Happi House Sees Spike in Catering Sales
Happi House, an emerging teriyaki restaurant franchise, focuses on growing 'affordable catering' market, tripling its catering sales.
-- Chain Leader, 5/22/2009 11:56:00 AM
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In an economy where businesses are cutting back on corporate events and cancelling employee retreats, Happi House's marketing director, Kevyn Johnston, said the company was delighted that its off-premise business catering sales represented the company's highest revenue center increase for the first quarter, and said the company sees a growing trend towards more economical catering options.
Happi House's management believes that the rising demand for affordable catering options will continue as groups and businesses continue to work within streamlined budgets. "I think businesses are reluctant to simply do-away with corporate functions," says Joshua Richman, CEO, "It's good for business to rally the troops or reward performance in a group setting, so the question becomes, how can we do it without breaking the budget?" Richman says that companies are likely to maintain more frugal budgets even after the economy recovers, "I think once businesses adopt a leaner mentality they'll be reluctant to spend the big bucks for employee parties anytime soon," said Richman.
"In today's economy we are witnessing an increasing number of groups and businesses choosing quick-service brands as a catering option," said Johnston, "before they may have taken their group to a sit-down restaurant or hired a formal catering company, these days they are seeking ways to cut those costs." Johnston said that catering sales were up nearly 300% from same period last year. "I know there are a lot of competitors in the catering market - even many QSR chains," says Johnston, "but an event organizer's first concern is that their guests are happy with the food, so we concentrate on off-premise flavor and quality, as well as value." Happi House delivers a specialized catering menu featuring a complete meal of their famous teriyaki chicken, pork or beef, Asian chicken salad, edamame and two kinds of rice, for less than $6 per person.
Happi House is actively engaged in a new push for growth and franchising, touting that in addition to the spike in catering activity this year, overall sales continue to climb. "We're fortunate that the Happi House concept is somewhat recession resistant and that sales continue to grow in today's economic environment," said Richman, "we're confident that regardless of the woes of some other chains, this is a great time for Happi House to grow." continued Richman.
About Happi House:
Established in 1976, Happi House has long been a Bay Area culinary institution and regional favorite. The quick service California teriyaki restaurant first opened in San Jose's Japantown as a result of demand for a casual, value-oriented neighborhood restaurant. Happi House integrates fresh California teriyaki flavors with a streamlined cooking system that provides top quality products, speed of service, and cost efficiencies. Happi House Restaurants, Inc. owns and operates Happi House Teriyaki restaurants throughout the San Francisco Bay Area and plans to open several more company owned and franchise locations during the next year. For more information contact Kevyn Johnston at 408.866.5966
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