OVATION BRANDS
Ovation Brands sets contemporary course for former Buffets, Inc.
OCT 30, 2013
With a resounding applause as a backdrop Ovations Brands was launched today that signaled an end to Buffets, Inc., ironically on the 30th anniversary of the former brand.
“It is about applause. We have six brands around the country and if we are not causing our guests to give a round of applause on each restaurant that they visit, then we are not doing our job,” CEO Anthony Wedo said. The announcement and unveiling of the new corporate logo took place at the corporate headquarters on Lancaster Street behind Ryan’s.
Wedo, Buffets CEO, is on 'Undercover Boss' Friday
OCT 16, 2013
Anthony Wedo, CEO of Buffets, Inc., headquartered in Greer, learned a powerful lesson filming “Undercover Boss”, which will be televised on CBS this Friday.
“I am personally committed to families,” Wedo said. “I’ll tell you what “Undercover Boss” did for me. I knew we had certain issues out there, so I was excited to do the various jobs that I did in ‘Undercover Boss.’
Buffets, Inc. ad agency of record, Ink Link Marketing, wins national award
SEP 29, 2013
Ink Link Marketing, the PR and Promotions Agency of Record for Buffets, Inc, headquartered in Greer, won a silver award for New Agency of the Year presented by Bulldog Reporter LLC.
Ink Link, based out of Pembroke Pines, Fla., took one of the nation’s largest steak-buffet restaurant companies Buffets, Inc., in the midst of its second bankruptcy filing, and introduced new programs and helped generate positive news.
Buffets, Inc. reports positive store sales for second straight quarter
AUG 19, 2013
Buffets, Inc., headquartered in Greer, parent company Ryan’s, Old Country Buffet, Fire Mountain and Hometown Buffet restaurants reported positive same store sales growth for a second quarter in a row, beating the industry's performance and producing Buffets’ best annual same store comp sales performance in eight years, according to a statement released by the company today. No percentages or statistics were included in the news release.
Third quarter sales, ending April 3, were reportedly up 1.7 percent, the best year-over-year quarterly comparable sales performance in seven years.
Buffets, Inc. adds two VPs to newly-created positions
JUN 26, 2013
Buffets, Inc., has named Chip Romp as Vice President of Training, and restaurant development professional and Jay Allen to Senior Vice President of Real Estate and Development. Both will be based at the company’s headquarters in Greer in the newly-created positions.
Buffets brands include Hometown Buffet, Ryan’s, Country Buffet, Old Country Buffet and Fire Mountain
Buffets, Inc. reports best quarterly sales in past 7 years
APR 24, 2013
Buffets, Inc., headquartered in Greer, reported sales up 1.7 percent for the quarter ending April 3. It’s the best year-over-year quarterly comparable sales performance in seven years.
Company officials attribute the improvement to the fast track implementation of its turnaround blueprint “Plan to Win” that was launched last July.
Buffets, Inc. promotion offering a digital camera a week
APR 2, 2013
Greer-headquartered Buffets, Inc., is promoting “Say Cheese” online photo-sharing sweepstakes that can earn a weekly winner a Canon Digital PowerShot camera.
Customers are asked to take an individual photo, family or friends smiling at any of the buffet-style restaurants – a Ryan’s, HomeTown Buffet, or Old Country Buffet – and upload it to the sweepstakes site. Each week one winner will be awarded a digital camera. No purchase is necessary to participate.
Ryan's offering Friday specials during Lenten season
FEB 18, 2013
Ryan’s is offering Lent-friendly dishes for its customers every Friday during dinner until Easter. Buffets, Inc., headquartered in Greer, is making the offer available for all its restaurants including HomeTown Buffet, and Old Country Buffet.
“Our restaurants are known for giving families a lot of choices to enjoy,” said Jason Abelkop, Chief Marketing Officer for Buffets, Inc. “Whether it’s during Lent or any time of year, we can help families satisfy their culinary needs and cravings.”
Ryan's hosting Valentine's Family Night Date Night
FEB 1, 2013
Buffets, Inc. completes new board of directors
DEC 20, 2012
Buffets, Inc., headquartered in Greer, has appointed restaurant executive Philip Friedman and marketing executive F. Warren Ellish to its board of directors, completing the new seven-member board after the company emerged from bankruptcy. Friedman and Ellish possess over 30 years of restaurant industry experience and each has held leadership positions at growth and turnaround brands in the restaurant and hospitality industries. The appointments are effective immediately.
Buffets, Inc., owns Ryan’s Restaurants, with one located in Greer at 1501 W. Poinsett Street.
“These are true leaders with proven track records of success,” said Rob Webster, Chairman of the Board of Buffets, Inc. “Both Warren and Phil have the practical knowledge of what it takes to turn around and grow a brand, and they understand the need for strong corporate governance. We are pleased to add them to our board of directors, and are excited for the future of our organization with their support and expertise.”
Friedman serves as Chairman and CEO of Salsarita’s Fresh Cantina, an 85-location casual Mexican restaurant chain he acquired in 2011, and as President of P. Friedman & Associates, Inc., a strategic planning and management consulting company he founded in 1986.
Buffets, Inc. gets new CEO for buffet-style family restaurants
DEC 5, 2012
Buffets, Inc., the nation's largest owner and operator of buffet-style family restaurants, which includes Ryan's, today announced the appointment of restaurant executive, entrepreneur and turnaround specialist Anthony Wedo to the position of Chief Executive Officer. With more than 25 years of restaurant industry experience, including a key leadership position with a Fortune 50 brand, Wedo has developed and led the turnaround of major restaurant chains throughout the U.S.
His brand experience includes PepsiCo Restaurants, KFC, Boston Market, Noah's and Manhattan Bagels, and Einstein Bros. Bagels and most recently as CEO of a firm specializing in consulting private equity and professional debt investors in the restaurant industry.
"I believe I'm joining Buffets and this team at the perfect moment," Wedo said. "The balance sheet is fixed and the company generates significant cash flow which will enable us to focus on growing the brand and transforming it into something better than it has ever been. We will be fast tracking the 'Plan to Win' initiatives that members of this team and the Board of Directors have worked so hard to develop, and we are going to execute it successfully."
Buffets, Inc., parent of Greer's Ryan's Corp., add senior marketing execs
SEP 11, 2012
Buffets, Inc., owner of Ryan’s Buffet Corporate headquarters in Greer, and HomeTown Buffet and Old Country Buffet have added two senior marketing executives to its team.
Amy LaFrank has been named Director, Calendars and Programs and Slaton Smith has been appointed as Senior Director, Field Marketing and Media. Both Smith and LaFrank will help fast track the rollout of the company’s marketing initiatives associated with “The Plan to Win,” the company’s strategic blueprint for growth that was rolled out earlier in August at its annual field leadership planning meeting. The plan outlines a renewed emphasis in improving the guest experience through a series of investments in better facilities, better food, and better training and support for its employees.
Ryan's parent company, Buffets, Inc., files for Chapter 11 bankruptcy
JAN 23, 2012
Buffets Inc., parent to Ryan's steak-buffet brands, has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection, closed 81 restaurants and will recapitalize in an agreement with lenders that will convert debt into a controlling equity stake.
Ryan's at 1501 W. Poinsett Hwy. is not effected by the closures and will remain open.
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