Schlotzsky's: Difference between revisions
No edit summary |
→History: removing adspeak |
||
| Line 16: | Line 16: | ||
==History== |
==History== |
||
Don and Dolores Dissman founded the company in [[1971]] in [[Austin, Texas]]<ref name=auschron>{{cite web |url=http://www.austinchronicle.com/gyrobase/Issue/story?oid=oid%3A232204 |title=Original History |publisher=[[Austin Chronicle]] |date=2004-10-08 |last=Smith |first=Amy |accessdate=2008-10-15}}</ref> in a small shop along S. Congress Avenue. The initial [[menu]] consisted of one sandwich - an 8-inch [[muffuletta]] stuffed with three [[meat]]s, [[cheese]]s, lettuce, tomato, [[olive]]s, and dressing served on hot, freshly-made [[toast]]ed [[sourdough]] bread. Modeled after the muffulettas they discovered in an Italian grocery store in [[New Orleans]]’ French Quarter, the Original® sandwich (at |
Don and Dolores Dissman founded the company in [[1971]] in [[Austin, Texas]]<ref name=auschron>{{cite web |url=http://www.austinchronicle.com/gyrobase/Issue/story?oid=oid%3A232204 |title=Original History |publisher=[[Austin Chronicle]] |date=2004-10-08 |last=Smith |first=Amy |accessdate=2008-10-15}}</ref> in a small shop along S. Congress Avenue. The initial [[menu]] consisted of one sandwich - an 8-inch [[muffuletta]] stuffed with three [[meat]]s, [[cheese]]s, lettuce, tomato, [[olive]]s, and dressing served on hot, freshly-made [[toast]]ed [[sourdough]] bread. Modeled after the muffulettas they discovered in an Italian grocery store in [[New Orleans]]’ French Quarter, the Original® sandwich (priced at $2.95) was an instant hit. [[Image:Schlotzskys 2005.jpg|thumb|left|THE ORIGINAL<sup>TM</sup>, Schlotzsky's famous sandwich]] |
||
The uniquely named company – called Schlotzsky’s for no particular reason – quickly became a favorite in South [[Austin]]. Targeting hungry college students, the Dissmans decided to open their second restaurant in Dobie Mall just a few years later. In [[1977]], the couple began franchising their unique concept, and Schlotzsky’s quickly became a Southeastern favorite. |
The uniquely named company – called Schlotzsky’s for no particular reason – quickly became a favorite in South [[Austin]]. Targeting hungry college students, the Dissmans decided to open their second restaurant in Dobie Mall just a few years later. In [[1977]], the couple began franchising their unique concept, and Schlotzsky’s quickly became a Southeastern favorite. |
||
Revision as of 04:39, 25 April 2011
| File:Schlotzsky logo.png | |
| Company type | Wholly owned subsidiary |
|---|---|
| Industry | Quick-casual restaurant |
| Founded | 1971 |
| Headquarters | 301 Congress Downtown Austin, Texas |
| Products | Sandwiches, wraps, pizza, soups, salads, desserts |
| Parent | FOCUS Brands |
| Website | www.schlotzskys.com |
Schlotzsky's is a privately held franchise chain of restaurants, famous for their Fresh-from-Scratch bread and their signature sandwich, The Original®. Headquartered in Downtown Austin, Texas, Schlotzsky's has more than 350 franchised and company-owned locations worldwide and is enjoyed in Turkey, China, Saudi Arabia,South Africa, Costa Rica, Jordan and Kuwait. Most of the locations are across the south and southwestern United States.
History
Don and Dolores Dissman founded the company in 1971 in Austin, Texas[1] in a small shop along S. Congress Avenue. The initial menu consisted of one sandwich - an 8-inch muffuletta stuffed with three meats, cheeses, lettuce, tomato, olives, and dressing served on hot, freshly-made toasted sourdough bread. Modeled after the muffulettas they discovered in an Italian grocery store in New Orleans’ French Quarter, the Original® sandwich (priced at $2.95) was an instant hit.
The uniquely named company – called Schlotzsky’s for no particular reason – quickly became a favorite in South Austin. Targeting hungry college students, the Dissmans decided to open their second restaurant in Dobie Mall just a few years later. In 1977, the couple began franchising their unique concept, and Schlotzsky’s quickly became a Southeastern favorite.
By 1981, the company had 100 franchise stores and $18 million in sales. Real Estate investors, John and Jeff Wooley and Gary Bradley purchased the company for less than $3 million. Bradley split with the Wooleys in 1982. Bradley took the real estate business and the Wooleys kept Schlotzsky's.
In 1983, Schlotzsky's hosted the first-ever Bun Run 5K in Austin. The race is now the longest-running 5K in the city and all proceeds from the event benefit the YMBL Austin Sunshine Camps.
The Wooleys expanded Schlotzsky's menu to include panini, specialty pizzas, toasted wraps, freshly tossed salads, gourmet soups, and other items.[2] In 1988, Schlotzsky’s introduced their Fresh-from-Scratch® products to Canada – their first restaurant outside the U.S. The Wooleys also took the company public on December 15, 1995, trading as BUNZ on NASDAQ until 2004. [3]
The chain peaked in 2001 with 759 stores[4] and over $400 million in sales, when same store sales started to plateau. Schlotzsky's was purchased by Bobby Cox Companies in 2004, ending Schlotzsky's nine years as a public company. Under new ownership and management, Schlotzsky’s spent two years strengthening its franchise operations and reinvigorating the brand. On November 17, 2006, the company was purchased by FOCUS Brands, which brought stability and continued efforts to expand the brand and clearly define the concept’s niche and overall identity.
On November 21, 2006, Schlotzsky's was acquired by FOCUS Brands, an affiliate of private equity firm Roark Capital Group, parent company of Moe's Southwest Grill, Carvel, Cinnabon and Auntie Anne's.[5] In December 2007, Kelly Roddy was named President, bringing years of experience from his time with H-E-B Grocery Company. Since then, Schlotzsky's has launched rebranding efforts, which include a new restaurant design featuring vibrant colors, playful slogans, contemporary furniture and artwork, and a partnership with sister company Cinnabon that offers franchisees two brands under one roof. Schlotzsky's also introduced a new service model where crew members hand-deliver food to the tables. Everything, from tables and chairs to circular-themed local photography featuring tongue-in-cheek phrases is contemporary and … round.
Initiatives for 2011 include a systemwide reimage, the addition of Cinnabon to numerous locations and national marketing campaign to celebrate Schlotzsky's 40th anniversary.
Bun Run
Headquarters
Schlotzsky's is headquartered in the 301 Congress building in Downtown Austin, Texas.[6]
Before being headquartered at 301 Congress, Schlotzsky's had its headquarters at 203 Colorado in Downtown Austin.[7]
Slogan
Current slogans are "Every Bite Lotz Better" and "Lotz Better". Previous slogans are "Funny Name. Serious Sandwich" and "Just one sandwich, it's that good.
References
- ^ Smith, Amy (2004-10-08). "Original History". Austin Chronicle. Retrieved 2008-10-15.
- ^ Can Schlotzsky's Be Saved?, Austin Chronicle, October 8, 2004.
- ^ The Life of a Sandwich, Austin Chronicle, October 8, 2004.
- ^ Schlotzsky's new owners want to simplify, Austin American-Statesman, January 11, 2005.
- ^ Focus Brands buying Schlotzsky's, Austin Business Journal, November 20, 2006.
- ^ "Contact Us." Schlotzsky's. Retrieved on February 25, 2010.
- ^ "Company." Schlotzsky's. May 11, 2000. Retrieved on May 6, 2010.
