Schlotzsky’s-Cinnabon opens in Jonesboro, AR!

 

There’s a new Schlotzsky’s-Cinnabon coming to Jonesboro, AR on Tuesday, November 19. Doors open at 10 a.m., and get there early, because the first 100 people to purchase a Cinnabon 6-Pack will get FREE Schlotzsky’s for a year. That’s one FREE small The Original sandwich each week for 52 weeks! We’ll have lots of fun games and other prizes to giveaway all day. Don’t miss it!

1605 Stadium Blvd., Jonesboro, AR

(870) 336-0660

*One small The Original sandwich per week at this location for 52 consecutive weeks commencing on November 19, 2013 and expiring on November 19, 2014. Only valid for persons 18 years or older. Offer valid only at the Jonesboro Schlotzsky’s.

Schlotzsky’s-Cinnabon opens in Corsicana, TX

 

Don’t miss the grand opening of the new Schlotzsky’s-Cinnabon in Corsicana, TX on Thursday, June 27. Doors open at 10am and the first 100 people to purchase a Cinnabon 6-Pack will get free Schlotzsky’s for a year. We’ll have lots of fun games and prizes, so get there early!

3101 Mountain Drive

903-641-2867

*One small The Original sandwich per week at this location for 52 consecutive weeks commencing on June 27, 2013 and expiring on June 27, 2014. Only valid for persons 18 years or older. Offer valid only at the Corsicana Schlotzsky’s.

Schlotzsky’s-Cinnabon-Carvel Opens in Suwanee, GA!

 

Get your buns to our new Schlotzsky’s-Cinnabon-Carvel in Suwanee at 2941 Lawrenceville-Suwanee Road!  Doors open at 11am on Thursday, May 2. First 100 people to buy a Cinnabon 6-Pack will get FREE Schlotzsky’s each week for a YEAR! Join our Bun & Fun eClub and you could be one of 50 people to win free Schlotzsky’s each month for a year. The day will be full of fun, games, prizes and more. Don’t miss out!

*One small The Original sandwich per week at this location for 52 consecutive weeks commencing on May 2, 2013 and expiring on May 2, 2014. Only valid for persons 18 years or older. Offer valid only at the Suwanee Schlotzsky’s. 

FOX 17 in Nashville talks Free Tax Day Offers

The free Tax Day offers from Schlotzsky’s and Cinnabon are featured in this news clip from FOX 17 in Nashville. Visit participating Schlotzsky’s locations in Tax, purchase a 32oz. drink and chips and get a small The Original sandwich for FREE! Stop into Cinnabon on Tax Day between 6pm and 8pm and get two FREE Cinnabon Bites!

Schlotzsky’s-Cinnabon-Carvel opens first restaurant in New Jersey

 

Our first restaurant in New Jersey is scheduled to open on Sunday, March 24 at 10am! Join us for all-day giveaways and a chance to spin the wheel for various prizes. Join the eClub on opening day and you’ll have the chance to win an iPad Mini. Schlotzsky’s will also reward the first 100 patrons who purchase a CinnaPack™ of six Cinnabon^® Classic rolls with free Schlotzsky’s or Cinnabon for a year.

The fun doesn’t stop on opening day! During the opening week, the New Jersey Schlotzsky’s will support the brand’s national cause, JDRF, by donating 5% of proceeds to the organization.

Date: Sunday, March 24

Time: 10am

Address: 39 Nathaniel Place in the Englewood ShopRite Plaza

*One small The Original sandwich per week at this location for 52 consecutive weeks commencing on March 24, 2013 and expiring on March 25, 2014. Only valid for persons 18 years or older. Offer valid only at the Englewood, NJ Schlotzsky’s.

Schlotzsky’s comeback story: The days of bankruptcy are long gone

 

February 4, 2013 – Cherryh Butler

Everybody loves a good comeback story, and if Hollywood were to feature one about a restaurant as opposed to an underdog sports team, Schlotzsky’s would be the star. After all, what’s more inspiring than a brand reclaiming a top spot in the industry less than a decade after filing bankruptcy? That story belongs to Schlotzsky’s President Kelly Roddy, the man who took over in 2007, and helped the nearly extinct chain to accomplish seven years in a row of positive comps. It’s also enjoying a huge growth spurt, opening 30 units in the past two years with plans to open at least 50 more this year.

“All round, Lotz better”

While most brands struggling to regain relevancy tend to overhaul their entire menu, Schlotzsky’s left it alone for the most part except for changing the salads — they’re fresh now — and a few other menu additions. Instead of changing the food, Roddy decided to concentrate on updating the look and feel of the brand. What sets Schlotzsky’s apart from competitors, he said, is serving sandwiches on made-from-scratch, round buns, as opposed to the subs served in most restaurants. Those round buns inspired the chain’s design element and new tagline, “All round, Lotz better.” (Click here to see photos of the new design.)

“It’s our brand filter, our promise to do everything better,” Roddy said.

The first unit to get the redesign was in Waco, Texas, in 2009, because if it worked there, “We knew it would work anywhere. Circles are just a cool design and you see them everywhere from on the walls to the lamp shades to our cups and bags,” Roddy said. “When you see a circle, we want you to think Schlotzsky’s.”

The design also incorporated fresh, modern colors, including apple green, sky blue and bright red mixed with some earth tones.

“It’s just a cool, hip look,” he said.

When sales increased at the Waco unit by 45 percent, Roddy and his team knew they were onto something and began building all the new units with the new look. They still had 350 “old” stores, however, that needed updated. They went to work planning how to use their marketing dollars to retrofit the other stores. It took a few years, but now nearly every unit has new paint inside and out, new signage, packaging and road signs.

Better service

Although customers still order at the counter, Schlotzsky’s staff bring their food to their tables. In the past, guests waited for their numbers to be called and had to fetch their orders.

“It’s now more of a sit down and relax atmosphere, and we’ve removed the clutter with the numbers,” Roddy said. “We also added more soft seating instead of mainly just hard chairs. There’s more booths and nice lighting. It feels more like a casual dining experience.”

The food comes on china as opposed to paper products, which also upgrades the experience.

Branding together

The chain also found another way to increase sales; it added a Cinnabon Express to about 200 of its locations, and 30 units now house Carvel Ice Cream units.

“When we add these brands, we are more of a complete package,” Roddy said. “We may be selling ice cream to one out of 10 customers during the day, but it’s more about creating family events at night. It helps bring in more families. We’ve seen a nice little bump in the Carvel stores at dinner.”

Cinnabon, which sees half its sales as take out, also encourages guests to spend more money.

“They’ll stop in for lunch and then grab Cinnabon to go,” Roddy said. “It’s a very inexpensive way to put in another national brand and bring in customers.”

Looking ahead

Schlotzsky’s is in full growth mode, said Roddy, who predicts the spurt won’t stall anytime soon. The chain, which has a presence throughout the States, has sold more agreements in Texas and Oklahoma and has also targeted Phoenix and California. Franchises will also soon open in Philadelphia, North and South Carolina, New Jersey, Kentucky, Tennessee and Florida. An announcement about an international deal is also just weeks away, Roddy said.

“We’re not only financially strong; we are growing and will be for years to come,” he said. “It’s just been a great ride.”

Source: Fast Casual

Schlotzsky’s-Cinnabon-Carvel opens in North Dallas on July 9

 

Don’t miss out on your chance to get free Cinnabon & Schlotzsky’s! Come to the restaurant and sign up for the Bun & Fun eClub and you’ll be entered to win free Cinnabon & Schlotzsky’s for a year! And be sure to say hello to Bobby Bun and Fudgie the Whale while you’re there – they’ll get you set up to spin the wheel and win cool prizes including sandwiches, chips, hot sauce, frisbees, cookies and more. We’ll also have a putting green set up and if you manage to snag a hole in one, you’ll win free food!

Come back on Saturday, July 14 and hang out with Bobby and Fudgie again. We’ll have the putting green and prize wheel set up and you can bring the kids for lots of fun, including water balloon toss, football toss, and balloon animals!

We open bright and early at 8am Monday, July 9th.

19160 Preston Road

Dallas, TX 75252

Phone: (972) 996-1152

Schlotzsky’s-Cinnabon-Carvel opens in Austin on April 14

The new Schlotzsky’s-Cinnabon-Carvel in Austin, Texas is scheduled to open at 10am on Saturday, April 14.

Get there early, because the first 100 people who buy a Cinnabon 6-pack will get free Schlotzsky’s every week for an entire year! In addition, guests can enjoy our signature sandwich, a small The Original, for just $1.99 all day on Saturday.

We’ll also have special appearances throughout the day from the Austin Toros Basketball team and a live radio remote with KISS-FM, featuring on-air personality, Lunchbox. We’ll also have plenty of games, prizes and fun for the kids, too including face painting and a balloon artist.

On Sunday, April 15, the Stars Ice Girls will be here from noon to two. Be here to win one of four Texas Stars jerseys. And on Monday, join us at 3pm for a Chamber of Commerce ribbon cutting ceremony and more prizes.

The biggest prize of all will be a 2012 Yamaha Waverunner! Head to the restaurant and join our Bun & Fun eClub between now and May 15 and you’ll be entered to win.

Don’t miss the fun! Come see us this weekend at the new Schlotzsky’s-Cinnabon-Carvel at 8300 N. FM 620 Ste. 103.

*Free Schlotzsky’s offer valid for persons 18 years and older. One giveaway per family. 52 small sandwiches; ONE sandwich each week for one year commencing on April 14, 2012 and expiring on April 1, 2013. This offer is nontransferable and is not valid with any other offer. Offer may not be redeemed at any other Cinnabon or Schlotzsky’s location. Void where prohibited. 

**Must be 18 years or older to participate in drawing for Yamaha Waverunner. Drawing will take place on May 15, 2012.

Franchise Chatter Exclusive: Q&A Interview with Kelly Roddy, President of Schlotzsky’s

by AMBROSIO on FEBRUARY 5, 2012

Since 1971, Schlotzsky’s has been the home of The Original toasted sandwich. The menu has evolved with customers’ tastes to include other sandwiches, pizzas, salads and soups. Schlotzsky’s has more than 350 locations worldwide, with restaurants in Turkey, China, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Costa Rica, Jordan and Kuwait. Schlotzsky’s is owned by FOCUS Brands Inc., the franchisor and operator of over 3,300 Carvel, Cinnabon, Schlotzsky’s, Moe’s Southwest Grill, and Auntie Anne’s locations and Seattle’s Best Coffee on certain military bases and in international markets.

Kelly Roddy came to Schlotzsky’s in 2007 as president, having served as director of sales and marketing and later director of retail operations for H-E-B Grocery Company, a 106-year-old retailer with more than 315 locations throughout Texas and Mexico. Before his time with H-E-B, he was vice president and executive director of new business development for Scholastic Corporation and prior to that, he spent eight years with Walmart Stores, Inc. in a variety of positions. In 2011, Kelly received his Certified Franchise Executive (CFE) designation from the Institute of Certified Franchise Executives and is also a member of the International Franchise Association (IFA).

Franchise Chatter (FC):  Can you share with us the story of how Schlotzsky’s got its start?

Kelly Roddy (KR):  In 1971, a small shop on South Congress Avenue in Austin, Texas was home to a single, one-of-a-kind sandwich. Don and Dolores Dissman opened the first Schlotzsky’s with only one product – an 8-inch muffaletta stuffed with three meats, cheeses, lettuce, tomato, olives and dressing, served on hot, freshly-made sourdough bread. Modeled after the muffalettas they discovered in an Italian grocery store in New Orleans’ French Quarter, The Original toasted sandwich was an instant hit.

FC:  For those unfamiliar, please tell us about your food? What is unique about your menu compared to other fast food franchises specializing in sandwiches? 

KR:  The main thing that sets us apart is our bread – our buns are round and are baked fresh-from-scratch in the stores every day. It differentiates us and it’s our signature shape. Our sandwiches are served warm and are made to order. In addition to our great-tasting sandwiches, we have fresh-tossed salads, soups and pizzas.

FC:  Can you describe the ideal franchisee for a Schlotzsky’s restaurant?

KR:  Our ideal franchise partner is a well-capitalized, savvy business professional. He or she is a passionate, high-energy individual with a true entrepreneurial spirit. In addition, they should have previous restaurant experience and are willing to be a multi-unit operator.

FC:  What is the ideal neighborhood and territory for a Schlotzsky’s restaurant?  In what regions of the country do you see the strongest demand for your restaurants?

KR:  We have a strong presence in middle America and appeal to a wide customer base. Our guests have a distinct appreciation for top-quality food and great customer service. Schlotzsky’s is in strong demand, with locations in 37 states across the U.S., but our highest concentration of restaurants is in the central and southern parts of the country. From there, we are growing out concentrically as our distribution system allows and have recently signed agreements for areas in the northeast.

FC:  What specific steps do your most successful franchisees take in order to build and grow their respective businesses?

KR:  The most important thing is to be an active owner willing to follow a proven system that works. Our most successful franchise partners are active in their restaurants, are involved with the brand and are quick to embrace and promote change and innovation.

FC:  What are some of the things you are doing to help your franchisees become profitable?

KR:  As of the end of 2011, our entire system has been reimaged, which reflects a circle-themed design and includes new colors, new graphics, new signage and new menuboards. We’ve also revamped our menu, adding fresh-tossed salads along with sandwich meals, which appeals to our current customers and brings in a new age group. In addition, 165 of our restaurants now have Cinnabon as part of their operations and 30 will have both Cinnabon and Carvel Ice Cream.

FC:  What are your goals for Schlotzsky’s in the next few years and how do you plan to grow your business?

KR:  Now that we’ve completed our rebranding, it’s time to focus on growth and continued improvement of our operations and our menu. Moving forward, most of our new restaurants will be tri-brand locations (Schlotzsky’s, Cinnabon and Carvel). Growth is a big focus for us and we’re looking for franchise partners who are ready to come into our system and operate multiple units. Increasing pizza sales and different day parts are high potential opportunities. Our pizza is unique because we use our sourdough bread mix. Another major goal is to expand our catering services across our brand in order to provide cohesive, systemized catering to our guests.

FC:  What advice can you give prospective franchisees on how to evaluate the overwhelming number of franchise opportunities available to them?

KR: Do your research. Find a brand that is relevant and growing. Every brand has its own culture and distinctive characteristics, so find one you are passionate about and that you believe in. And definitely reach out to other franchise partners to learn from their experiences and find out what they like and don’t like about the brand.

FC:  What advice can you offer new franchisees on how to increase their chances for success in the restaurant business?

KR:  Your franchisor will present you with a business model to guide you to success. The best thing you can do as a franchisee is embrace the business model and make it work for you. That’s the advantage of being a part of a franchise system, because processes and products are tested and perfected before they are implemented in restaurants.

FC:  Is there anything else you wish to share about Schlotzsky’s?

KR:  After 40 years in the restaurant business, we’ve worked hard to develop strong, positive relationships with our franchise partners. We have a clear line of communication within our franchise system and include individual franchise partners in our decision making through our franchise advisory council. We’ve also used our time and experience to create a brand culture that is relevant, quirky and fun. With our sister companies, Cinnabon and Carvel, we offer the unique opportunity to operate three complementary brands under one roof.

Source: Franchise Chatter

Schlotzsky’s reopens in Lufkin, TX with Cinnabon

Get your buns to our Schlotzsky’s in Lufkin on Wednesday, July 27 and enjoy $1.99 small The Original sandwiches all day! And the first 50 people to purchase a 6-pack of Cinnabon Classic Rolls will get free Cinnabon each week for a year. So stop by, check out our new restaurant, which is under new management, and say hi! We’d love to see you!