Cover Story: Support System
Chairman and CEO Martin Sprock has positioned Raving Brands and its eight fast-casual concepts for national expansion. His franchisee-friendly formula includes free operational support and leveraging his successful concepts to secure A locations for the others. With 465 units across the eight brands, the company expects to grow unit totals to 1,200 to 1,500 by 2008.
Storyboard:Into the Blues Famous Dave’s new ad campaign uses blues music to highlight its authentic barbecue. With Texas Slim and the Love Machine singing in the background, the new commercials feature dishes like catfish and ribs as well as the chain’s many regional barbecue styles.
Restauratour: Work in Progress
Located near the University of Delaware, California Tortilla’s first two-story restaurant gives off a carnival vibe. The walls are painted orange, lime green and yellow. And chili-pepper lights hang from the black ceiling. The unit brings California Tortilla one step closer to a standard prototype—crucial as it steps up expansion.
Toque Of The Town: Building on Tradition
Director of Quality Assurance Doug Hetherington is mixing Olga’s Kitchen’s classic Mediterranean recipes with new ingredients and cooking techniques. Spinach pies and gyros now stand alongside original creations like a deep-fried, phyllo-covered cheesecake and white bean chicken chili, prompting a jump in the average check and systemwide sales.
Liquid Measure: Creative Juices
Juice It Up is using exotic fruits full of antioxidants and fresh-squeezed juices to reinforce its “healthy” image as it expands. Its Brazilian Blends line features the acai berry and acerola cherry. Meanwhile the new Healthyway Juices combine fresh-squeezed vegetable and fruit juices that go beyond the usual orange, carrot and apple.
Road Trip: Growing Up
With small-town tradition and major urban amenities, Charlotte, N.C., is one of the fastest-growing cities in the Southeast. Chris Ivens-Brown, vice president of culinary development at Compass Group North America, gives Chain Leader a tour of the sophisticated restaurants that call Charlotte home.
Human Assets: Latin Influence
Consolidated Restaurant Operations and its franchisees are finding that tapping the growing Hispanic labor pool helps them better recruit and retain talent at its Cantina Laredo and El Chico locations.
On The Money: Performance Enhancing
Cover Society: Jon Luther Talks About the Best of Times
