A new kind of fast food
The story is indeed a familiar one… If I read the dates correctly, the business has only been open for two months and based on previous track records, most of these business do get a lot of “curiosity” traffic for the first couple of months, especially if they are new to an area.
Hopefully their business will continue to sustain itself past the 6 month mark.
Preppers opened in June. What has the response been?We were thinking it would take us about a month or two to get going, but it has been super-busy, which we are very excited about. We can’t even imagine what it will be like when school starts.
Why do you think Preppers has been a success?
First of all, it’s word of mouth; second, the meals are absolutely delicious. And it’s fun. People want to come in and make meals and not have to worry about cleaning it up.
Of course, I hate reading this statement:
You and your husband Rodney both have full-time jobs aside from this business. What made you want to take on something else?Leslie (Lasater) and I absolutely love to cook. And so I told Rodney, “I need to have an outside interest. I want to be able to do something I enjoy.” I love to visit and talk to people, and I thought, what better way to do that and benefit the public?
And yes I find this comment distressing as well…
Our ultimate goal is that we’ll have a bunch of Preppers everywhere. We want to have a successful business in a bunch of the small towns because it’s so beneficial to the community. We believe in it. Our ultimate goal is to provide the service to other people who need it.
I guess they have grand plans of franchising their idea and offering it to people coast to coast.
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August 11th, 2008 at 12:17 pm
Kudos to them for getting a positive article written in their local newspaper! We couldn’t get anyone to write a local interest story when we opened in 2005. By the time anyone wanted to write about us, it was with a negative spin because the bottom was dropping out of the concept in our metro. We were afraid to be excluded, but scared to death that the article would expose how vulnerable our business was at that time - we were already exploring our exit options.
I hope it works out for these folks. I don’t read anything fresh and new about the approach they’re taking. In fact, it sounds very cookie cutter to the vintage 2004 meal assembly business model that has been imploding.
I’ve been watching a new business in the midwest that has taken the meal assembly model in a different direction with “chef-prepared” partially cooked meals that are packaged and sold fresh or frozen at their store or at corporate kiosks. I know the kiosk idea has been batted around before, but they seem to be seeing some success in placing kiosks around the city. At least they’re trying something different!
August 12th, 2008 at 3:43 pm
Easy Meal Prep has a Preppers from Lakeland FL for sale. $40,000 OBO. Is this the same one?
August 12th, 2008 at 6:31 pm
That would certainly be par for the course if it is the same store
August 13th, 2008 at 10:56 pm
Just because a store is for sale, doesn’t mean that you don’t promote the HECK out of it in the meantime. You still have to work it, market it, etc.
When ours was for sale, I still got a couple news articles published…of course, it didn’t help sell it. But conceivably, it helps your place look good while trying to sell it.
August 14th, 2008 at 7:52 am
guest,
I think that’s the point, marketing a failing business or one that has a slim to none chance of being a successful business is not exactly, in my opinion, honest.
That just smacks a little like trying to pass your bad business judgment/decision on to someone else. It has been known to happen that store owners will infer that a store can “go to the next level” with new blood at the helm to which I say baloney-experience and anecdotal evidence has not borne that out either.
Helping your place “look good” to sell it is no better than what the current practice of selling franchises in this industry is.
August 14th, 2008 at 10:00 am
Perhaps - but why shouldn’t the owners still market themselves to still SELL THE PRODUCT? Just because you decide to sell, doesn’t mean you shouldn’t still try to increase your revenue. Unless you are closing your doors (which we finally did) you still have to try!!
August 14th, 2008 at 10:52 am
I’m not disputing that you should still try to get customers in your doors via whatever avenue possible and sell “your product” or in other words your food. Free advertising is always welcome in any business.
I’m specifically addressing representing your business as being healthy and while trying to foist a dog onto someone else. That’s what I find objectionable. If the business didn’t work for you WHY & HOW in good conscious can you participate in an article just so “it helps your place look good while trying to sell it?”…if I was a prospective buyer and bought your place and discovered after the fact that you solicited paper coverage to “help your place look good” while trying to sell it, I would be pissed as hell.
How does what you describe differ from any Franchisor that is still selling the concept?
August 14th, 2008 at 11:15 am
My original comments were based on their only being open for two months and having aspirations of turning it into a franchise. Also, they are still working other full time jobs.
“Our employees are all excellent and make it possible for us to work our full-time jobs and do this. We’re all busy, but it fits into our schedules. It’s a hobby.” As I’ve said dozens of times, this business shouldn’t be treated like a hobby, I think that’s what caused so many problems in the first place.
In regards to the sale, I see the store in the article is located in Texas. Perhaps someone in Florida is using the same name?
August 14th, 2008 at 11:16 am
In my opinion-I really tire of the mantra “at least they’re trying something different.” SO what!
Let’s put our thinking caps on shall we?
“I’ve been watching a new business in the midwest that has taken the meal assembly model in a different direction with “chef-prepared” partially cooked meals that are packaged and sold fresh or frozen at their store or at corporate kiosks.
Honestly that sounds like what John Matthews at Dinner by Design advocated and failed miserably at, at least by all accounts coming to light now.
How is this kiosk idea going to be cost effective for consumers? What’s the diferentiating factor to this concept? Convenience? It’s still an extra stop-and they can get a similar product at the grocery store, where they go anyway!
I’ve done the personal chef thing and believe me in order for me to make a profit on a concept like this I would need massive amounts of volume.
Consumers can get reasonably priced-high quality “chef-’made” meals in most grocery stores in metro areas even in my neck of the woods I have two high end grocery stores that sell pre-made fresh entrees to go at great prices.
Personally-I don’t think it’s going to fare any better than the grab & gos that we see in MAK’s now.
” I know the kiosk idea has been batted around before, but they seem to be seeing some success in placing kiosks around the city.”
My question is are they making money? Rule #1-make money-it’s called business.
For you to say “they seem to be seeing some success?” a little nebulous isn’t it?
Seem to be, some success???
Why would I go to a kiosk or drive through-wait in line to buy food that I still have to take home and cook and then clean-up?
I can do better than that for convenience at a restaurant that offers curb-side service and have a hot meal ready for plating when I get home, or better yet, eat out of the restaurant containers and save my dish washing time.
I do like the train station idea-I think that one may have merit-I hope they do well, but the kiosk idea apart from it being in a place where the masses are already like the train station? I don’t personally think so.
August 15th, 2008 at 4:55 pm
Whoa ATC!
I think I accidently touched a nerve. I probably didn’t provide enough info about the kiosk thing because I really didn’t want to reveal who or where I am. That said - I think that what this company is doing is very similar to what Amy will be doing at the train station. Customers order ahead and pick up their already-prepared meals from a kiosk (strategically placed freezer) that holds their meals until their designated pick up time. They take same-day orders and offer everything ala carte. They also offer most menu items in three sizes: single, half and whole.
Will it work? Are they making money? Can it compete with restaurants and grocery delis? I really don’t know. If I asked them, they’d probably tell me it’s none of my business. But, I think they should get credit for launching what others have only talked about. That should count for something, shouldn’t it? I sure do wish them great success. They’re trying something that I simply ran out of time, money and energy to even think about.
Sorry for ticking you off. I posted that so long ago I really figured it went unnoticed. All I was trying to do was put it out there because there seem to be a few owners that are still trying to innovate their way out of a mess and maybe this would inspire an idea. I wasn’t trying to poke you in the eye. If I had known that the topic was so unpleasant for you, I would have skipped posting at all. I really don’t want to get on your bad side. I need my head for whatever I do next.
August 15th, 2008 at 5:58 pm
Was I being a cranky pantz again? I think you all take me too seriously sometimes.
I’m sorry, but I did help to get the blood pumping didn’t I?
You can take a shot at me it’s OK, I can handle it, I’ve raised 2 boys, I’ve been married 26 years to the same WONDERFUL guy-who miraculously seems to enjoy spending time with me-go figure-had what the world calls “it all” and then lost it and lived to tell the tale.
LOL…you guys crack me up. You guys remind me of my kids, sheesh.
I’m certainly not anyone to be scared of. I’m just a big OLD fuzz ball.
You certainly didn’t tick me off, you didn’t even touch a nerve, just expressing my opine as usual with tact and aplomb. NOT.
I happen to like the process of debate, the airing of both sides and arguing, that’s it.
There is no way to get on my bad side unless you cheat people or are out to scam someone, I’m not so good with idiots either, but since there are none of those here ;).
I certainly do wish anyone who is still plugging along in this industry, the very best, and as much success that they can grab, especially Amy and her sis.
Anyone who skips posting because of me really needs to re-think things.
I’m not a person of much importance in the grand scheme of things.
Good luck with your next project too!
August 15th, 2008 at 6:21 pm
MA- Biz Owner- NO MORE!
Oh no, one tip We must all learn with ATC or (anyone else) when posting, we may or may not agree with everyones views, insights, & research. I personally talk with ATC Everyday, and that is how ATC sounds ALL the time!
Please don’t take this post personal-it truly is ATC passionate side for this Industry shining through
August 15th, 2008 at 6:31 pm
I have had time to adequately reflect on my offending post-I will say in my defense I was PMS blogging :).
Seriously, I’m really like that crazy aunty, every family has one,-she talks and she gets the obligatory mental eye-roll from the more “balanced” people in the family.
August 15th, 2008 at 6:33 pm
Ok I know stupid, but HOW do you guys get that little smiley face to appear on your posts? Oops-Is that one of those Daadidahhh question I should ask someone in private?
August 16th, 2008 at 8:01 am
OK, I’m over it. I’ll stick around and pipe in once in awhile. My family thinks I’m a goofball for still following this industry and this blog. But I really do root for the folks that are still plugging away - even the folks that I was competing with and had to raise the white flag to. And, believe it or not, I continue to learn so much from many of the discussions in this blog about running a business. I’m certainly not interested in opening another MAK, but there are still a lot of smart people that share good stuff here that can be carried over to many businesses.
In the meantime, I am moving forward with the scraps I have left - a brand, a URL and a customer list. Noodling up the next thing, hoping I can still make a difference somehow.
good weekend to all!
August 16th, 2008 at 8:56 pm
MA biz owner-No More-I’m happy you’ve decided to hazard it out and continue to hang here. I’m also glad to know I’m not the only one in the interverse whose family thinks is a freak because there is still that “lovin feelin” for the MA biz. My hubby just shakes his head and my kids, well, I’m their Mom what can they say?
This has NOTHING whatsoever to do with anything-but my ADD is kicking in,
I saw this OLD, ORANGE!!! & chrome 1950ish Chevy station wagon today with those furry dice hanging from the rearview mirror and a steering wheel the size of a Hoola-hoop. It as just a hoot to see this old guy in it, barely able to see over this huge steering wheel, it reminded me of Lily Tomlin in that rocking big chair she sat it on Laugh-In.