Sizzler Franchise News

MISSION VIEJO, Calif. - (BUSINESS WIRE) - Sizzler USA has expanded its support center infrastructure with the addition of two vice presidents and the promotion of six associates in anticipation of rapid growth.
Richard Pineda joined Sizzler as vice president of Purchasing and Supply Chain. He previously directed purchasing at McCormick & Schmick’s and Kahala, a franchisor of familiar brands such as Cold Stone Creamery, Blimpies and Great Steak & Potato. “Richard brings a unique, comprehensive business approach to purchasing, given his additional experience in operations, sales and franchisee relations,” said Sizzler USA President and CEO Kerry Kramp.
Following 30 years’ association with Sizzler in the United States and Australia, Forbes Collins became vice president of Company and Franchise Operations...

Iconic Brands Taps Seasoned Restaurant Developer, Tony Lutfi, to Accelerate National Growth.
CULVER CITY, Calif., Feb. 7, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Following a three-year hiatus from new franchise expansion, Sizzler, the 53-year-old family-casual steakhouse, announced a deal with proven restaurateur, Tony Lutfi, to develop five new restaurants in the San Francisco Bay Area and upgrade and remodel existing locations in Sacramento, Auburn, Pinole, Hayword and Santa Clara.
The agreement marks the first multi-unit deal for the company since CEO Kerry Kramp took the helm in 2008, and as Sizzler looks to continue its development in California and across the nation in a strategic expansion plan also targeting Chicago, Minneapolis, Denver, Kansas City, and St...

Iconic Brand in Midst of Major Comeback Looks East of the Rockies for Franchise Growth August 22, 2011 // Franchising.com // Culver City, CA – Based on consistent robust sales at its newly remodeled stores and heightened interest among franchisees to re-introduce the brand east of the Rocky Mountains, the restaurant industry may be witnessing the unique comeback of an American brand. At age 53, Sizzler, the iconic family-casual steakhouse franchise, is orchestrating the ultimate brand reincarnation.

Following three years of consecutive same-store sales increases, the 176-unit chain received another boost earlier this summer when Sizzler USA, a U.S.-based management group led by CEO Kerry Kramp, acquired the company from Australia's Pacific Equity Partners, injecting new energy with a 100 percent focus on domestic performance...

Iconic Brand's Ownership Returns to United States Jim Collins, Sizzler Pioneer and Industry Legend, Among New Owners CULVER CITY, Calif. --(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Sizzler, the iconic steakhouse that is largely credited with starting today's popular fast casual segment and introducing the salad bar internationally, is coming home to the city where it was born.

Sizzler USA Chief Executive Kerry Kramp announced today that a management-led group has completed the acquisition of Sizzler's U.S. interests from Australia's Pacific Equity Partners (PEP), which had owned both Sizzler's United States and international operations since 2005. Sizzler USA currently owns or franchises 178 restaurants in the U.S. and Puerto Rico. Terms of the sale – which excludes the international operations – were not disclosed...

CULVER CITY, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- With a top-to-bottom overhaul well underway and a new leadership team in place, Sizzler, America's original family steak house, is again in the franchising business.

Chief Executive and President Kerry Kramp suspended franchise sales shortly after taking the job in 2008. "We really needed to stop and take a close look at every aspect of the business," Kramp said. "We spent the last 18 months listening to our franchisees, our staff and our guests with the goal of learning what makes people love Sizzler."

Veteran restaurant development executive Mark Lyso recently was hired to lead the new franchising effort. Lyso is credited with helping Famous Dave's grow from two to 175 restaurants...

June 04, 2008 // Franchising.com // Kramp's career has taken him from the kitchen to the executive suite at a wide array of restaurant and foodservice concepts, from start-ups to national brands.

"Having an industry superstar like Kerry Kramp lead our talented Sizzler USA team is extremely fortunate," said Kevin Perkins who served as acting president. "He is a highly skilled executive with a proven track record of success in a variety of restaurant-industry segments. He is a man of high integrity, and perhaps more importantly, he's a great food guy." Kramp's appointment comes following the announcement that Sizzler's owners, Pacific Equity Partners, postponed the chain's sale. Kramp most recently franchised Raising Cane's Chicken Fingers restaurants in Minnesota...

CULVER CITY, Calif., Feb. 8 /PRNewswire/ -- Sizzler, the 50-year-old American family steakhouse chain, may return to American ownership, the result of its Australian owners' decision to sell the venerable brand.

Sydney-based Pacific Equity Partners, which acquired Sizzler from Worldwide Restaurant Concepts and took it private in 2005, hired Los Angeles- based Houlihan Lokey to find a buyer for the chain's U.S. and international businesses. It expects to complete the sale within six months. Sizzler's day-to-day operations are unaffected by the decision to market the company.

Sizzler owns or franchises more than 300 restaurants in 17 U.S. states and Puerto Rico, Australia, Japan, Korea, Taiwan, Thailand and China...