![]() Sales outside the four walls peaked at north of 20 percent, and has since settled to 15 percent. COVID forced the restaurant’s hand, however. As a result, Black Bear Diner was passive about it and the off-premises channel only mixed 7 percent. The chain rolled out third-party delivery via Olo in the fall of 2018, but admittedly, Adams said the chain was conflicted on the move due to its emphasis on the four-wall experience. A growing portion of that is coming from off-premises sales. Corporate AUV is $2.8 million, an increase from $2.5 million before the COVID pandemic. Of that, corporately run outlets represented $193 million. ![]() “We actually have a healthy group, and all of those groups that have been opening diners these last couple of years were opening pre-pandemic. Obviously it was a difficult time, but as we recovered, they were equally as excited to jump back in.”īlack Bear Diner earned $435 million in systemwide sales last year, an increase of $26 million compared to 2022. “It’s not just one or two franchisees out there growing,” Adams said. The top eight franchisees represent 16 percent of the footprint. The franchised network is made up of 33 partners, and about half of them own more than one store. Build-out costs are around $1.5 million to $1.7 million, which includes pre-opening and net of TI from landlords. To address inflationary construction costs, Black Bear Dinner launched a slimmer 4,600-square-foot prototype that preserves dining room space and maintains the same sales volume. In 2019, 30 diners earned more than $3 million in annual sales that figure rose to nearly 55 in 2023. And these units are bringing in a lot of volume. The chain is big on second-generation opportunities, endcaps, freestanding spots, and even travel centers. ![]() Black Bear Diner has also proven it can work in a variety of footprints. Some locations are rural-based, others are in suburbia or large DMAs like Houston. Of the 156 locations, 91 are franchised, but each unit keeps a unique touch. Stores are cabin-themed and feature carved bear totems, really bringing home a natural, camping vibe. We cross a broad household income span as well.” We think we’re exactly where we need to be. And so Black Bear Diner is very well-positioned to do all of that, and particularly in this environment. It’s the food offering, the hospitality, and really creating a memorable experience. “So the value proposition, we believe we absolutely deliver across that spectrum and it’s larger than just the check,” Adams said. The best-selling dish during this period is the Chicken Fried Steak Dinner. As for dinner, that mixes 25 percent and has an average check of $16.54. For both of these dayparts, the most popular item is Bear’s Choice, which provides two eggs and a diner’s choice of protein (bacon, sausage, or hickory smoked ham steak) and entrée (pancakes, waffles, biscuits and gravy, or French toast). Breakfast mixes 37 percent and comes with an average check of $16.68. Lunch accounts for 38 percent of sales and has an average check of $16.36. Those items are offered across three dayparts, with restaurants running from 6 a.m. That starts with the menu, which is all-American fare and large portion sizes. ![]() And then now we are at the juncture where we’ve reignited our growth and we’re very bullish on the future.”Īlthough Black Bear Diner navigated well through the pandemic, it’s happy to have customers back in dining rooms because of how much effort is put into the sit-down experience. “We exited with all but one of our diners coming out of the pandemic. “We’ve weathered the pandemic,” said Adams, presenting at the ICR Conference earlier in January. It has a total addressable market of 800 stores coast to coast, according to the CEO. It followed with 13 more across the next three years to put it at 156 nationwide.Īnd Black Bear Diner is far from done. Unlike many of its peers, the brand managed to open a net of five restaurants in 2020. Thousands of restaurants closed their doors.Īt the time of Adams’ promotion, Black Bear Diner stood at 138 locations and was on the cusp of celebrating its 25th anniversary. Following lockdowns was a paring of the industry. Anita Adams was appointed CEO of Black Bear Diner in January 2020, weeks before the U.S.
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