Applebee’s President Mike Archer says that adding new and exciting menu items has turned the chain around. When it was purchased in 2007 by the IHOP chain, DineEquity was formed. The new company noticed that 30% of lost return customers left because of food or menu issues. New items were added on a two month schedule and the American cuisine chain has seen a big rise in repeat sales.
Popeyes Louisiana Chicken is bringing in new health conscious consumers with a new Louisiana Leaux menu. All of these special menu items offer lower calorie counts, fat and sodium content without sacrificing taste. A new healthier kid’s meal, the return of the Naked Chicken Tenders and new sides like applesauce and green beans are all part of the program.
The co-founder of the Friendly Ice Cream Corporation, S. Prestley Blake, has written a new book. “A Friendly Life”, a the autobiography that details the founding of the Friendly’s restaurant chain with his brother Curtis L. Blake. He wanted to share his story of success in business that was based on ethics and hard work.
Somewhere between 90 and 25 percent of restaurants fail in their first year, and by the end of three years 60 percent are gone. Restaurants may seem easy to run from the outside, but new restaurant owners struggle to attract new customers and keep profits above their debts. Even in towns with motivated diners starting a new restaurant brand from scratch is difficult.
Ralph Desiano worked for 25 years in the food industry before opening his own restaurant. He had detailed layouts and menus written up nearly a decade before signing a lease. This proved to be a path to success for the owner of Naples Flatbread & Wine Bar, who opened a second location just months after the opening of the first.
Hurricane Grill & Wings celebrated a period of rapid growth and expansion with their Annual Franchise Conference. It was held this past weekend in Ponte Verde Beach, Florida. New franchisees and tenured restaurant operators listened to inspiring guest speakers and discussed their methods for succeeding in a recession.
Two new locations are about to be added to the Scooter’s Coffeehouse chain, according to the parent company Boundless Enterprises. The first store will be opened in Lincoln, Nebraska. The second will be located in St. Peters, Missouri. Both will be opened by franchisees that already own and operate Scooter’s locations.
July 4th is a major family holiday, but many families are foregoing the traditional cookout and going out to eat instead. The Bill Johnson’s Big Apple restaurant in Phoenix is inviting everyone to their BBQ Blowout event this weekend. It begins on the 4th of July and runs through Sunday. Menu items like pork ribs and spicy hot links will be sold at a discounted price.
The week leading up to the Independence Day celebration is also an important time for Bill Johnson’s Big Apple Restaurant. The restaurant has teamed up with Local First Arizona to create the Independents Week celebration. Consumers who pledge to support the local economy will receive a discount on their meals.
