Follow the Map

Combining mapping technology with the internet and wireless services to change the way quick-service operates.

With communications technology advancing at a seemingly exponential pace, its applications for the quick-service industry are increasing at a similar rate. One new development from Vermont-based Maponics combines demographic information, dynamic web software, and old-fashioned maps to create a useful tool for future franchisees.

Maponics has developed new mapping software that uses Macromedia’s web-based Flash Player and demographic information collected by Maponics. The TrueVector Flash maps, as Maponics calls them, should change the way corporate quick-serves delineate territory to franchisees as TrueVector’s core technology allows franchisees to visualize the territory they want to operate in and provides endless options for customizable demographic information. TrueVector debuted in July 2006 and was first marketed to the real estate industry. Maponics is currently in discussion with several quick-service companies and hopes to move TrueVector into that industry as well.

Here’s how the system works: A franchisor would insert a TrueVector Flash map onto its web site. Prospective franchisees could then access a map of territory anywhere in the United States and, with a more sophisticated—and expensive—version of TrueVector, even zoom down to ZIP-code level. TrueVector keeps track of which franchisees operate in which areas and provides a host of demographic information relevant to the business with the map readout.

The benefit of the TrueVector technology is two-fold, according to Maponics’ Darrin Clement. First of all, it replaces traditional ZIP code web-based search tools that depend on users knowing what ZIP code they want to search for. TrueVector displays all updated ZIP code locations in an area so that prospective franchisees can have the entire picture. In addition, TrueVector “helps franchises visualize, choose, and reserve territories. The idea of a franchisee or agent signing up for a few ZIP codes of territory is common, but, without a map, it’s nearly impossible to know which ZIP codes are next to each other; nobody wants a territory with gaps in it,” Clement says.

TrueVector technology is available in two packages. RegionConnect allows users to zoom down to the county level while PropertyConnect enables ZIP-code level views and information. Clement estimates Property Connect products would start around $10,000, while RegionConnect products are priced in the $500 range.

Clement believes that the attractive nature of the colorful, zooming maps adds a certain wow factor that can draw attention. “A map is just so much cooler than a text box, and [web] sites know that cool translates into revenue because cool steals visitors from your competitors,” he says.

Besides providing a visualizing appealing, interactive, and effective way to divide up franchisee territory, TrueVector can be customized to display demographic information about the selected ZIP code or other areas. Because all TrueVector maps are customizable, Maponics can add almost any data set related to a selected county or ZIP code. Maponics offers clients updated demographic information for a fee of 50 percent of the cost of the original map application.

“We can embed any preset demographics our customers want. We offer regular updates. There are also custom packages that allow our TrueVector Flash maps to read in a customer’s data in real-time,” Clement explains.

A prospective franchisee, for example, could use TrueVector to scope out the details of literally any area of the country if the franchisor has a version of PropertyConnect set up on its web site. If the franchisee was interested in operating a store south of Atlanta, he or she could see immediately the population, median income, median age of customers, and number of competing concepts in the area.

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source: qsrmagazine.com

Baja Fresh Positioned for Growth and Expansion Throughout the United States and International Markets

THOUSAND OAKS, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--California-based Baja Fresh Mexican Grill, voted the Platinum award-winning Mexican Chain in America by Restaurants & Institutions, announced today Baja Fresh and La Salsa Fresh Mexican Grills have laid out strategic plans for growth and are poised for expansion throughout the United States and into International markets. Under new ownership, the company will focus its expansion efforts on strategic markets, including California, Nevada, Washington D.C., Missouri, Illinois, Georgia and Florida to name a few and on growing the company internationally.

“Baja Fresh and La Salsa are strategically focused on growing into new markets and on an international scale whether through franchise opportunities or new locations,” said James Walker, president of Baja Fresh. “With our new restaurant designs encompassing a smaller footprint, we are now able to deliver our product to the customer with the freshness and quality they expect without paying for excess space which is not being fully utilized. It is a win-win for all parties, the customer and us.”

In addition to its traditional approach to expansion, Baja Fresh has developed a new model restaurant that encompass a smaller footprint, allowing the company to enter new markets such as airports, colleges, and universities with new locations that encompass a mere 600 square feet. To help the company capitalize on these market opportunities, the company has recently partnered with HMSHost. Based on this relationship Baja Fresh is now the preferred fast casual Mexican food chain and is available as part of HMSHost’s airport and motorway operations across the United States. The initial outlets are slated for Los Angeles International Airport and the Pennsylvania Turnpike.

Baja Fresh and La Salsa are also focused on making locations more cost efficient and effective to aide in the company’s growth. Baja Fresh has downsized its restaurant design to approximately eighteen hundred square feet, twelve hundred square feet less than the original design.

Additionally, as part of its growth strategy, Baja Fresh and La Salsa will focus significant efforts on new franchise opportunities throughout the United States and in International markets. To help facilitate the growth of its franchise business, the company has instituted new policies to allow franchisees to have the option to open a single unit or multi-unit franchise locations.

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Fog Cutter Capital Group Inc. Opens Its First Fatburger Restaurant in China

PORTLAND, Ore.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Fog Cutter Capital Group Inc. (OTCBB:FCCG) has announced the opening of the company’s first Fatburger restaurant in China, located in the Venetian® Macao-Resort-Hotel.

Joining Fatburger in this venture is Grammy winning artist and producer Pharrell Williams. Williams, one half of the production duo The Neptunes and the lead singer and drummer of the funk-rock band N.E.R.D., has partnered with the chain to open Fatburger’s first 10 locations in China.

Additional Fatburger restaurants are scheduled to open in Hong Kong in the coming months: the first on Queens Road East and the second at Jia Hotel in Causeway Bay in early 2008. Fatburger also plans to open a Beijing location at Solana – the city’s first lifestyle center – in April 2008. Fatburger estimates call for approximately 25 locations in China by the end of 2010, all company-owned. Additional sites on the horizon include further locations in Hong Kong, Macao, Shenzen, Beijing and Shanghai. Customers will enjoy Fatburger favorites, including imported, fresh, 100 percent pure lean beef burgers, homemade onion rings made from scratch each morning and hand-scooped real ice cream shakes.

Founded in Los Angeles, California in 1952, the Fatburger restaurant chain has 90 restaurants serving big, fresh, 100 percent pure lean beef burgers custom made and grilled right in front of customers in Arizona, California, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Nevada, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Texas, Virginia, Washington, Canada and now in Macao. Based in Santa Monica, California, the company is actively seeking new franchisees for available territories across the nation. Fatburger is a subsidiary of Fog Cutter Capital Group Inc. (OTCBB: FCCG). For more information, or to find a Fatburger restaurant near you, go to www.fatburger.com.

Forward Looking Statements

Certain statements contained herein may not be based on historical facts and are “Forward-Looking Statements” within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Forward-Looking Statements are based on various assumptions (some of which are beyond the Company’s control) and may be identified by reference to a future period or periods, or by the use of forward-looking terminology, such as “may,” “will,” “believe,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “continue,” or similar terms or variations on those terms, or the negative of those terms. Actual results could differ materially from those set forth in Forward-Looking Statements due to a variety of factors, including, but not limited to the following:

* economic factors, particularly in the market areas in which the Company operates;
* the financial and securities markets and the availability of and costs associated with sources of liquidity;
* competitive products and pricing;
* the real estate market;
* the ability to maintain liquidity;
* fiscal and monetary policies of the U.S. Government;
* changes in prevailing interest rates;
* changes in currency exchange rates;
* acquisitions and the integration of acquired businesses;
* performance of retail/consumer markets, including consumer preferences and concerns;
* effective expansion of the Company’s restaurants in new and existing markets;
* profitability and success of franchisee restaurants;
* availability of quality real estate locations for restaurant expansion;
* the market for the Company’s products;
* credit risk management; and
* asset/liability management.

Except as may be required by law, the Company does not undertake, and specifically disclaims any obligation, to publicly release the results of any revisions which may be made to any Forward-Looking Statements to reflect the occurrence of anticipated or unanticipated events or circumstances after the date of such statements.

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source: qsrmagazine.com

Focus Brands Changes Leadership

2007-11-07 — FOCUS Brands, the franchisor and operator of more than 2,100 ice cream stores, bakeries, restaurants, and cafes under the brand names Carvel , Cinnabon, Schlotzsky's, Moe's Southwest Grill, and Seattle's Best Coffee International, announced today the promotions of Greg Regian to Chief Marketing Officer, Mike Shattuck to Senior Vice President of International, Jocelyn Blain to Senior Vice President of Development Services, Kathryn Rookes to Senior Vice President of Legal, and Jim Salerno to Vice President of Carvel Operations.

"We are proud to recognize these outstanding individuals," says FOCUS Brands' President and CEO Steve Romaniello. "These seasoned executives have brought exceptionally strong franchise expertise and leadership skills to FOCUS Brands, and I look forward to them playing even greater roles as we continue to grow into a national and international player."

Greg Regian, Chief Marketing Officer

Greg Regian came to Schlotzsky's in May 2005 to manage the Company's branding and marketing efforts. With more than 30 years of marketing and advertising experience, Greg has won more than 200 national, regional, and local industry honors through his roles as strategist, executive creative director, and writer. Since joining the Schlotzsky's team, he has played an integral role in developing some of the brand's most successful promotions, including the Angus Beef Round-Up and the Winning Combination Summer Promotion. In his new role, he will lead FOCUS Brands' domestic marketing, brand strategy, and communication effort across all of our brands.

Mike Shattuck, Senior Vice President of International

As the 2007 recipient of the FOCUS Brands Leadership Award, Mike Shattuck brings more than 30 years of foodservice knowledge and 25 years of international development experience to the company. Before joining the Cinnabon and Seattle's Best Coffee International families in 2000, he worked in a variety of operations positions at companies such as Burger Chef, Hardee's and Popeye's Fried Chicken. In his new role, Mike will lead all aspects of FOCUS Brands' international operations for all of our concepts.

Jocelyn Blain, Senior Vice President of Development Services

Jocelyn Blain was named vice president of development services in November 2004 to lead the real estate and store development teams of Carvel and Cinnabon. Prior to joining FOCUS Brands, Jocelyn was with Cinnabon where she led the development services team since 2000. She has held design and construction project management positions with Church's Chicken and the restaurant division of PepsiCo, where she completed the initial designs for the Taco Bell-KFC co-brand in 1993. An architect by profession, Jocelyn has over 20 years' experience in the design-build industry. In her new role, Jocelyn will lead all aspects of FOCUS Brands' development, including franchise sales, real estate, store development, and concept development.

Kathryn Rookes, Senior Vice President of Legal

Kathryn Rookes joined Carvel in 2002 as vice president of legal. With over 17 years of experience as a franchise attorney, Kathryn is one of only two known franchise attorneys in the United States who has served as in-house counsel, outside counsel, and as part of a government regulatory agency. She is also a Certified Public Accountant. In her new role, Kathryn will continue to oversee franchise administration as well as legal services.

Jim Salerno, Vice President of Carvel Operations

Jim Salerno joined Carvel in 1998 as a District Manager, and grew his responsibilities through the years including positions as a Franchise Consultant, Regional Director, and Regional Vice President. Prior to Carvel, Jim held various operations, training, and human resources positions with Hilton Hotels, Uno Restaurant Corp, and Nathan's Famous. In his new role, Jim will oversee all aspects of Carvel's franchise operations function.

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source: qsrmagazine.com

Taco Bueno Expands its Footprint with a Nine Store Development Agreement in Kentucky and Indiana

DALLAS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Mexican quick-service restaurant chain Taco Bueno announced today that it has entered into an agreement with Louisville, Kentucky-based Bueno Development Group Louisville, LLC and Dallas real estate developer Clint Haggard to develop a minimum of nine Taco Bueno restaurants in the Louisville DMA, which includes parts of southern Indiana. The team plans to open the restaurants within five years, the first in Jeffersonville, Indiana, during the first quarter of 2008. This new agreement will bring nearly 300 jobs to the Louisville area.

Kelly Kuhlmann was named CEO of Bueno Development Group Louisville, LLC. Kuhlmann is a former restaurant executive and multi-unit operator for a large Midwestern restaurant group.

“I am extremely excited to introduce the Taco Bueno brand to new markets across the country,” Kuhlmann said. “It’s hands-down the best product in the industry – I’m a Buenohead for life.”

For Haggard, entering into a new market comes after having been instrumental in the development and management of commercial and residential areas throughout North Dallas.

“I’ve eaten at Taco Bueno every week since 1985,” Haggard said. “Once they started franchising, I knew it was at the top of my list for the next venture.”

“Kuhlmann and Haggard bring together two very important attributes that Taco Bueno looks for when considering the right franchisee—real estate savvy and success in operating multiple units,” said Jeff Seeberger, Vice President of Franchising for Taco Bueno. “As we move forward with our aggressive expansion, we will continue to look for top-flight owner-operators who will help our company become the formidable super-regional player we envision.”

As the quick-service Mexican food chain turns the corner on 40 years, it continues to expand its footprint across the U.S. with its franchise development program. Since the program began in 2005, the company has opened more than 20 restaurants in Arkansas, New Mexico, Missouri, Nebraska, and the Carolinas.

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Real Estate Designers offers totally innovative solutions for your software development, Internet programming, real estate web design and hosting needs. Our service includes domain name registration and real estate web design. Real Estate Designers provides the complete solution including design, application development and marketing.

source: qsrmagazine.com