Schlotzsky's

Schlotzsky's is an American franchise chain of restaurants, specializing in sandwiches and pizza. The company is headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia. Schlotzsky's has more than 330 franchised and company-owned locations throughout the United States. Most locations are in the south and southwestern United States, but the company is expanding into areas across the country, particularly the north and southeast.[1]

Schlotzsky's
TypeSubsidiary
IndustryRestaurants
GenreFast food
Founded1971 (1971) in Austin, Texas, U.S.
FoundersDon and Dolores Dissman
Headquarters200 Glenridge Point Pkwy, Suite 200,
Atlanta, Georgia
,
U.S.
Number of locations
330+
Area served
United States
Key people
Tory Bartlett (President)
Nicolle Dubose (VPM)
Randy Hayworth (VPO)
ProductsSandwiches, pizzas, salads, calzones, soups
ParentFocus Brands
Websiteschlotzskys.com

Schlotzsky's is part of the Focus Brands portfolio of brands.

History

In 1971, Don and Dolores Dissman founded the company in a "small, hole-in-the-wall shop" in Austin, Texas, on South Congress.[2] The initial menu consisted of one sandwich, called "The Original," consisting of mixed meats, cheeses and black olives on a freshly made, toasted bun."[3] It was based on the muffuletta sandwich.[2] In 1981, the company had 100 franchise stores when real estate investors, John and Jeff Wooley and Gary Bradley, purchased the company for less than $3 million. Bradley split with the Wooleys in 1982, with Bradley taking the real estate business while the Wooleys kept the chain.

The Wooleys expanded Schlotzsky's menu to include specialty pizzas, toasted wraps, salads, soups, and other items.[4] The Wooleys also took the company public on 15 December 1995, trading as BUNZ on NASDAQ.[5]

A Schlotzsky's franchise in Euless, Texas

The chain peaked in 2001 with 759 stores and over $400 million in sales,[6] when same-store sales began to plateau. 2003 saw the company posting an $11.7 million loss; as a result, the Schlotzsky's board of directors relieved the Wooley brothers of day-to-day management on 17 June 2004 and named Sam Coats as the new chief executive officer of the company.[7] The Wooleys eventually resigned from the board in July 2004.[8]

On August 3, 2004, Schlotzsky's filed for voluntary Chapter 11 protection in U.S. Bankruptcy Court in San Antonio, Texas, reporting liabilities of approximately $71.3 million and assets of approximately $111.7 million.[9]

The company ceased public trading when Bobby Cox Companies acquired Schlotzsky's assets out of bankruptcy.[10] Under new ownership and management, Schlotzsky's spent two years strengthening its franchise operations and restructuring the brand.[11][12] The new owner operated the business under the corporate entity Schlotzsky's, Ltd., and began streamlining the menu.[13] Schlotzsky's strengthened franchise operations and licensed new franchisees in Texas and other states. The company also planned to open several new corporate-owned stores.[14]

On 21 November 2006, Schlotzsky's was acquired by Focus Brands, an affiliate of private equity firm Roark Capital Group, parent company of Moe's Southwest Grill, Carvel, Cinnabon and Auntie Anne's.[15] The following year, the company named Kelly Roddy as president, who joined Schlotzsky's from H-E-B Grocery Company.[16] With Kelly on board, Schlotzsky's planned for growth and a system-wide reimage,[17] which included updated restaurants, improved menus,[18] table service, and the addition of Cinnabon.[19] The company remodeled locations across the country with a "Lotz Better" look, which included bright, bold colors, circle-themed furniture and decor and playful slogans.[20]

Slogan

The current slogan is "It's a mouthful", launched in 2021. Former slogans include "All 'Round, Lotz Better", "Lotz Better", "Every Bite Lotz Better", "Funny name. Serious sandwich", "No substituteskys", and "Just one sandwich, it's that good."

See also

References
  1. "Schlotzsky's Growth Skyrockets". QSR Magazine. 27 June 2011.
  2. Smith, Amy (8 October 2004). "Original History". Austin Chronicle. Retrieved 15 October 2008.
  3. "Our Rise to the Top" (Press release). Schlotzsky's. Retrieved 26 October 2005.
  4. "Can Schlotzsky's Be Saved?". Austin Chronicle. 8 October 2004.
  5. "The Life of a Sandwich". Austin Chronicle. 8 October 2004.
  6. "Schlotzsky's new owners want to simplify". Austin American-Statesman. 11 January 2005. Archived from the original on 29 September 2007.
  7. "Schlotzsky's board fires Wooley brothers". Austin American-Statesman. 17 June 2004.
  8. "The Beard Gambit". Austin Chronicle. 8 October 2004.
  9. "Schlotzsky's Files for Bankruptcy". qsrmagazine.com. QSR. Retrieved 26 April 2018.
  10. "Cox Closes Sale of Schlotzsky's". Dallas Business Journal. 10 January 2005.
  11. "Fort Worth company buys Schlotzsky's". Austin American-Statesman. 9 December 2004.
  12. "Schlotzsky's next move". Austin Business Journal. 23 September 2005.
  13. "Schlotzsky's new owners want to simplify". Austin American-Statesman. 11 January 2005.
  14. "Restaurant chains bounce back from bankruptcy". Houston Business Journal. 9 December 2005.
  15. "Focus Brands buying Schlotzsky's". Austin Business Journal. 20 November 2006.
  16. "Schlotzsky's Names Kelly Roddy President". QSR Magazine. 10 December 2007.
  17. "Schlotzsky's gears up for a comeback". Austin Business Journal. 4 April 2010.
  18. "Schlotzsky's adds healthier fare to menu". Austin Business Journal. 18 August 2010.
  19. "Schlotzsky's to co-brand with Cinnabon". Fast Casual Magazine. 25 March 2010.
  20. "Schlotzsky's goes all in with Cinnabon, new look". QSR Magazine. 23 March 2010.
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