Sizzler Restaurants.- one of my husband’s all time favorites! We were on vacation last year in Utah. Derek went to Sizzler’s website to see if there were any restaurants along our route. He was so excited when he found one that he planned our trip the next day around the Sizzler restaurant! Umm ummm .. he loves that Malibu Chicken! Years ago I had to learn how to make it which wasn’t difficult. Frozen chicken patty, thin slice of ham, swiss cheese and the “special sauce” which was mayonnaise and mustard mixed together. He had Malibu Chicken at least 2 nights a week for dinner. So this story about Sizzler coming alive is very exciting for Derek. This article says they are converting Blockbuster Video stores – we have an empty Blockbuster store in our town … just wait til Derek hears!
CULVER CITY, Calif. (Jan. 26, 2010) After two years of halted growth, the more than 50-year-old Sizzler chain is setting the stage for a franchise push with a new restaurant design, an upgraded menu and a new management team — the head of which actually wants to buy the chain. Kerry Kramp, president and chief executive of the Culver City, Calif.-based Sizzler USA, said in an interview with Nation’s Restaurant News that he has spent the past 18 months revamping the 191-unit “family casual” chain to become “recession proof.” He now wants to buy Sizzler from its current owners, if or when the economy improves and funding becomes available. He added in a later interview this week: “My goal is to buy the company and have it be owned by management.”
For fiscal 2009, Sizzler booked systemwide sales of $311 million and boasted an average unit volume of about $1.8 million among units sized between 5,000- and 6,000-square feet. The chain’s average check totals $11.82. Of the chain’s 191 units in 14 states and Puerto Rico, 159 are franchised and 32 are company-operated. To boost sales and prepare for brand growth after two years of regrouping, Sizzler has developed a new prototype design and debuted a new menu. Two locations — the Inglewood location and another in Hesperia, Calif. — have been remodeled and saw sales increase by more than 20 percent, Kramp said.
The new prototype includes a more “Americana” look, with light and dark woods, earth tones and stone walls. Colorful photos on the walls aim to reflect the specific neighborhood, and large flat-screen TVs hover over the dining room.
Click here to see photos from the revamped Sizzler in Inglewood.
The cosmetic changes were designed to work easily as restaurant conversions in spaces that may previously have been an Applebee’s, for example, or even a Blockbuster video store, Kramp said.
February 12th, 2010 at 8:25 PM
Too Funny–MMM mmm Chicken- I’m going to send you a few real tasty recipes to add to your collection! You can thank me later =)
Bernice
February 12th, 2010 at 8:51 PM
I say….keep the movies in there too. Dinner and a movie. One stop shopping!!!! Have Malibu Chicken and copy of Pride & Prejudice with Keira Knightly. Now that’s romance!
February 13th, 2010 at 10:39 AM
What a great restaurant concept! If they can find ways to keep overhead down by picking up locations where other businesses did not make it, they could have a shot! Kudos to the management team being willing to put their money where their mouth is.
February 13th, 2010 at 8:52 PM
Where We Sizzle…Yea BABY!!
The Sizzler restaurant in Cedar City, UT is the location for the basis of this story. Another Sizzler incident Patrice didn’t mention occurred the year before on our preceding vacation to Arizona. We ended up in a Sizzler in Cottonwood, AZ on a day trip to Jerome, Arizona.
Living in the Mid-Atlantic region, I just can’t seem to get enough Sizzler since they shut down here about 15 years ago. That’s why whenever I venture out west I keep their locations on my radar as I make my vacation plans.
I look forward to Sizzler’s current expansion plans and I’m crossing my fingers they come back out east.
February 14th, 2010 at 7:48 PM
I think this is great! There are many reasons why I don’t like to see buildings torn down— so if they found a way to convert existing structures and be able to have a successful unit, why no go for it?!
February 15th, 2010 at 9:58 AM
They were able to keep their clientele through 2 generations, and at least 3 recessions! And creative thinking is how they got it done – they stuck with what they knew and kept making it better. Sounds like a recipe for continued success.
February 15th, 2010 at 11:34 AM
I like that Sizzler is making a turn around. Obviously they do have a few fans!!!
February 15th, 2010 at 3:05 PM
Empty Blockbusters huh?! We have an empty one here in “The Dena” too. How cool would that be!
February 16th, 2010 at 6:55 PM
Reminds me of my teenager years…my parents would take the family out to Sizzler if we all behaved. My Father was a fundamental preacher and when he prayed half the restaurant joined hands! I still remember the tantalizing aroma of grilled steaks and the great family time. Thanks for the memory Derek!
February 17th, 2010 at 3:16 PM
Is anyone not upset about blockbuster downsizing?
February 17th, 2010 at 3:43 PM
I have never ate there. Is it similar to Red Lobster? Anyone?