SWEET PEPPERS DELI
OPENS FIRST FRANCHISE
Columbus, MS -- February 23, 2004
Sweet Peppers Deli Franchise Systems, LLC announces the opening
of its first franchise in Hattiesburg, Miss. The franchise was purchased
in February, 2003 by Beth and Clark Callahan of Starkville, Miss.,
and opened in mid January.
Sweet Peppers Deli was created in 1997 by north Mississippi restaurateurs
John, Bernard and Myrrl Bean and Robin Fant. Three successful company-owned
delis in Columbus, Starkville and Tupelo, Miss. provided the prototypes
for franchising the concept in other markets.
"We were very pleased with how our customers responded to the Sweet
Peppers Deli menu and relaxed atmosphere," says Fant, who created
Starkville dining favorite, Bulldog Deli, the inspiration for Sweet
Peppers. "After talking with different restaurant consultants, we
decided to take the next step and franchise. We are very proud of
this company milestone, and couldn't be more pleased to be working
with Beth and Clark."
The Callahan's have over 27 years of experience in the food service
industry including food service sales, fast food, and catering.
Clark Callahan met the Beans and Fant while working as a food service
sales representative for Sweet Peppers Deli, as well as their other
restaurants: Harveys in Columbus, Starkville and Tupelo, the Cotton
District Grill in Starkville, and the Grill at Jackson Square in
Columbus.
"My decision to buy a Sweet Peppers Deli franchise was based on
my experience with them as honest, forthright people, and my knowledge
of the concept's proven success," says Callahan.
After purchasing the franchise, the Callahan's moved to Hattiesburg
in June, 2003 to begin the search for a restaurant location. They
chose the site on Hardy Street in the Oak Grove community based
on demographic and traffic pattern research, as well as it's proximity
to the University of Southern Mississippi and Turtle Creek Mall,
a major Hattiesburg shopping destination.
"We felt that a location close to the mall and USM would provide
us with extra traffic from students and families as well," says
Callahan. "One of the things that attracted us to Sweet Peppers
Deli was that it offers really quality food at a bit of a faster
pace than some of the casual dining options. Plus, it's priced so
that it's very affordable for families."
Sweet Peppers Deli features a menu of salads, soups, signature sandwiches,
panini (Italian pressed sandwiches), and wraps presented in a unique
atmosphere including neon signs, glass garage doors, and outdoor
eating areas.
Prior to the restaurant opening, the Callahan's and their management
staff underwent extensive training with the Sweet Peppers Deli corporate
office, including a month-long stint at one of the company-owned
delis. In addition, they received several hundred pages of guidelines
and store start-up checklists to aid in creating a successful restaurant.
An experienced training team was provided to train new employees
on-site and helped in the restaurant opening.
"We feel that training is the key to helping our new franchise owners
be successful and to maintaining the commitment to quality and customer
service that makes Peppers, Peppers," says Fant.
Sweet Peppers Deli Franchise Systems has also sold franchises in
Memphis, Tenn., and Little Rock, Ark., with Memphis due to open
this summer.
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