Desire for indulgence declines in QSR diners

How strong is your sweet tooth? Recent research apparently shows that interest in tasty treats at quick service restaurants is on the decline. Customers are showing less and less interest in dessert indulgences, what does this mean for QSR's? Winter typically is the time of year when restaurants introduce new desserts, as well as, counting on a rise in dessert sales in general. This trend may shift some of the sales emphasis this coming holiday season. In an article by Nation's Restaurant News this topic is discussed in more detail. Click here to read the entire article.

Desire for indulgence declines in QSR diners
By Lisa Jennings

Just as the season for pumpkin-pie shakes and gingerbread cookie ice cream is about to begin, new research indicates that interest in indulgent treats among quick-service customers is waning.

But that doesn’t mean restaurants should stop offering indulgent treats, said a report issued this week by Sandelman & Associates, a market-share research firm that specializes in the quick-service segment. Rather, restaurant chains need to understand the varying factors that motivate quick-service consumers.

For years, quick-service chains have sought to differentiate themselves by adding indulgent and craveable items to the menu, particularly around the fall and winter holiday seasons. Just this week, for example, Jack in the Box brought back its perennial pumpkin pie and eggnog shakes and Burger King rolled out gingerbread sundaes and shakes.

Since 2008, however, consumers have placed less importance on indulgent items. Five years ago, about 53 percent of consumers said indulgence was extremely or very important in choosing a quick-service restaurant, but that number has shrunk to 46 percent in the first half of 2012, according to Sandelman surveys.

Click here to read the entire article.

Franchisee Spotlight: David Taylor, Owner of Rockwall, TX Lenny's Sub Shop

Today, Lenny's will highlight one of their many franchisees, David Taylor of the Lenny's Sub Shop in Rockwall, Texas.

Franchisee Since: July 2010
Franchise Location: Rockwall, TX

How David Taylor Got Started With Lenny’s Sub Shop…
David has a creative eye. When he was making the choice about his future and where to attend college, he chose the Savannah College of Arts and Design. Upon graduating, he parlayed his creativity into a career in the film industry. For the past 24 years, he’s been working in the film industry on the technical end in lighting. While he enjoys working on movies, most of his expertise is focused on commercials. Twenty-four years later and with a six-year-old son, David began his search for his next career move, one that would be fun and rewarding while also being financially sturdy.

David learned about Lenny’s from his friend, Steve Brady, who is also a Lenny’s franchisee. His dad is also a frequent guest at Lenny’s in Pascagoula, MS where he grew up. He became interested in the brand a while ago, and has just recently been able to gain the exclusive rights to his hometown territory, Rockwall. His plan is to develop six restaurants in 10 years, but for now, he’s just getting his feet wet in real estate research.

What intrigued David Taylor about Lenny’s Sub Shop…
It wasn’t just through conversation with his friend, Steve, that convinced David Lenny’s was a stand-out restaurant. He tried the food for himself and confirmed his friend’s accolade of Lenny’s rang true. David said, “It’s just a great sandwich, and the quality of the ingredients we use is a step above.”

The opportunity to become involved within his community also excited David as his film career allows him to work with people all over the world, but didn’t give him the ability to connect with his own local community. David looks forward to making Lenny’s a community partner and especially involving the business in activities where his son will also participate.

Something Interesting About David Taylor’s Story…
David is no amateur to the restaurant business. His brother and brother-in-law own five BBQ restaurants in Mississippi and his family has been in the BBQ business since the 1930’s! While he enjoys BBQ, he was ready to get into another restaurant category and open up shop in his hometown.

Franchisee Spotlight: Jayson Scott, Owner of Lenny's in Horn Lake

Each week, Lenny's will highlight a franchisee. This week, Jayson Scott, is our spotlight franchisee.

Franchisee Since: June 2007
Franchise Location/s: Horn Lake, MS

How Jayson Scott Got Started With Lenny’s Sub Shop…
Jayson has the spirit of a true entrepreneur. For approximately nine years, Jayson worked in the chemical sales industry selling farm and industrial chemicals to large corporations such as Proctor and Gamble and Smucker’s. Jayson possessed the skills to sell a multitude of different chemicals to a diverse client base, and his skill set and experience led to great success as he became the head of a $10 million sales region. Realizing his own success and the amount of money that he was earning for his company, Jayson decided to exit the corporate world and create his own business, making money for the man who he felt deserved it the most, himself. Jayson was introduced to Lenny’s Sub Shop by a family friend and fell in love with the opportunity. He soon opened his location in Horn Lake in June of 2007, with his father in law, David Leake and wife, Katherine Scott.

What Intrigued Jayson Scott about Lenny’s Sub Shop…
Jayson fell in love with the quality, customer service, and brand image of Lenny’s Sub Shop. He saw the success of the franchise in other areas, and wanted to bring this quality sub shop to his local town, Horn Lake. Jayson was not intimidated by the small town of Horn Lake, and was determined to make his Horn Lake Lenny’s location thrive despite its small size. He creates relationships with his local guests on a personal level which ultimately leads to high guest retention rates.

Something Interesting About Jayson Scott's Story…
Horn Lake is a commuting community, so Jayson has been innovative in creating a Lenny’s Sub Shop full breakfast menu which includes bacon, ham, sausage, and egg sandwiches to allow commuters to grab breakfast on their way to work. Jayson is one of only a handful of stores to offer breakfast, and opens at 6am. Jayson’s Horn Lake location is one of only a handful of Lenny’s locations across the nation with a drive-thru in place. The drive-thru serves the busy commuting community of Horn Lake.

Franchisee Spotlight: Darren Anthony, Owner of Lenny's in Alpharetta

Each week, Lenny's will highlight a franchisee. This week, Darren Anthony, is our spotlight franchisee.

Franchisee Since: July 2010
Franchise Location: Alpharetta, GA

How Darren Anthony Got Started with Lenny’s…
Darren became a Lenny’s fan six years ago when he first visited a local metro Atlanta Lenny’s location. He fell in love with the high quality food, generous meat portions, and friendly atmosphere. Darren continued to have positive experiences as he dined at various Lenny’s, which led to his desire to invest in the brand with his own location. He realized there were only a handful of Lenny’s locations around town, and thought that not only should more be developed locally so that more people could enjoy such a great product, but also knew it was a perfect business opportunity that he was passionate about. With his six-years of experience in both the quick-service restaurant franchise financing industry and marketing and sales industry, Darren has confidence that another Lenny’s location in the Atlanta area would thrive.

What Intrigued Darren Anthony about Lenny’s…
Darren fell in love with Lenny’s for a few reasons. Not only is the food high quality (the deli meat is actually sliced on demand) but the portions are large enough to satisfy even an ex-college football player’s appetite. According to him, no other sub shop in the market measures up to Lenny’s great tasting, meat-packed submarine sandwiches. This value and quality kept him coming back time after time. Another unique differentiator for Darren was Lenny's diverse and innovative menu as well as Lenny's signature hot pepper relish. Lenny’s was the only sandwich restaurant in Atlanta that could satisfy both him and his family.

Something Interesting About Darren Anthony’s Story…
Darren grew up in California, but relocated across the country to attend Auburn University and play football. He met his wife at Auburn and after graduation they married and moved to the northern Atlanta suburbs. Darren and his family are still Auburn football supporters and keep up an athletic life style through local tennis leagues.

Darren is the father of a two year old daughter and a newborn son. With his extensive franchising experience and living in Atlanta for more than 8 years, Darren is extremely confident in Lenny’s success throughout the Atlanta area.