Friday, July 18, 2008

The Ft. Lauderdale Sun Sentinel reports that a number of South Florida restaurants bearing the names of well known athletes have closed down.  The key for success, restaurant and sports experts say, is the right mix of good food and atmosphere, location and experienced management.

Each situation is unique. Some athletes lend their names and likenesses in exchange for a percentage of food and merchandise sales. Some become investors and have a say in the decor and menu. Others, such as Hall of Fame Miami Dolphins coach Don Shula—Shula’s Steak Houses, and former Dolphins Offerdahl Offerdahl’s Cafe Grills, and Bob Brudzinski
Bru’s Room Sports Grills, enter the restaurant business.

“It’s location, location, location for the rule of thumb for any real estate deal. And after that, it’s food, food, food,” said Tom Prakas, of The Prakas Group in Boca Raton, which specializes in restaurant brokerage. “The name adds the kicker, and gets them in the door.”

Posted by jcohen in • Restaurant Marketing
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