Schlotzsky’s will take a bigger bite in Denver

By Mark Harden, News Director – Denver Business Journal

Schlotzsky’s, a sandwich chain with 10 Colorado locations, says it plans to add dozens more by the end of the year in metro Denver.

Austin, Texas-based Schlotzsky’s — a unit of Atlanta-based Focus Brands Inc. — says it has plans for 15 franchise deals in the city of Denver and another 30 deals in the Denver metro area by the end of 2014.

“The Denver market has already cultivated a loyal fan following and a strong brand reputation as consumers demand more convenient, fresh food options,” said David Wheeler, the chain’s vice president of franchise development. “We anticipate the same great success we’ve seen across Colorado in this targeted region of the state.”

Wheeler signaled that the company seeks “qualified franchise partners” in Denver.

The company said the new stores will offer franchisees “co-branding opportunities” with other Focus brands, Cinnabon and Carvel, “to offer franchise partners multiple streams of revenue under one roof.”

The move comes as homegrown sandwich chain Quiznos has faced challenges, shuttering thousands of stores in recent years and going through a pre-packaged Chapter 11 process.

Schlotzsky’s also is targeting markets in Texas as well as Oklahoma City, Tulsa, St. Louis and Kansas City for further expansion.

The chain says it currently has 350 locations in 37 states and three other nations.

Source: Denver Business Journal

Schlotzsky’s-Cinnabon-Carvel opens in McAlester, OK

 

 

Join us for the grand opening celebration of our Schlotzsky’s-Cinnabon-Carvel in McAlester, OK on Thursday, July 18. 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 other prizes during the day!

503 S. George Nigh Expressway, McAlester, OK 74501

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

Schlotzsky’s franchisee tops new restaurant with upper crust apartments

The 800-square-foot apartments feature crown molding, patios, microwaves and 50-inch flat screen TVs. Schlotzsky’s franchisee David Jones says the project has a Bricktown feel but is in Midwest City’s “Original Mile.”

By Jennifer Palmer

MIDWEST CITY — Schlotzsky’s franchisee David Jones took the company’s motto of “Lotz Better” to heart, adding posh extras to his new location here, including upscale apartments above the restaurant.

The $1.5 million project less than a mile from Tinker Air Force Base’s main gate is part of the city’s effort to revitalize the area known as the “Original Mile,” by providing attractive, mixed-use housing within walking distance to the Town Center Plaza shopping center, the city’s major retail development. It’s the first Schlotzsky’s restaurant to feature housing above.

The restaurant opened in December and construction on the four upstairs apartments should be complete this month, Jones said. The 800-square-foot apartments have a private entrance and will feature crown molding, granite countertops and appliances including microwaves, stackable washer and dryer and 50-inch flat screen TVs. Jones’ son, David, who manages the Midwest City restaurant, will live in one unit and the other three will be rented for $1,000 a month.

“It’s just like downtown Bricktown — in Midwest City,” Jones said.

Amenities continue throughout the restaurant, with a water fountain in the patio area, a media wall with flat-screen TVs and space for laptops in the dining room, tall booths, a cozy fireplace, baby changing tables in both men’s and women’s restrooms and plates to serve the sandwiches on. Jones said he didn’t want his guests eating out of baskets.

Most stores go above and beyond the Schlotzsky’s corporate model, but each was made to give the restaurant a homey feel because to Jones, Midwest City is home. His father, Kenneth Jones, worked for Tinker for 30 years and David Jones grew up in Midwest City.

Though a career with Pepsi Co. took him to California and Texas, when he decided to open a business his family could be involved in, it was time to come home, he said.

Jones opened his first Schlotzsky’s in Moore in the summer of 2011, which his daughter, Sarah, manages.

“When I was looking for a place to put our second franchise, Midwest City was at the top of the list because it had sentimental value,” David Jones said.

For Schlotzsky’s, it was an opportunity to re-enter Midwest City with an established franchisee, said Amanda Palm, a spokeswoman for Schlotzsky’s, which is based in Austin, Texas.

She said the company allowed Jones some flexibility in designing his restaurant and building, which he owns.

“We knew in looking for sites this was simply a good place for our brand. We wanted to be a part of the redevelopment efforts the city was putting into this particular area,” she said.

In December 2011, Midwest City published its revitalization plan for the Original Mile, a one-square-mile neighborhood defined by SE 15 on the north, SE 29 on the south, Air Depot Boulevard on the west and Midwest Boulevard on the east. Much of the classic, 1940s wartime housing built there was becoming dilapidated and was in desperate need of a face-lift.

Midwest City Mayor Jack Fry said when Jones approached the city with plans for a new Schlotzsky’s restaurant, he pitched the idea of adding a housing element. Jones, who has no experience being a landlord, was the first business owner to take a chance on the city’s vision.

The apartments are within walking or biking distance to the many stores and restaurants at Town Center Plaza and are perfect for somebody looking to live an urban lifestyle, the mayor added.

“It is a bold step for the city. We’re changing a little from suburban America to urban America. It’s time for Midwest City to adopt some of the architectural things going on around the country,” Fry said. “Sometimes, I think we need to think outside the box … and this was a place we could do that.”

Source: The Oklahoman

A journey for the Original Mile: Midwest City on track to redevelop historic area

By Heide Brandes

MIDWEST CITY – When customers step into Midwest City’s new Schlotzsky’s at 2400 S. Air Depot in Midwest City, they will experience a design and plan unlike any of the chain’s other restaurants in the U.S.

Restaurant owner and Midwest City native David Jones also owns DLJ Holdings. DLJ Holdings owns the land and building that Schlotzsky’s inhabits.

However, his design is unique. The restaurant is part of a revitalization plan introduced by Midwest City to bring new life into an old neighborhood. The chain restaurant façade fits with Midwest City’s Original Mile plan, occupying the bottom of the two-story building. Four 800-square-foot, one-bedroom apartments are on the second floor.

The two-story concept is unusual for a modern chain sandwich shop. Jones said by participating in the Original Mile plan, he not only has the most beautiful Schlotzsky’s in America, but also is contributing to an area he feels will be the next big thing in central Oklahoma.

“The redevelopment is a very big undertaking on the city’s part,” Jones said. “It’s a massive plan. They are looking at all aspects to make Midwest City a ‘Model City’ again. I think we are the first one to do a commercial development part of the plan.”

The vision of the Original Mile plan is to revive the area by building on the original concepts that earned Midwest City recognition as “America’s Model City” by the National Association of Home Builders in 1951 while creating a distinctive, desirable and quality neighborhood of the future, said Billy Harless, the city’s community development director for Midwest City.

“New and improved commercial and retail areas will complement the existing town center and provide for innovative mixed-use development,” Harless said.

To put the plan into place, the Midwest City officials conducted site visits, interviews and meetings with city staff members, community members and residents of the Original Mile.

Building back

Established in 1942, Midwest City was a one-square-mile area that consisted of homes, a school, a park and a retail district. The Original Mile is between Air Depot and Midwest Boulevard and SE 15th and SE 29th streets. The neighborhood was developed as housing for the Midwest Air Depot, later renamed Tinker Air Force Base. Both the city and Tinker have grown substantially and the old neighborhood needs a redo, officials said.

City planners have developed a long-range plan for the blighted neighborhood. Besides new mixed-use developments that include urban apartments, the plan also includes new streets, new façade and even a neighborhood amphitheater and plaza gathering area.

“What we did with the Original Mile study was come up with as many ideas as we could that the city could pick and choose from,” Harless said. “One of the things that came out of the study was that the Original Mile had a lot of odd-shaped property with limited parking and small parcels from the old houses, which gave us the flexibility with zoning for things we were unable to do before, like mixed-use commercial.”

Additional commercial development is already under way at Air Depot Boulevard within the Town Centre Plaza complex. The mixed-use concept is new to Midwest City and includes upscale first-floor commercial space for office or retail and upscale apartments on the second floor.

“It’s very appealing for business owners to be able to build a business and live over their business, too,” Harless said. “Mr. Jones’ development is the first to do that in Midwest City, but we have other developers who have that option in their permits. We knew when we built the Town Centre (on SE 29th Street between Air Depot and Midwest Boulevard) that we would have to do something with the property surrounding it.”

Jones said the new Schlotzsky’s, which opened on Dec. 30 at 2400 S. Air Depot, fits the concept and is unlike any other in the nation.

“It has an indoor-outdoor fireplace and we are working to complete a mosaic fountain,” Jones said. “We also chose private booths for seating. Although booths do not lend themselves for maximum occupancy, it’s more comfortable for the customers.”

The building also has a grand balcony, a cobblestone drive and a drive-thru with private screening elements. Landscaping and finishing touches are under way.

“Inside the upstairs apartments, we have higher ceilings than normal, over-and-under washer and dryers, balconies and 50-inch flat screens in every apartment,” Jones said. “We decided to go with one-bedroom because we wanted the apartments to be more spacious.”

The apartments, which are currently unnamed, are expected to open for residency at the end of February.

The design of the entire structure includes 33-foot walls on one side of the development, vibrant colors and up-and-down lighting to enhance the design.

“This is really an amazing development,” Jones said. “Residents of the apartments can just walk out their door, step onto the sidewalk and go shopping at the Town Centre. This plan is going to bring a different perspective to Midwest City.”

Harless said many of the concepts are to make the area as a whole more appealing.

“We have other aspects of that Original Mile study that the city is working on right now,” he said. “We have a decorative fence planned along Midwest Boulevard that the city is ready to start on, some monuments planned and the new Eastside Elementary School. We are looking at other elements in the study, like housing and façade work on existing housing.”

Midwest City has an advantage in that it has a general lack of dilapidated structures, but still has good neighborhood design. The city currently plans to remove the water tower at the site of the former City Hall and install a new cell tower that will be built decoratively to make more aesthetically pleasing.

Though the neighborhood currently has three public parks, the addition of small pocket parks is also a part of the plan.

The Original Mile

The Original Mile plan includes the following:

• Introducing a new streetscape throughout the Original Mile with new curbs, gutters, sidewalks, traffic-calming methods and trees.

Source: The Journal Record

• A Capital Improvement Plan to provide a guide to systematically improving infrastructure in the Original Mile.

• Promotion of home revitalization design options for façades, remodels and infill for existing homes in the area.

• A community civic space for a major public outdoor venue that links Town Center Plaza to the neighborhood and draws city and regional audiences, using the new camouflaged cell tower as a focal point.

• Keeping single-family homes and duplexes as the predominant housing choice, add innovative housing through mixed-use developments and consider row homes around the community civic space.

• A phased funding and priority plan.

Schlotzsky’s-Cinnabon opens in Midwest City, OK

Make plans to attend the Schlotzsky’s-Cinnabon grand opening on December 30 in Midwest City, OK! Doors open at 10am and the first 100 guests to purchase a Cinnabon 6-Pack get free Schlotzsky’s for a year! And sign up to win other prizes throughout the day. See you there!

Sunday, December 30 at 10am

2400 South Air Depot, Midwest City, OK

*One small sandwich per week at this location for 52 consecutive weeks commencing on December 30, 2012 and expiring on December 30, 2013. Only valid for persons 18 years or older. Offer valid only at the Midwest City Schlotzsky’s.

© 2012 Schlotzsky’s Franchise LLC. All rights reserved

Schlotzsky’s-Cinnabon-Carvel opens in Stillwater!

We are officially opening in Stillwater, OK on Friday, December 21. Doors open at 10:30am at our new location at 310 N Perkins Road! The first 50 customers who buy a CinnaPack of Cinnabon Classic Rolls will get free Schlotzsky’s for a year!* We’ll also have lots of games and other prizes, so get there early and stay late.

Doors open at 10:30am on Friday, December 21

*One small The Original sandwich per week at this location for 52 consecutive weeks commencing on December 21, 2012 and expiring on December 21, 2013. Only valid for persons 18 years or older. Offer valid only at the Stillwater Schlotzsky’s.

© 2012 Schlotzsky’s Franchise LLC. All rights reserved

Schlotzsky’s: Unique sourdough makes sandwiches special

By SCOTT CHERRY World Scene Writer

Published: 5/24/2012  2:28 AM

I remember when Schlotzsky’s opened its first Tulsa store in the late 1970s, it seemed like a hip, funky place, well-suited for young adults and college students from the nearby University of Tulsa.

It was in a small building at 11th Street and Pittsburg Avenue, which today houses a Tacos Don Francisco.

I also thought the Schlotzsky’s original sandwich with the distinctive sourdough bread was unique and wonderful.

I recently visited two Schlotzsky’s locations – one in Broken Arrow to eat and one in Tulsa for an interview and photos – and found that original sandwich still rings my bell.

I ordered a medium ($4.99), plenty big enough for most appetites. It was loaded with smoked ham, Genoa and cotto salamis, melted cheddar, mozzarella and Parmesan cheeses, black olives, red onion, lettuce, tomato, mustard and a light dressing.

While the combination of flavors is pleasing, it really is the thick bread that makes the sandwich special.

I have a co-worker who goes ga-ga over Schlotzsky’s pizzas, so we ordered an 8-inch grilled chicken and pesto ($4.99), made with a thinner version of the sourdough bread.

I found I would prefer a more traditional pizza crust, but the toppings were impressive. They included big chunks of grilled chicken, mozzarella and Parmesan cheeses, basil pesto, green onions, black olives and tomatoes, and the pesto gave it a zingy flavor.

We also had a turkey avocado Cobb salad ($7.99) and a medium hand-carved turkey sandwich ($7.99), one of three special sandwiches that will run until June 1. The others are braised beef and mushrooms with fire-roasted vegetables, and hickory-smoked ham with havarti cheese, bacon and honey Dijon dressing.

Our roasted turkey sandwich also had havarti cheese, along with big slices of fresh avocado. We must have been on a turkey-avocado kick because they were in the salad that also included crisp mixed greens, chopped bacon, diced avocado, goat cheese, diced boiled egg, diced tomatoes, black beans and garlic focaccia croutons, topped off with a good house-made ranch dressing.

Schlotzsky’s has undergone some big changes over the past year or so, beginning with ownership. The Ramsey family sold their Oklahoma restaurants back to the corporation, Fancy Foods, according to Scott Mullen, manager of the 71st Street store. Shane Ramsey still is district manager over nine Tulsa- and Oklahoma City-area restaurants, and his brother, J.J., works in the Austin area, where Schlotzsky’s was founded in 1971.

All of the stores have been remodeled with a brighter, more modern look and have been co-branded with Cinnabon and Carvel ice cream, two other Fancy Foods properties. Cinnabon makes classic cinnamon rolls and pecan rolls.

“We open the drive-through at 8 a.m. for Cinnabon items and beverages,” Mullen said. “And ice cream sales are picking up with the warmer weather. Having the three brands in one spot has been popular.”

Source: Tulsa World

Schlotzsky’s headed for Stillwater

By Ricky O’Bannon

For Bryan & Mia Whitfield, doing what you love means getting into the business of sandwiches.

Stillwater was once home to the sandwich chain Schlotzsky’s, and Bryan said he and his wife fell in love with the brand. Once it closed, that wouldn’t stop the family from driving for an hour or more to satisfy cravings for what he called a very “unique sandwich.”

“We would get the whole family together and drive to the Oklahoma City or Tulsa area for Schlotzsky’s,” Whitfield said.

The couple have lived in Stillwater since 1989 after moving back to the city where they graduated from Oklahoma State University. Earlier this month, the Whitfields signed a franchise agreement with the company to open six Schlotzsky’s stores in Oklahoma, including one in their hometown.

Whitfield said he plans on opening the Stillwater location by the end of 2012 before later opening stores in Owasso, Enid, Lawton, Bartlesville and Ardmore.

The Stillwater location has a tri-branding deal, meaning it will also offer Cinnabon products and Carvel, an ice cream brand that has traditionally been offered on the East Coast.

“That allows us three draws instead of one,” he said. “You’ve got folks who are very passionate about Cinnabon who might be introduced to Schlotzsky’s for the first time and (vice versa).”

Whitfield said the location of the store is still being finalized. The restaurant will employ approximately 45 people in Stillwater.

After word got out about the chain coming back, Whitfield said, he’s heard from a number of people who told him they were happy to see Schlotzsky’s in Stillwater again.

“We weren’t the only ones who had a passion for the sandwich, ” he said. “We’re obviously very excited at the response so far, and we’re very excited to bring this to Stillwater.”

Source: Stillwater NewsPress

Franchise agreement will bring Schlotzsky’s to Bartlesville

By Abigail Singrey

asingrey@examiner-enterprise.com

Plans are in the works for a new Schlotzsky’s in Bartlesville, but the grand opening will not be this year.

Regional developers Bryan and Mia Whitfield of Stillwater plan to open six Schlotzsky’s in Stillwater, Bartlesville, Owasso, Enid, Lawton and Ardmore. The Whitfields signed a multi-unit franchise agreement with Schlotzsky’s, which also included a co-branding agreement with Cinnabon and Carvel.

A Schlotzsky’s restaurant typically employs around 45 people and occupies about 3,200 square feet, Bryan Whitfield said.

The Whitfields were targeting communities where Schlotzky’s would be a “unique offering,” Bryan Whitfield said.

“We live in Stillwater, and we kept thinking about how big the demand was in a town the size of Stillwater,” Whitfield said. “… Our business plan will have us developing all of these in the shortest time possible. We are going to start in Stillwater and grow from there.”

The first restaurant will open in Stillwater by the end of the year. The Whitfields have a contract pending on a site. The timing of the opening of the rest of the locations has not been determined, Bryan Whitfield said.

“It will be dictated by where real estate opportunities lead us first,” Bryan Whitfield said.

Opening a restaurant will fulfill a life-long dream for Bryan Whitfield. After working in fast food in high school, he had always wanted to open a restaurant. After a career in electrical and software engineering, the timing was right for Bryan Whitfield to pursue that dream.

“Our love for Schlotzsky’s has been a primary driving factor,” he said.

Schlotzsky’s has more than 350 locations worldwide and serves a variety of items, including sandwiches, wraps, gourmet pizzas and salads.

Source: Bartlesville Examiner-Enterprise

Schlotzsky’s plans restaurant in Stillwater

By Austin Chappell

Restaurant enthusiasts in Stillwater can rejoice as another new dining option is in the process of being developed.

Plans were announced Wednesday to open a Schlotzsky’s in Stillwater, with residents Bryan and Mia Whitfield leading the development process. Bryan and Mia were both unavailable for comment on the announcement.

The Enid News Eagle reported the restaurant could open within the next year. The Whitfields will also open locations in Enid, Owasso, Lawton, Bartlesville and Ardmore, according to the News Eagle.

Derrick May, a business senior, said he was thrilled at the thought of a Schlotzsky’s opening in Stillwater.

“I’ve been going to Schlotzsky’s for as long as I can remember,” May said. “I haven’t gone as much recently because they’ve closed some of the locations in Dallas, but Stillwater sounds like a prime spot with all the college students.”

The announcement came as Olive Garden and Fuzzy’s Taco Shop are in development, and Jimmy John’s and Cheezies Pizza both opened within the past year.

Schlotzsky’s, a sandwich-centered restaurant, will compete with Subway and Jimmy John’s, among others. The restaurant also offers various pizza combinations, as well as pasta, soup and salad.

May said he believes Schlotzsky’s can thrive in Stillwater, depending on the location.

“There are already like two or three Subway’s in Stillwater already, but the one closest to campus is always the most popular,” he said. “If Schlotzsky’s can build or open up in the same area, I could really see a lot of students going there for lunch.”

The Austin-based joint boasts more than 160 locations, with 11 Oklahoma locations scattered across the Oklahoma City and Tulsa areas.

Source: The Daily O’Collegian