TheWriter
10-14-2005, 12:46 AM
Beer 'N All due in S.A.
Web Posted: 10/14/2005 12:00 AM CDT
Melissa S. Monroe
Express-News Business Writer
Short shorts and tight shirts can go a long way in luring customers. Hooters proved it could be done with its sexy waitresses.
Now another business combining alcohol and cheerleader-dressed women is hoping that sex appeal and convenience will lead to profitability.
Beer 'N All, coming to San Antonio next month, features a drive-through convenience store that includes take-out food, more than 30 flavors of margaritas in sealed containers and more than 100 brands of beer.
At least three locations will open in November, and plans call for 50 stores in five years.
"It's going to be like Hooters Express," said Steve Bergenholtz, president of Dallas-based Franchising Ventures Group, which is launching Beer 'N All. "It's not just the ladies' uniforms. This is more of a festive environment and people having fun."
The women-and-wings model has worked well for Atlanta-based Hooters, which has more than 375 restaurants and an airline.
Three Beer 'N All locations opening next month are at San Pedro Avenue, two blocks from San Antonio College; West Avenue and Jackson Keller Road; and Military Drive and Roosevelt Avenue.
Some locations such as the one at San Pedro will have a sit-down area and a place for bands to perform. Others might be strictly drive-through.
As more stores open, the company could have as many as 200 employees within 18 months, Bergenholtz said.
Evis Sanchez, Beer 'N All's director of operations, started off Wednesday interviewing four women. By the end of the day, word had spread, and she was booked solid with meetings.
It shouldn't be too hard getting to 200 employees, as Beer 'N All's Web site, www.girlshired.com, is advertising starting pay at $10 an hour, plus tips.
The Web site suggests that employees be friendly, enjoy smiling and want to have fun.
That goes far beyond just having sex appeal, said Todd Myers of Hooters on the River Walk and president of the San Antonio Restaurant Association.
"If a pretty girl doesn't know how to talk with customers, then that does more harm than good," Myers said. "It's a complete package."
Besides great service, restaurants need to have an appealing menu or customers won't come back, Myers added.
The convenience chain Beer 'N All will serve hot food such as tacos, tamales and possibly Chinese food. It also will sell sodas, milk and coffee.
Bergenholtz and a partner formed Dallas-based Franchising Ventures Group late last year. They developed a business model to take the risk and headaches out of franchising.
But this is not the first drive-through concept for San Antonio. Diane Flores took over a similar business that had a track record of serving residents for more than 50 years. She said she used to frequent the business with her grandparents.
"What's important is the service you give people and the way you treat them," said Flores of Diane Ice House on the West Side. "People also like the convenience of not getting out of their cars, and we pump their gas. Snow, rain or shine, we are here."
Bergenholtz, who also runs a publishing company and has operated a video-game firm in the past, hopes to franchise more than 200 Beer 'N All stores in the United States. So far his group has invested $5 million in the San Antonio venture.
"Today society wants sheer convenience by not getting out of their car," Bergenholtz said. "Comparing it to a traditional convenience store, we expect to do 40 percent better."
http://www.mysanantonio.com/business/stories/MYSA101405.1D.beernall.1c69d407.html
Web Posted: 10/14/2005 12:00 AM CDT
Melissa S. Monroe
Express-News Business Writer
Short shorts and tight shirts can go a long way in luring customers. Hooters proved it could be done with its sexy waitresses.
Now another business combining alcohol and cheerleader-dressed women is hoping that sex appeal and convenience will lead to profitability.
Beer 'N All, coming to San Antonio next month, features a drive-through convenience store that includes take-out food, more than 30 flavors of margaritas in sealed containers and more than 100 brands of beer.
At least three locations will open in November, and plans call for 50 stores in five years.
"It's going to be like Hooters Express," said Steve Bergenholtz, president of Dallas-based Franchising Ventures Group, which is launching Beer 'N All. "It's not just the ladies' uniforms. This is more of a festive environment and people having fun."
The women-and-wings model has worked well for Atlanta-based Hooters, which has more than 375 restaurants and an airline.
Three Beer 'N All locations opening next month are at San Pedro Avenue, two blocks from San Antonio College; West Avenue and Jackson Keller Road; and Military Drive and Roosevelt Avenue.
Some locations such as the one at San Pedro will have a sit-down area and a place for bands to perform. Others might be strictly drive-through.
As more stores open, the company could have as many as 200 employees within 18 months, Bergenholtz said.
Evis Sanchez, Beer 'N All's director of operations, started off Wednesday interviewing four women. By the end of the day, word had spread, and she was booked solid with meetings.
It shouldn't be too hard getting to 200 employees, as Beer 'N All's Web site, www.girlshired.com, is advertising starting pay at $10 an hour, plus tips.
The Web site suggests that employees be friendly, enjoy smiling and want to have fun.
That goes far beyond just having sex appeal, said Todd Myers of Hooters on the River Walk and president of the San Antonio Restaurant Association.
"If a pretty girl doesn't know how to talk with customers, then that does more harm than good," Myers said. "It's a complete package."
Besides great service, restaurants need to have an appealing menu or customers won't come back, Myers added.
The convenience chain Beer 'N All will serve hot food such as tacos, tamales and possibly Chinese food. It also will sell sodas, milk and coffee.
Bergenholtz and a partner formed Dallas-based Franchising Ventures Group late last year. They developed a business model to take the risk and headaches out of franchising.
But this is not the first drive-through concept for San Antonio. Diane Flores took over a similar business that had a track record of serving residents for more than 50 years. She said she used to frequent the business with her grandparents.
"What's important is the service you give people and the way you treat them," said Flores of Diane Ice House on the West Side. "People also like the convenience of not getting out of their cars, and we pump their gas. Snow, rain or shine, we are here."
Bergenholtz, who also runs a publishing company and has operated a video-game firm in the past, hopes to franchise more than 200 Beer 'N All stores in the United States. So far his group has invested $5 million in the San Antonio venture.
"Today society wants sheer convenience by not getting out of their car," Bergenholtz said. "Comparing it to a traditional convenience store, we expect to do 40 percent better."
http://www.mysanantonio.com/business/stories/MYSA101405.1D.beernall.1c69d407.html