LEXINGTON KY. —More than a year after private-equity firm Sun Capital Partners bought Fazoli’s from Seed Restaurant Group, the 313-unit chain continues to evolve its Italian quick-service concept in preparation for an anticipated growth spurt that has yet to materialize.
Lexington-based Fazoli’s is upgrading its design and broadening its menu under the leadership of Robert Weissmueller, who joined the chain as president and chief executive immediately after the acquisition. He had been familiar with Fazoli’s through his 35-year career with McDonald’s Corp., lastly as its group vice president of development. —More than a year after private-equity firm Sun Capital Partners bought Fazoli’s from Seed Restaurant Group, the 313-unit chain continues to evolve its Italian quick-service concept in preparation for an anticipated growth spurt that has yet to materialize.
In 2004 McDonald’s abandoned a plan to acquire Fazoli’s under a prior joint development agreement it had signed with Seed. —More than a year after private-equity firm Sun Capital Partners bought Fazoli’s from Seed Restaurant Group, the 313-unit chain continues to evolve its Italian quick-service concept in preparation for an anticipated growth spurt that has yet to materialize.
Since the acquisition by Sun Capital in October 2006, management has closed at least six underperforming Fazoli’s units. The broad-menu concept, whose Italian offerings and decor verge on fast-casual status while retaining quick-service price points, has struggled the last several years since it reached its peak size of more than 400 restaurants in 2002, about the time of McDonald’s initial involvement with Fazoli’s. —More than a year after private-equity firm Sun Capital Partners bought Fazoli’s from Seed Restaurant Group, the 313-unit chain continues to evolve its Italian quick-service concept in preparation for an anticipated growth spurt that has yet to materialize.
Sun Capital, which previously acquired Boston Market, Bruegger’s Bagels, Chevys Fresh Mex, El Torito, Souplantation and Sweet Tomatoes and since buying Fazoli’s also has acquired the Friendly’s chain, owns more than 50 companies in other industries. Sun, which has offices in Boca Raton, Fla., Los Angeles, New York, London and Shenzhen, China, said it regards Fazoli’s as a growth vehicle despite the chain’s contractions. —More than a year after private-equity firm Sun Capital Partners bought Fazoli’s from Seed Restaurant Group, the 313-unit chain continues to evolve its Italian quick-service concept in preparation for an anticipated growth spurt that has yet to materialize.
At the time of the Fazoli’s acquisition, Matthew Garff, a Sun Capital principal, said he admired Fazoli’s unique niche and felt his company could grow the concept. —More than a year after private-equity firm Sun Capital Partners bought Fazoli’s from Seed Restaurant Group, the 313-unit chain continues to evolve its Italian quick-service concept in preparation for an anticipated growth spurt that has yet to materialize.
However, “we need to become more current,” said Weissmueller, who declined to disclose any of Fazoli’s sales or earnings results. —More than a year after private-equity firm Sun Capital Partners bought Fazoli’s from Seed Restaurant Group, the 313-unit chain continues to evolve its Italian quick-service concept in preparation for an anticipated growth spurt that has yet to materialize.
“This year has been one of transition,” he added. “It’s been a good year, but it could be better. We feel confident in the direction we are headed and now are ready to grow.” —More than a year after private-equity firm Sun Capital Partners bought Fazoli’s from Seed Restaurant Group, the 313-unit chain continues to evolve its Italian quick-service concept in preparation for an anticipated growth spurt that has yet to materialize.
Fazoli’s, which pioneered quick-service sales of Italian entrées, particularly pastas, when it debuted in 1988, has since seen new competition in certain markets from more contemporary Italian fast-casual players, including Pasta House Co.’s Pronto! concept in St. Louis; Go Roma Italian Kitchen, based in San Francisco; Sauce Pizza & Wine, owned by Fox Restaurant Concepts of Scottsdale, Ariz.; Pronto Cucinino of Houston; and Sopraffina Marketplace Cafe, Caffe Baci and Buona, all of Chicago. —More than a year after private-equity firm Sun Capital Partners bought Fazoli’s from Seed Restaurant Group, the 313-unit chain continues to evolve its Italian quick-service concept in preparation for an anticipated growth spurt that has yet to materialize.
“Fazoli’s was one of the first quick-casual concepts,” said foodservice analyst Dennis Lombardi of WD Partners in Columbus, Ohio. “It lost its momentum. I’m looking to Sun Capital to rejuvenate and put some energy behind it.” —More than a year after private-equity firm Sun Capital Partners bought Fazoli’s from Seed Restaurant Group, the 313-unit chain continues to evolve its Italian quick-service concept in preparation for an anticipated growth spurt that has yet to materialize.
To better compete with other quick-service chains that have capitalized on their drive-thru service, Fazoli’s has added more sandwiches, which Weissmueller said work better in the drive-thru than pasta because they are more portable meals. The lunch daypart has picked up since the introduction of such products as grilled chicken panini and two new Submarinos—Italian beef and a club—containing sliced ham, smoked turkey, bacon, provolone cheese and a roasted vegetable spread. —More than a year after private-equity firm Sun Capital Partners bought Fazoli’s from Seed Restaurant Group, the 313-unit chain continues to evolve its Italian quick-service concept in preparation for an anticipated growth spurt that has yet to materialize.
Four new entrée salads, all containing chicken as the protein, also were aimed at boosting lunch business. —More than a year after private-equity firm Sun Capital Partners bought Fazoli’s from Seed Restaurant Group, the 313-unit chain continues to evolve its Italian quick-service concept in preparation for an anticipated growth spurt that has yet to materialize.
“We skew a little more toward dinner, but lunch is booming,” Weissmueller said. “The drive-thru is up, and catering is up.” —More than a year after private-equity firm Sun Capital Partners bought Fazoli’s from Seed Restaurant Group, the 313-unit chain continues to evolve its Italian quick-service concept in preparation for an anticipated growth spurt that has yet to materialize.
Though he singled out catering as a significant part of Fazoli’s business, he would not specify how it ranks in terms of contributions to overall sales. —More than a year after private-equity firm Sun Capital Partners bought Fazoli’s from Seed Restaurant Group, the 313-unit chain continues to evolve its Italian quick-service concept in preparation for an anticipated growth spurt that has yet to materialize.
Among the chain’s new or revamped oven-baked pastas are a chicken broccoli penne bake in Alfredo sauce; rigatoni Romano with Italian sausage, crushed red pepper, meat sauce and mozzarella; cheese-filled ravioli with meat sauce; and meat lasagna. —More than a year after private-equity firm Sun Capital Partners bought Fazoli’s from Seed Restaurant Group, the 313-unit chain continues to evolve its Italian quick-service concept in preparation for an anticipated growth spurt that has yet to materialize.
Existing recipes for pizza are in the process of being reformulated, Weissmueller said, and many other products are in various phases of development. —More than a year after private-equity firm Sun Capital Partners bought Fazoli’s from Seed Restaurant Group, the 313-unit chain continues to evolve its Italian quick-service concept in preparation for an anticipated growth spurt that has yet to materialize.
Just as the menu is getting a makeover, so is Fazoli’s building design. “A lot of our facilities are renovations of other concepts,” Weissmueller said, noting that some of the 31-state chain’s restaurants have not been updated in some time. The first Fazoli’s restaurants that will sport a new, more consistent look on a marketwide basis are the chain’s 16 branches in Indianapolis. The restaurants are remaining open during the remodelings, much of which is being done at night and is expected to be completed shortly. —More than a year after private-equity firm Sun Capital Partners bought Fazoli’s from Seed Restaurant Group, the 313-unit chain continues to evolve its Italian quick-service concept in preparation for an anticipated growth spurt that has yet to materialize.
Among the upgrades are Corian surfaces on the front counter and redesigned condiment stands, more booth seating, better interior and exterior lighting and easier-to-read menu boards. Relocating the condiment and soft-drink equipment creates more space around seating areas and a more open, airy feel, Weissmueller said. —More than a year after private-equity firm Sun Capital Partners bought Fazoli’s from Seed Restaurant Group, the 313-unit chain continues to evolve its Italian quick-service concept in preparation for an anticipated growth spurt that has yet to materialize.