Kenny Rogers Roasters
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This article needs references that appear in reliable third-party publications. Primary sources or sources affiliated with the subject are generally not sufficient for a Wikipedia article. Please add more appropriate citations from reliable sources. (June 2007) |
| Kenny Rogers Roasters | |
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| Type | Restaurant chain |
| Founded | 1991 |
| Owner | Berjaya Group[1] |
| Structure | Franchise |
| Area served | Philippines; Asia; minor U.S. presence |
| No. of locations | 37 (Philippines only)[2] |
| Slogan | "For Deliciously Healthy Food." |
| Website | www.kennyrogers.cc (requires Adobe Flash) |
Kenny Rogers Roasters is a chicken restaurant that was started in 1991 in the United States by country music musician Kenny Rogers and former Kentucky governor John Y. Brown, Jr., who had also owned Kentucky Fried Chicken from 1964 to 1971. The menu was originally centered on wood-fired rotisserie chicken. Kenny Rogers Roasters now operates primarily in Asia.
[edit] History
By 1995, the menu had expanded to include turkey, ribs, and various side dishes, and the chain had expanded to over 350 restaurants, including locations in Canada, the Middle East, and Asia. The establishment became so well known an entire episode of Seinfeld was dedicated to Kramer's love of Kenny Rogers Roasters chicken.
Kenny Rogers Roasters went into Chapter 11 bankruptcy and was bought by Nathan's Famous, Inc. for US$1.25 million[3] (US$2 million in more recent terms) on 1 April 1999; as a result of restructuring, many locations closed. By 2000, the chain was down to 90 franchised restaurants, 40 of those in the United States.[3]
Nathan's Famous divested itself of the chain in 2008, selling it to their Asian franchiser,[4] which is owned by Berjaya Group of Malaysia.[1] At the time there was only one Kenny Rogers Roasters still operating in the United States, located in the Ontario Mills mall in Ontario, California. The 2008 purchase agreement allows for the continued operation of this location,[5] and allows Nathan's Famous and Miami Subs to continue selling Kenny Rogers Roasters items in their restaurants.[6] Nathan's continues to serve Kenny Rogers Roasters items in select locations, such as its flagship location on Coney Island,[7] and Miami Subs (since sold off by Nathan's) also has a "Kenny Rogers" section on their menu.[8]
Despite the chain's steep decline in the United States, Kenny Rogers Roasters continues to flourish in Asia, particularly in the Philippines[9] and Malaysia.
[edit] References
- ^ a b "Berjaya Group Berhad - Group Structures - Food & Beverages". Berjaya Group. 2009-09-08. http://www.berjaya.com/food.htm. Retrieved 2009-11-03.
- ^ "Branches". Philippines: Kenny Rogers Roasters. http://www.kennys.com.ph/locations.php. Retrieved 2009-11-03.
- ^ a b Frumkin, Paul (March 27, 2000). "Nathan's is red-hot for growth, serves up diversity with new brands". Nation's Restaurant News. New York City: Lebhar-Friedman, Inc.. http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m3190/is_13_34/ai_61492451/. Retrieved 2009-11-03.
- ^ Kenny Rogers Roasters Purchase Agreement, TechAgreements. Retrieved on 2009-06-29
- ^ Section 2.13(a) of Kenny Rogers Roasters Purchase Agreement, TechAgreements. Retrieved on 2009-06-29
- ^ Section 2.13(c) of Kenny Rogers Roasters Purchase Agreement, TechAgreements. Retrieved on 2009-06-29
- ^ Dinner at Kenny Rogers Roasters on Coney Island. Fast Food NYC. Retrieved on 2009-06-29.
- ^ Miami Subs Grill Menu via Miami Subs website. Last updated 18 November 2008. Retrieved on 2009-11-03.
- ^ Official Philippine site
[edit] External links
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