SAN RAMON, CA, August 29, 2009
/24-7PressRelease/ -- As part of its rapid growth initiative, Straw Hat Restaurants opened its second Straw Hat Express franchise this week at 525 W. Nees Avenue, in Fresno, CA. The new-concept eatery represents aggressive expansion plans for the chain, which recently celebrated its 50th anniversary and plans to double in size to more than 100 eateries by the end of 2010. Straw Hat, which has historically been in California, is embarking on a national expansion to Arkansas, Arizona, Florida, Oregon, Nevada, New Jersey, Texas and beyond.
"What's exciting about the new Express is that it brings Straw Hat back to Fresno," says owner Gaurav Seghi. "All our customers have been coming in saying how happy they are to have Straw Hat back in town."
The new Straw Hat Express is part of a convenience store and gas station, says Seghi, who is predicting $60,000 in pizza sales per month and already is eying more Straw Hat Express sites in the San Diego area.
"We're a bright spot for Americans who are looking for good, inexpensive food and who love their pizza," says Seghi.
Once touted as California's largest pizza chain, Straw Hat sold many of its stores, including its former Fresno location to Pizza Hut in the late 1980s, but now is aggressively ramping up again. The new Express unit underscores Straw Hat's continued growth, despite the current recession. Earlier this year, Straw Hat Restaurants was named the 5th top fastest-growing restaurant company on a team of rising-star chains with sales between $25 million and $50 million, according to Technomic Inc., the most recognized food industry consulting firm.
The California-based premiere pizza and restaurant chain is embarking on its national expansion with its traditional pizza eateries, but is also adding this new Straw Hat Express franchise to the chain. The cost-efficient "Express" is aimed at the carry-out and delivery business.
The new-concept eatery represents aggressive expansion plans for the chain, which recently celebrated its 50th anniversary and plans to double in size to more than 100 eateries by the end of 2010. Straw Hat, which has historically been in California, is embarking on a national expansion to Arkansas, Arizona, Florida, Oregon, Nevada, New Jersey, Texas and beyond.
"We want to invite the customers in," says Seghi.
"The Straw Hat Express caters to both the local community and traveling families and business travelers," said Jonathan Fornaci, president of Straw Hat Restaurants. "Straw Hat is succeeding because it has been able to preserve what is important to the American family - being together and sharing a meal," says Fornaci.
For five decades, Straw Hat has drawn young people, sports teams, business lunch goers and families who want to spend time together on weekends. Last year, Americans ordered more than 5.5 billion pizzas, according to the market research company NPD Group, more than any restaurant item other than burgers and fries.
The Straw Hat Express in Fresno will serve the chain's signature layered, flaky crust pizza with Straw Hat's own secret recipe sauce, made from California ripened fresh-packed tomatoes and six kinds of Real California Cheese.
About Straw Hat Restaurants
Founded in 1959, Straw Hat Pizza is the originator of "Genuine California Pizza," and is comprised of 62 locations in California. Straw Hat is poised for rapid growth in the U.S. The franchise recently was awarded the prestigious seal of Fair Franchising by the American Association Franchisees & Dealers (AAFD) and awarded "hottest franchise" by America's Hottest Franchise.
For more information: Nina Lesowitz, nina@spinergygroup.com.
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