Just when you thought that you couldn't find one more burger chain out there, here comes another-and a really good one too! The secret? If the meat is awesome, and the buns and bread fresh, one can make a very creative and outstanding burger. Especially if one understands what the consumer and the franchisee want. The franchisee wants to partner up with a franchisor who "gets it"--and the best way to do that is find someone like Michael Ansley who is not only the CEO, founder and franchisor of Bagger Dave's Legendary Burger Tavern but is also a multi-unit franchisee of Buffalo Wild Wings. Who would know more the challenges facing franchisees? And the customer? They just want that delicious food-hot and fresh in a nice environment at a decent price point. Do that and you got yourself a winner! Nice work Michael and team.
Spilt hot coffee, nuggets shaped like a chicken's head, and now this! What and who will we blame next for our woes? McDonald's employees applied there for a reason. It's a job, yes minimum wage but it's a start. In these times kids and even older adults should be happy to be employed anywhere. Check out last weekend's NY Times Magazine feature called Hello Cruel World about the class of 2011 college grads who cannot find a job anywhere--even as a barrista.
Someone, somewhere will always play the victim and of course a very successful franchisor makes a great target. I have some advice for this hooker who blames McDonald's for her career. Don't forget to get their low-cal meals from now on--you are going to need to stay in shape :-)
This blogger is off to NYC for birthday celebration so won't be posting tomorrow--have a great weekend all.
Hats still off to Debbie Moss and her amazing team that make the IFA annual convention so cool--I can only guesstimate that there were upwards of 2500 people at this event in Orlando Feb. 11-14 but they make it look easy. An APP that we could download this year and last is BEYOND convenient. You can see at a glance where and when everything is going to be happening then just click on what you want to attend and it makes a little calendar for you. Wish they had that the year I slept through the First-Timers Reception which I was an Ambassador to!! Jim Amos, CEO of Tasti D-Lite, pictured to the left, received the Hall of Fame award, the highest honor one can receive in franchising. Although he left me out of his thank you speech :-) I still adore him and it seems most everyone else does too. No dry eyes in the house as a fantastic video of his young years was viewed along with his military accomplishments and then business. A terrific gala topped the program off with The Franchise All-Star Band (franchise people with REAL talent) and a song dedicated to ME-Unchained Melody sung by the incredible Ron Taylor of Sandler Sales Institute.
First Watch is growing far beyond its Florida roots. Last week Nation’s Restaurant News reported on the chain’s nationwide expansion plans including recently inked deals for Nashville and Milwaukee.
The country’s largest and fastest-growing, privately owned, daytime-only restaurant company in the United States plans to grow to 115 restaurants, with about a dozen franchised locations open and more than 30 in various stages of development by the end of 2012.
The chain of casual eateries, known best for inspiring menu items such as carrot cake pancakes and the signature, Crepeggs, has enjoyed positive same-store sales growth for 25 consecutive years. Total sales were $83 million in 2009 and $89 million in 2010. Average unit volume is approximately $1.2 million per year.
While annual sales for First Watch have continued to grow despite the recession, other concepts have been hit hard by a decline in the lunch daypart. Packaged Facts said that after a 4% decline in 2009 and another 3% decline in 2010, lunch daypart sales are set to pick up in 2011 which bodes well for the continued success of First Watch.