Pudgie’s Famous Chicken – Arthur Treacher’s – Nathan Hot Dogs.
Three Great Brands all under one Roof!
Press Release by: TRUFOODS, LLC New York
The Chief Development Officer for TRUFOODS LLC announced today the re-launching of Pudgie’s Famous Chicken. America’s original skinless fried chicken franchise once boasted upwards of 150 units in the Tri-State NY area, but over the last 10 years the company had fallen on hard times and diminished interest from potential franchisees. Andy Unanue CEO of TRUFOODS, LLC said he saw that as an opportunity. “We knew the Pudgie’s brand, the concept and the guest appeal were still strong. People love the product and miss the convenience of having fresh, made to order skinless fried chicken delivered to their door.†Unanue went on to say “The problem was not the concept, but rather the decisions of the former ownership & management team regarding the growth of the brand.â€
Occhiogrosso, one of the original team members that launched the highly successful Ranch*1 chicken franchise in the early nineties said he remembers the great quality and convenience of Pudgie’s as a regular customer when he lived in Queens NY. Occhiogrosso continued by saying “Great food, a simple operation, excellent unit economics and a low cost of entry are the reasons it made sense to offer the franchise system once again.â€
Since the project began in June, the company is negotiating agreements in central New Jersey and numerous others are in the qualification process. Occhiogrosso said “The response from the franchise community has been overwhelming. We are currently negotiating franchise and development agreements that could bring the total commitment to over 50 new units by year end 2010. Our largest group of franchise applicants are experienced food service operators of other national brands that have either built out their territory and are looking for something new or operators who see the growth (20% annually according to The NDP Group as reported in Nation’s Restaurant News 8.3.09) in the delivery and home meal replacement business.â€
Stew Stolz, COO for TRUFOODS has enhanced the core products that made Pudgie’s such a success. Additionally he updated the design of the stores with a fresher more modern look. Stolz said “by simplifying the operating system and developing new menu items we give the guest the quality, consistency and variety necessary to make Pudgie’s more than a fried chicken business, we’ve turned it into a true home meal replacement business.†Stolz formerly the Director of Operations with a Panera Bread franchisee went on to say “the guest will always come back for quality and value and Pudgie’s Famous Chicken “wows†the guest when it comes to quality and value.
TRUFOODS, LLC. Chief Financial Officer, Bob Bagnell remembers the chicken business well from his days with Boston Market. “The difference here is the cost of entry and the convenience for the guest. Pudgie’s is primarily a take-out & delivery business (some units have a small seating area) so the turnkey key cost is greatly reduced from what it might take to open a competing brand or other quick service restaurant. The lower investment combined with the trend by consumers to save money by ordering in more often instead of going out to restaurants, makes the opportunity perfect for franchisees & consumers in today’s market.â€
About TRUFOODS, LLC.
TRUFOODS, LLC owns and operates some of the most highly regarded food franchise names in America including Wall Street Deli, Ritter’s Frozen Custard, Pudgie’s Famous Chicken and Arthur Treacher’s Fish & Chips comprising roughly 100 locations nationwide with annual system wide sales of approximately $40 million.
In August 2007, TRUFOODS, LLC was created by Andy Unanue, a former vice president and chief operating officer of Goya Foods, which was founded by his grandfather and is known as the nation’s largest Hispanic-owned food company with annual sales of more than $1 billion.
TRUFOODS, LLC goal is to grow all of its existing brands organically, doubling or tripling its number of units over the next five years with an emphasis on continued growth in existing markets. The initial focus will be on the Wall Street Deli and Ritter’s brands. Growth is expected to come from a combination of area developers and single-unit operators
Visit TRUFOODS at www.trufoods.com
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