The restaurant industry is eager to regain some sales ground after declines due to the recession, and they’re getting creative with food formats and meal times. Many chains are targeting unusual meal or snack times like post-happy hour eating and late breakfast snacks. Other restaurants are adding new small portion options for consumers looking for a less expensive purchase.
All franchisees must devise their own map to success, but some franchise operators are relying on sheer willpower. Perserverance has paid off for people like Denise and Tim Coulter, owners of nine Subway restaurants. They’ve dealt with challenges like not being able to take a personal paycheck for the first six years as they struggled to build profits.
The Food and Drug Administration’s new ruling on displaying menu calorie counts will soon be enforced. Many restaurants are choosing to add healthier and lower calorie foods or cutting current calorie counts before they must reveal the final numbers. Many chains, like IHOP, feature meals that offer over 1,000 calories on one plate.
Straw Hat Pizza is running a promotional deal on their famous Hot Hat Stuffed Sandwiches for the summer. All of the Hot Hat Sandwiches, first introduced in the 1970s, will be available for $5. This deal ends at the end of August. The Hot Hats are more than just sandwiches, and are modeled after calzones but are easier to hold while eating.
CNN says that regionally based European cuisine, such as Italian or Mediterranean foods, is one of the hottest trends in the restaurant industry this year. To fit this rising demand The Original Italian Pie chain is expanding. The chain was recently purchased by Big Game Brands and will soon be expanding throughout the Southeastern United States.
Johnny Rockets has added three new seasoned professionals to their company management team. David Kreizinger is now the new vice president of Finances, Brett Willis joins the team as vice president of Franchise Sales and Mike Chico is the manage of Facility Design. All three are responsible for working on both the company managed restaurants and franchised locations.
BUBBA Burgers are sold nationally as frozen packaged beef patties, but now you can enjoy a fresh BUBBA Burger at the Original BUBBA Burger Grill restaurant as well. The first location was opened recently in Jacksonville, Florida. Three more locations will open in the city before the end of the year and national expansion may occur over the next few years.
BJ’s Restaurant recently announced the opening of their most recent location. The new restaurant held its grand opening celebration on June 20th and expands the BJ’s brand to Las Vegas. The location seats nearly 300 guests and is part of the massive Centennial Center that boasts over one million square feet of dining and shopping.
Dickey’s Barbecue Pit will be adding a chain restaurant location in San Antonio, Texas soon. Franchisee Peter Do joins the company to expand the Texas based chain in its home state. Do lived in Michigan originally, but moved to San Antonio for a warmer climate and delicious barbecue. He chose the chain for its combination of great food and family friendly atmosphere.
Farmer Boys Restaurants, the company behind the Farmer Boys World’s Greatest Hamburgers chain, has hired a new chief financial officer. Judy Lewis has been working in the restaurant industry since she was 16, but she’s also well-educated in the world of business administration and finance. As CFO she’ll also be in charge of human resources and information technology.
