Fazoli's Restaurants Franchise News

LEXINGTON, Ky. - (BUSINESS WIRE) - New marketing and hospitality programs launched in early April, combined with a recently revamped menu, expanded service and a new unit design, helped drive a nearly 11 percent same-store sales increase last month at Fazoli’s, America’s largest premium Italian quick-service restaurant.
The new marketing program spotlights recent changes that include the new look, new menu, table service, and real silverware and plates. In conjunction with the new campaign, Fazoli’s rolled out a new service and hospitality program. Both were launched in company markets.
“Guests are really responding to the improvements that we have made to every aspect of the Fazoli’s experience,” said Carl Howard, president and CEO...

New premium beverages are latest addition to revamped menu.
LEXINGTON, Ky.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Just in time for warm weather, Fazoli’s, the premium Italian quick-service restaurant chain, has introduced two new Italian Lemon Ice flavors to its permanent menu.
The refreshing flavors, Wildberry Lemon Ice and Peach Lemon Ice, are now available at all company restaurants, with plans to roll them out at franchised units in the future. These new beverages, made with real fruit puree, complement Fazoli’s existing flavors of original Italian Lemon Ice and Strawberry Lemon Ice, which also is made with real fruit.
“Our Italian Lemon Ice and Strawberry Lemon Ice have been signature items for years, and we know our guests will go wild over the new flavors made with real fruit,” said Cathy Hull, chief marketing officer...

Years' Worth of Free Food Prize to Mothers-of-the-Year
LEXINGTON, KY, April 20, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- May 13 is Mother's Day, the one time in the year when kids and husbands around the world show their appreciation to the person who holds it all together. For the second year in a row, Fazoli's is getting in on the celebration. In each participating market, the Italian restaurant chain is crowning one lucky mom Fazoli's Mother of the Year. The prize: to sit down and let someone else cook, with free meals from Fazoli's for a year.
Details on the second annual Fazoli's Mother of the Year promotion can be found at facebook.com/fazolis. Those looking for a way to honor mom should become a fan and then write what makes their mom so special on the entry page...

New Marketing Campaign Touts Expanded Service, Other Improvements
LEXINGTON, KY, April 10, 2012 – Riding a nearly two-year sales growth streak, premium Italian quick-service restaurant Fazoli’s has launched a new service and hospitality program that it believes will revolutionize the industry. It is the focal point in a new TV commercial that breaks this week in six company markets. The spot, along with other marketing tactics, educates consumers about improvements Fazoli’s has made to its service, food and facilities.
The new service and hospitality initiative, introduced in Fazoli’s 128 company-owned restaurants, expands on earlier service upgrades that included the addition of table service and real plates and silverware...

Franchisees bullish on brand’s future.
LEXINGTON, Ky.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Fazoli’s, America’s largest premium Italian quick-service restaurant chain, is off to a running start in 2012 with record same-store sales growth in January.
“It’s fantastic. If we can have the results we’re having in a down economy, we’re excited about what can happen when the economy really gets rolling”
Company units posted a 12.1 percent year-over-year increase, with franchisees reporting a 9.9 percent jump. It was Fazoli’s best January sales growth in its history.
This makes for the 19th straight month of sales improvement for franchised restaurants and the 18th continuous month for company locations...

Best Quarter Since 1999 Includes December Comp Store Sales up as Much as 22 Percent
LEXINGTON, Ky.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Fazoli’s, America’s largest premium Quick-Service Italian restaurant chain, wrapped up 2011 with record-setting sales increases, completing a 17-month streak in guest traffic and sales growth.
“During the second week of December, Fazoli’s overall same store sales were up 18.1 percent –which set a new sales growth record for the 22-year-old brand”
“During the second week of December, Fazoli’s overall same store sales were up 18.1 percent –which set a new sales growth record for the 22-year-old brand,” said president and CEO Carl Howard. Other recent financial highlights include:

Combined company and franchised comp store sales were up 10...

Italian chain continues to buck trends, surpass competitors
LEXINGTON, Ky.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Winter may be just a few days away, but Fazoli’s, America’s largest premium Italian quick-service restaurant, is continuing to experience red hot sales. Last month’s comp store sales were up 6.6 percent over last year, making it the chain’s best November performance since 1998. With last November’s 1.5 percent improvement factored in, Fazoli’s has experienced a two-year increase of 8.1 percent. It has now posted 17 straight months of same store sales increases for both company and franchised restaurants.
“Our strategy is to deliver casual dining quality food at quick-service prices”
Fazoli’s performance comes as several restaurant brands, including Italian competitor Olive Garden, are struggling with soft sales...

Southern Bakeries, Best Restaurant Equipment & Design and Swisher Hygiene Win Top Supplier Awards
LEXINGTON, Ky.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Fazoli's presented its prestigious Franchisee of the Year award for 2011 to Odus Mundy, who owns three Fazoli’s restaurants, and honored several top suppliers at its annual National Brand Conference held in October.
“Fazoli’s has excellent suppliers in many areas, but this year’s winners edged out their peers by going above and beyond our high expectations. We salute them and look forward to continuing longstanding partnerships that are beneficial to all of us”
In presenting Mundy with the award, Carl Howard, Fazoli’s president and CEO, credited him with being the first franchisee to roll out the new expanded service and remodeling programs...

‘Fast, Fresh, Italian Franchise’ to Exhibit at Restaurant Finance Development Conference
LEXINGTON, Ky.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Fazoli’s, which has been setting a new milestone for sales and profits in recent months, is announcing commitments for seven new restaurants to be opened by three new franchisees, underscoring the brand’s revitalization.
“The adding of three new franchisees to the Fazoli’s system is just another signal of the re-emergence of this great brand”
The newest franchisees are Par Mar Stores in West Virginia and Ohio, TeCaSe of Murray, Ky. and CCreations of New Whiteland, Ind.
The first Fazoli’s unit in a travel plaza is set to open around the beginning of 2012 in a strategic partnership with Par Mar Stores, a division of Par Mar Oil Co...

Fazoli’s Holds Special Election and Offers Voter Incentives
LEXINGTON, KY, October 31, 2011 — Yard signs are up, campaign ads are running, and soon voters will be headed to the polls. In addition to the state and local issues on the ballots, Fazoli’s is asking parents to take to the Internet, and vote on who are the pickiest eaters: boys or girls. Parents can cast their votes on this hotly contested issue by visiting the Questions tab at facebook.com/fazolis, with election results posted on November 9.
Fazoli’s has an offer for those making their way to local voting precincts as well. Stop by any participating Fazoli’s restaurant on Election Day for lunch wearing an I Voted Today sticker, and you can purchase any 400 Calorie Entrée for just $1...

Remodeled and Repositioned Franchise, Company Units See Double-Digit Sales Increases
LEXINGTON, Ky.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Odus Mundy, a multi-unit Fazoli's franchise owner is hearing things in his Tennessee restaurants that he likes. Guests frequently comment about Fazoli's improved food that is now presented on real plates, its new table service and fresh décor. But Mundy really likes what he sees: full tables that are driving sales increases as much as 20 percent.
"I was the first franchisee to roll out ESP, and I'm very thankful I did"
Like other Fazoli's franchisees who have embraced the company's new menu, expanded service program (ESP) and remodeling program, Mundy is experiencing his strongest sales in years. "I was the first franchisee to roll out ESP, and I'm very thankful I did," he said...

Families Save While Money is Raised for Childhood Hunger
LEXINGTON, KY, September 14, 2011 — More than 17 million kids in America are at risk of hunger.  Next week, you can do something to help by dining out.  Share Our Strength's fourth annual Great American Dine Out will be held September 18-24 at nearly 4,000 restaurants nationwide.  The goal is to raise more than one million dollars for childhood hunger initiatives, such as breakfast, afterschool and summer meal programs, as well as expanded access to food stamps for families in need.
Fazoli's is once again participating in the Great American Dine Out with an offer benefiting all families.  If you visit a Fazoli's restaurant between September 18 and 24 and make a $1 donation to Share Our Strength, you will receive a coupon worth $5 off any family meal...

LEXINGTON, Ky., July 8, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Summer vacation is a sweet but fleeting time for kids. Fazoli's wants to help capture the moment, so they have designated the week of July 11 as Kids Week. As part of the festivities, up to two kids meals can be purchased for just 99 cents each with every adult entree purchased. The offer is good at participating restaurants July 11 through July 15. Along with great entrees that are baked and boiled, not fried, every kid's meal comes with activities to challenge the brain during the summer vacation break.

Kids Week is a natural promotion for Fazoli's. It was rated one of the 10 best menus for kids out of all fast casual restaurants by Parent's Magazine in 2009. It also holds Kid's Night at participating restaurants on Tuesdays from 5 – 8 p...

New franchising program is next step in chain's growth strategy LEXINGTON, Ky.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--With a new menu, new prototype and a new service style driving a sales turnaround, Fazoli's CEO and President Carl Howard announces the addition of James Franks as vice president of Franchising.

Franks is a 22-year veteran of franchising with a strong reputation for launching and re-launching brands and their franchise development programs. Most recently, he served as Red Mango's vice president of Franchising.

"James Franks has a strong track record of helping to expand established brands," Howard said. "With his hiring, all the pieces for Fazoli's growth are now in place."

Prior to Red Mango, Franks served as the national director of Franchise Sales at Dunkin Brands...

Remodeled Restaurants Open This Week April 27, 2011 // Franchising.com // Lexington, Ky. – While kids were cleaning off bikes, moms were preparing flower beds and dads were sprucing up the yard, Fazoli's was busy getting its five Omaha-area restaurants ready for spring with an all-new look and expanded service.

The Italian restaurant this week is debuting table service designed to make family dining more enjoyable and convenient. Instead of ordering and returning to the counter to get their meals, guests will relax while servers deliver meals and refill beverages. Called the Expanded Service Program, it includes the return of dining room breadstick delivery. Also as part of the new service style, traditional plates and silverware have replaced Styrofoam, plastic and paper...

LEXINGTON, Ky., April 7, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Photos of mullet haircuts, parachute pants, and any other "old school" behavior can be traded in for free spaghetti as part of a promotion developed by Fazoli's. Bring your old school photo to any participating Fazoli's, order one of the new Old School entrees, and receive a coupon for free spaghetti on your next visit. Every generation is encouraged to participate, from Baby Boomers to Millennials, because fashion faux pas and technical lapses are timeless.

Fazoli's Old School Promotion includes more than just one free plate of spaghetti. You have a chance to win free spaghetti for a year. The only catch is you have to be willing to share your old school ways with the world, posting photos on facebook...

Lighthouse after-school program receives $500 donation March 02, 2011 // Franchising.com // Fazoli's is spicing up the Lincoln dining scene with today's opening of its second location, 5012 N. 27th St., which features the restaurant's all-new menu, new design and new, expanded service style. Fazoli's also just finished remodeling its Vine St. restaurant and added expanded service, which includes meals and unlimited breadsticks delivered to tables. Traditional plates and silverware have replaced Styrofoam, plastic and paper.

"Lincoln diners can now enjoy a quality of food and a level of service rarely found in quick-service restaurants," said Carl Howard, president and CEO. "Our goal is to make sure busy Lincoln families can enjoy great tasting, affordable meals in a fun, comfortable setting...

Associates Traveled to Florida to Test Knowledge of Recipes, Service, Food Safety and More November 15, 2010 // Franchising.com // Employees from Fazoli's in Lubbock, Texas brought home the coveted Red Colander trophy after winning Fazoli's National Pasta Bowl Championship, held recently at the Ritz-Carlton Grande Lakes Orlando Resort. The quiz show-style competition tests players' knowledge of Fazoli's restaurant operations and culture. Preliminary rounds determined the four finalist teams who advanced to Florida.

Each received $500 American Express Gift Cards, the trip to Florida, a day at Walt Disney World's Magic Kingdom and bragging rights among associates at Fazoli's 220 locations across the country.

"This year, we weren't going home without the trophy," said restaurant General Manager Angie Pena, who coached the employees along with Director of Operations Mark Crayne and Fazoli's Franchise Business Consultant Gregg Siepker...

St. Louis Restaurant also to be Chain's First Non-Traditional Unit LEXINGTON, Ky. --(BUSINESS WIRE)-- America's largest retailer is turning to America's largest premium quick-service Italian restaurant to offer its shoppers a new dining option. Fazoli's today announced the popular Italian restaurant will open in early January 2011 in a St. Louis Walmart. It will be the first Fazoli's located within a retail store.

Fazoli's, a Parents magazine 10-best fast casual family restaurant, is opening in leased space in the Walmart Supercenter located at 3270 Telegraph Rd. The 2,000-square-foot restaurant will seat approximately 50 guests.

According to Carl Howard, Fazoli's president and CEO, "Fazoli's is very excited about partnering with Walmart, and we are committed to ensuring this first restaurant is extremely successful...

32 Lucky Guests to Win Tickets and Hospitality Passes
September 14, 2010 // Franchising.com // Lexington's own quick-serve Italian restaurant, Fazoli's, will help support its home city during the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games by providing meals to dedicated volunteers at the Games. Fazoli's also is giving away 32 pairs of tickets, complete with hospitality passes.
Fazoli's will serve 4,000 meals to volunteers during the Games. Volunteers will enjoy some of the restaurant's signature items, including Spaghetti Marinara, Fettuccine Alfredo, Garden Salad and, of course, Fazoli's famous Breadsticks. Food will be prepared on site at the Kentucky Horse Park. Fazoli's also will provide 1,000 vouchers for volunteers to use at Fazoli's restaurants...