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Article from Business Matters http://www.tallahassee.com/apps/pbcs.dll/a...D=2009910080323

Burger King revamp aims at higher-priced kin Flame chandeliers? Burger King goes for sit-down style with restaurant overhaul By Ashley M. Heher, Associated Press Writer On 7:04 pm EDT, Tuesday October 6, 2009 CHICAGO (AP) -- Burger King Corp. plans to swap its generic fast-food feel and bland tiles and tabletops for a vibe that's more sit-down than drive-through. As part of a plan to be revealed Wednesday in Amsterdam, the company will announce a massive effort to overhaul its 12,000 locations worldwide. The sleek interior will include rotating red flame chandeliers, brilliant TV-screen menus and industrial-inspired corrugated metal and brick walls. "I'd call it more contemporary, edgy, futuristic," Chairman and CEO John Chidsey told The Associated Press. "It feels so much more like an upscale restaurant." But that comes with an upscale price: The new look is expected to cost franchisees, who operate 90 percent of Burger King's locations, between $300,000 to $600,000 per restaurant. The company said the new design, called "20/20" at the Miami-based chain, is already in place at about 60 locations around the world. Burger King expects about 75 more redesigned restaurants to be open by the end of next year. But it will take years before all its locations are transformed. Burger King franchise owners are contractually required to update their restaurants after a set period of time, and executives said the redesign will be the primary option for future upgrades. All new restaurants will be built using the plan. So far, remodeled restaurants have seen sales climb about 12 to 15 percent, while restaurants that are torn down and completely rebuilt at the same location have seen sales climb by as much as 30 percent, Chidsey said. Observers say the hip, urban and masculine elements in the redesign may be a hit with Burger King's most loyal customers -- young men who frequent the chain known as much for its signature Whoppers and "steak burgers" as its sometimes-creepy "King" commercials. But some experts are skeptical about whether sales will grow as much as the company claims and how eager franchise owners will be to part with that kind of cash, particularly in a sour economy. Chidsey said he thinks most franchise owners, who typically own both their restaurant's building and the land, won't have trouble obtaining financing and will be swayed once they see how sales can climb. Morningstar analyst R.J. Hottovy said the reformulated restaurant could keep diners at the table longer but may not draw in enough extra diners to justify the cost. "I don't think they'll change their perception," he said. "They're pretty entrenched in their reality." A group representing Burger King franchise owners didn't immediately comment. Fast-food restaurants typically get almost two-thirds of their business from drive-through or carryout orders. More appealing interiors could help the company compete with sit-down counterparts that many customers think offer better food and better ambiance. Ron Paul, president of the food consultant company Technomic Inc., said he thinks the redesign shows just how determined Burger King is to compete with "fast casual" restaurant chains such as Chipotle, Starbucks and Panera, which customers think of as a cut above typical fast food. "People in the fast-food category are recognizing they've been losing customers to the fast-casual player," he said. "What this sounds like is an attempt to get that dining-in business back by making it an attractive environment." They might also help Burger King, the No. 2 burger food chain the United States, stand out from larger rival McDonald's Corp. and other competitors, including regional chains, who've begun to add bigger and better burgers to their menus as they clamor for a share of the growing burger market that's worth $100 billion in the U.S. "It's a competitive necessity to square up against the competition," Chidsey said. While the most noticeable changes will be inside restaurants, Burger King executives also plan to update exteriors, too, adding metal canopies and more signs proclaiming "Home of the Whopper." At the same time, the company is beefing up its value menu, temporarily adding a $1 double cheeseburger to U.S. menus. And it's also in the final stages of installing new broiler ovens that cut energy use and will let the company roll out new menu items in the future. On deck is the Steakhouse XT burger, which has a thick patty topped with mayonnaise, fried onions, lettuce, steak sauce, cheese and tomatoes. It's slated to join menus in February.

Effective signage can boost business By Jerry Osteryoung HELPING SMALL BUSINESSES October 8, 2009 When you think of advertising, you must remember that signage matters. It is part of the promotion of your business, and it makes a big difference. We helped a fitness facility/spa increase business on its spa side. The business offered all kinds of physical fitness and beauty treatments, such as facials, manicures and massage. More than 200 people came in each day for physical training, but the spa was barely breaking even. Though customers had to walk right by the spa to get to the fitness center, not a single one seemed to notice. The signs for the spa services were originally hung parallel with the walkway, and we encouraged the entrepreneur to hang them perpendicular to the walkway instead. This way, potential customers would not have to turn their heads to see the offerings. Now, within a month of adjusting the signs, the spa is making a nice profit, and the owner is pleased with both the business income and the improved morale among spa employees. In this case, just changing the angle of the signs should improve profits by more than $100,000 each year. Physically, this was an easy fix, but it was a difficult change to make because the owners did not see the problem. They never looked at how the signs appeared to customers. An artist lamented to me that while his art sales were great, his art classes were not. His studio was in the middle of a round-about in a major city, so there was no shortage of traffic. Many cars passed his studio every day, but he had no signs advertising his art classes on his building. Once he put signs out, enrollment in his classes shot straight up. Obviously, if your firm is not in a location that is visible to your customers, investing in signs makes no sense. However, if you have a great location, you must take advantage of this opportunity to promote your business, subject to the limits of local sign ordinances. Signage is one of the cheapest forms of advertising, yet it is one of the most effective. The best way to test the effectiveness of your signage is to ask people for feedback on what they think. Their comments can be valuable. Now go out and ensure that you have the best signage possible both inside and outside your business. You can do this!

Happy Birthday to you......Happy Birthday to you........ That's right, you enjoy those Martinis and think of me having one with you and then whatever comes next you dirty slut...... Sean, love you and miss you...Hope you had a wonderful day......... Hugs to the boys......oh....and your wife...

You dirty boy you.....Wishing you a very happy birthday ......I would send you a happy birthday photo, but..... this is what you get.. Lots of love........

My thoughts and prayers go out to his family and friends....

If there are twins, I am sending you one and Chubby one.........:) I am doing well....just sitting on the couch or bed and bothering Erik every 15 minutes or so. He cannot wait until I can go back to work. He and I do not do so well being at home together all day long and then into the night. He likes having the house to himself while the kids are at school and me at work.......wonder what he does??? Hmmmmm I will keep you posted on the update and arrival of this little one....yes, only one!!!! Cheers love

Uhhh.....Uhhhh.... How yummy that looks......I can taste those olives!!!!! Damn, 3 more months and it is on........Keep up the good work, make me proud:)

Boy, You better stop saying that...My mom even thinks I have twins....crazy!!!!!!!

Ahhh, You know.... You boys crack me up...all the back and forth......I love it...You all make me laugh!!!!!

Ahhhh, You know, I love being pregnant.......that goes without saying........ But this pregnancy has done me in.....I have been on bed rest sine June something and I am not due until late November early December......they say pregnant women crave something......I SO WOULD LIKE A COCKTAIL OR TWO.... Can you all have a beverage for me....tell me how it taste and how it went down........every time Erik cracks open a beer, I can smell the yeast......is that not sad..... Sean (fishing nut) Have you been keeping your promise and having a martini for me with olives.....I hope so....I am counting on you!!!!! Gary, I like the fruity drinks too......make it something pink with an umbrella..... Ahhhh, This has been the longest pregnancy EVER!!!!!! Ok, sorry guys, thought I would vent a bit.......ladies you understand me, right????? xoxo to you all and enjoy the rest of your week....

Happy Birthday to YOU! Happy Birthday to YOU!! Happy Birthday to John..... Happy Birthday to YOU!!!! Happy Birthday John, enjoy your day......

Welcome!!!

WELCOME AND WELCOME........ GLAD YOU FOUND US!!!!!

I want to say, even though I was the only sober one there in Vegas, I had such a great time with ALL of you!!!! Erik and I are lucky to have met all of you and I think we have a great group of friends here!!! YOU all are so wonderful!!!! I had such a blast with each and every one of you!!!! Sean, I cannot say enough about you. You crack me up every time. I so enjoyed seeing you!!! You really know how to work the ISA crowds........lol... Next time, I will be joining you...... Gary, the other man in my life......I was so happy to finally meet you and your brother! I am sorry that we did not have enough time to talk, it seems everything was moving pretty fast.....:) I cannot wait to see you again.... Marco and Daisy......it was very nice to meet you both and hopefully we can meet up again...Marco, next time I will make sure my sister in law is there...:) Lane and Katie, you are not that far away, we'll see you kids soon.....I am ready for some relax and beers by your pool...Saturday night was so much fun, you two are wonderful!!! Tell Katie I want a copy of her CD......you have a wonderful lady there:) Mr. Brian and your other half.......what can I say.....who knows where things may have gone if I had been drinking too. Those last few chats and laughs at New York New York.....man, you are a funny man. We really need to vacation together. You and Lori (that is her name right???) are some fine folks...I miss your shit kicken boots.....damn snakes......remember, what happens in Vegas stays in Vegas...this will let everyone wonder what I am talking about.... And last but not least, Mr. Manuel....THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR A WONDERFUL dinner......It was very nice to finally meet you and Stephanie. The party at your suite was wonderful as well.....EXCEPT for the reptiles, but I survived!!!! I am not sure who was more afraid, me or Brian??? And those ladies there, ummmm...that was something new...:) I do want to chat with you about who I need to contact here in San Diego...I think with me being pregnant, I may need to look into other ventures........Thanks.....and you too are not too far from us, so it would be nice to see you and Stephanie again.....:) Garret and Holly, I am not sure about that hang over pill...it did not seem to work for Erik Sunday morning.....Garret, I so know when you are trashed....you have the biggest smile on your face and you are super friendly......lady looker!!!!!!:) Your 10 minutes from me, see you soon...just do not park where I park...... And to my WONDERFUL SEXY HUSBAND.....Erik for President!!!!! LOL... We had a good time, next time I will share some cocktails with you.....I am very proud of you!!!!! Sex in Vegas is the BEST....damn people above us...4am bootie call with head board hitting the wall...WOW!!!!! I CANNOT WAIT TO SEE YOU ALL AGAIN....... AND FOR THE RECORD, as of right now.....we think there is only 1 baby......I will let you all know once we have the ultra sound next week. Brian......I hope I do not have to send you a bill for twins.......Love ya anyway Turkey!!!!! LOL

Hi there friend... No, as of right now we are not having twins....I go for my ultra sound next week. I told Brian, he will get the bill if there is more than one cooking...lol

LOL.. You turkey head, stop saying twins...when I go to my ultra sound next week....I will send you the bill if they say twins......look what you have started......:)

Happy Easter to you too........

Welcome Phillips Lighting, hope to see you all at the ISA show in Vegas.......

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I just love Vegas........what happens there will stay there unless some how it gets posted here...........

Yeah.... I am so excited that you are coming....and bringing the wife..I have someone to pal around with.. while you and Erik sight see......:) And while we are there, don't call my husband in the middle of the night to chat....like New Years!!!! Just come to the room and have even more drinks...we might be able to understand you if we are in person... your wife can come too......:) When are you getting into Vegas? I think we are getting in Thursday night? I would like to arrive Wednesday evening, but with the kids and all.....we'll see.....

Haa Haa Haa... Ahhh, "Fishing Nut" is a good guy.....we just won't tell his wife.....oh wait...is she coming??