Earl
of Sandwich Announces First Franchise Partnership The ‘Original’ Sandwich chain signs deal with
“All Star” Investment Group
ORLANDO, Florida. – Fast-casual sandwich franchise Earl
of Sandwich announced today a development deal with a newly-formed entity,
The Round Rock Sandwich Company LP, headed by Investment Banker Don Sanders,
a founder and director of Sanders Morris Harris. The group also includes
Hall of Famer Nolan Ryan and Houston Astros pitcher Roger Clemens. The
first Houston area location will open in January 2006 in Sugar Land and
plans call for four additional locations in the city as well as restaurants
in Austin, San Antonio and Dallas, within the next two years.
Don Sanders of Round Rock commented, “We are delighted to be associated
with Earl of Sandwich. Robert and Gary really have a fantastic concept
that will compete with any of the sandwich major brands. They have a history
of bringing innovative dining concepts to markets around the world and
this one really delivers.”
The Texas development agreement with The Round Rock Sandwich Company LP
is part of a national expansion plan for Earl of Sandwich, whose corporate
location in the Downtown Disney Marketplace in Orlando has served the
world’s most popular quick food to standing-room-only crowds with
annual sales in excess of $6 million. The next corporate location in Tampa
will open in November, with additional restaurants planned for New York
City, Southern California, The Midwest and Florida in 2006. Company plans
call for 300 restaurants nationwide by the end of 2008.
“Don and his investment group are ideal as our first franchise partners
and to have Houston legends Nolan Ryan and Roger Clemens in the group
gives us a very strong lineup,” said Gary Davis, CEO of Earl of
Sandwich. “They completely understand the strength of the brand
and its potential.”
Rapid growth is nothing
new to the Earl of Sandwich management team, composed of founders Robert
Earl, the entrepreneur behind Hard Rock Café and Planet Hollywood,
and the restaurateur Gary Davis, a long time Earl Associate.
“We aim to be
the Starbucks of the sandwich industry,” added Davis.
Founded in 2004, Earl of Sandwich is collaborating with John Montagu,
a direct descendant of the fourth Earl of Sandwich, the man credited with
inventing the sandwich in 1762. More than 240 years later, John Montagu,
the 11th Earl of Sandwich, and his son Orlando, are re-inventing and reclaiming
their culinary namesake.
The fast food landscape
continues to evolve, and one of the most dynamic segments within the Quick
Serve Restaurants (QSR) market continues to be the growth in sandwiches,
subs and wraps. According to Technomic Inc., a Chicago-based restaurant-industry
consulting firm, U.S. sales in the sandwich segment grew from $13 billion
in 2000 to more than $17.3 billion in 2003--a compounded annual growth
rate of 9.9 percent.
A Menu for
Success
Earl of Sandwich uses the same artisan freshly baked bread for its 14
signature Hot Sandwiches which all sell for $4.95. Best sellers include
“The Original” with fresh roasted beef, cheddar and creamy
horseradish sauce; “The Earl’s Club” of turkey, apple-smoked
bacon, Swiss, lettuce, tomato and “sandwich sauce,” and “The
Full Montagu,” which is roast beef and turkey with cheddar, Swiss,
romaine, tomato and English mustard sauce. Certified Angus Beef is slow
roasted and sliced on the premises every day.
The Fresh Tossed Bowl
Salads are fresh tossed to order and the restaurant bakes fresh Muffin
Crowns, Cookies, Brownies and Cup Cakes daily. The desserts are made in
house and include English Trifle, Yogurt Parfaits and Fresh Fruit Cups.
A full breakfast offering is also available and beverages include Fruit
Smoothies and brewed Iced Teas and Lemonades.
