Chain Innovators
This section spotlights the most innovative foodservice chain concepts.
Chain Innovators: Extreme Pizza
- Published on Friday, July 01, 2011
Extreme Pizza's take-and-bake business was launched in 1994 and didn't take off as anticipated — and after six months company founder Todd Parent was not above tweaking the concept.
Chain Innovators: Culver’s Frozen Custard and ButterBurgers
- Published on Friday, July 01, 2011
A Midwest staple, Culver's has spread its wings in recent years to cover 19 states. Its basic formula — friendly, fast-casual service; burgers grilled to order, home-style dinners and frozen custard — has put this small-town company in the ring with much larger competitors.
Chain Innovators: Moe’s Southwest Grill
- Published on Friday, July 01, 2011
Despite a tough year in terms of both real estate and franchisee financing, Moe's ended 2010 with revenues up 8 percent, 30 new units opened and comp-store sales ahead by 5.4 percent. Significantly bigger gains in both sales and units are expected this year, says president Paul Damico, thanks to a combination of menu innovation, ongoing promotions and a major new positioning campaign.
Chain Innovators: Firehouse Subs
- Published on Wednesday, June 01, 2011
Firehouse Subs is hot, posting double-digit revenue and unit increases last year with even bigger gains anticipated this year. Don Fox, chief executive officer, credits the surge in part to loosening of credit markets, which enabled it to open 43 stores last year and 30 as of mid-May this year, with another 50 to 70 to be added by year's end.
