Lafayette - 1 December, 2006 -

A restaurant chain that got its start in Atlanta more than 40 years ago is looking to Lafayette as it expands its operations across the country. Huddle House Inc. opened its 400th restaurant in August and hasn't chosen a site for its franchise ownership operation in Lafayette. "You're looking for a location that meets a profile," said David Boatright, a regional director of franchising for Huddle House. "The fast-food business has its own niche. Family restaurants have their own niche. "Somewhere lost in all that is a good place to sit down and have a nice meal. It doesn't have to be fancy. It doesn't have to be quick. Our food is made to order. It's not fast, but it's not something you have to wait 30 minutes for." Huddle House restaurants are open all day, every day and are known for serving any meal at any time. The menu includes breakfast items, salads, sandwiches and steaks. "We chose Lafayette for a new franchise location because it's a perfect match for Huddle House's criteria in terms of population size and the lifestyle of area residents," Philip Greifeld, chief executive officer of the company that reports annual sales of $200 million. "Communities like Lafayette embrace our concept immediately because they are familiar with our well-known brand in other similar towns. Sales at our new locations in new markets around the country are consistently strong right from the start. That's unique in this industry." The initial franchise fee for a Huddle House restaurant is $25,000, and the company can direct the franchisee toward financial institutions that may be able to provide funding to cover construction and startup costs. Boatright said Huddle House has a potential franchisee for its proposed Lafayette location, but is keeping the door open for the local plan and other possible sites around the state. "We have a lot of inquiries. We're looking for that qualified candidate who really knows what it takes to be successful in business," he said. "You don't have to be experienced in the restaurant industry. If you have a good work ethic, the right mind set and a willingness to roll up your sleeves, anything is possible."

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