Schlotzsky's refuses defeat, vows Tulsa expansion

[sgrizzle]

http://www.journalrecord.com/article.cfm?recID=82750

quote:
Schlotzsky's plans 16 new Oklahoma stores
October 17, 2007
OKLAHOMA CITY – As part of a nationwide expansion, sandwich chain Schlotzsky's plans to expand its presence in Oklahoma City and Tulsa in the coming years.
There are currently seven stores in Oklahoma City and three in Tulsa.
Schlotzsky's, which was purchased by FOCUS Brands Inc. in the past year, aims to open 16 new Oklahoma stores over the next five years.
The company began in Austin, Texas, in 1971 and has changed hands several times over the years.
Nationwide the company is looking to add 50 new restaurants a year. There are currently more than 350 of the restaurants in 35 states and six foreign countries.
Other states set for new restaurants include Texas, Georgia, Colorado, Arizona, Tennessee, North Carolina, South Carolina, Missouri and Virginia.
D'Wayne Tanner, vice president of franchise sales for Schlotzsky's, said the company is putting a particular emphasis on expansion in the center of the country.
"Texas and Oklahoma are areas where we've experienced tremendous successes over the years," he said. "It just makes a lot of sense for us to continue to build where we have a bit of density and expand the brand and the brand name."
And while under previous ownership Tanner said the brand had stalled at times, the focus will be to restore the Schlotzsky's as a strong and resilient chain.
The company is also seeking franchisees in its expansion areas.
The franchise fee for each restaurant is $30,000 and the investment to own and operate one of the shops is between $400,000 and $550,000.

[Conan71]

I like a good Schlotzsky sandwich.  For some reason though, they don't seem to have any staying power in this market.  Maybe they might want to consider avoiding "retail hell" on 71st St. this time.  I'd love to have one mid-town.

[NellieBly]

I miss the one on 11th Street.

[ttownclown]

I miss the one downtown.

[Ibanez]

quote:Originally posted by ttownclown

I miss the one downtown.

Same here. Several of us would eat there at least twice a week.

We tended to bounce between there, Tabouli's, Ike's, and Billy's.

[YoungTulsan]

They had one on Brookside too, I believe where Senior Tequila is now.

Seems odd hearing they want to add stores after closing so many.

[sgrizzle]

The ones in Tulsa were franchises from the Ramsey family. Maybe the new owners of Schlotszky's are re-evaluating their franchise agreements.

[Book of Three]

I can taste their warm roast beef on sour dough right now...  However, I am bit confused by the article which makes it sound like they have been successful in Tulsa before.  They have been successful at opening and closing a number of shops in record time, but have not, from what I can recall, been successful at making any money and staying open.

[inteller]

check out the one at 101st/memorial any sunday, that place is packed.

[mdunn]

I lived up in Minneapolis for 3 years,drove 30 miles cause I seen they had one....got there and it was a Arbys!!Damn Yankees couldnt handle a shlotztkys!So I got a Super Roast beef!