Support Services.
We provide a franchise support system designed to support your business needs. Escape Enterprises, Ltd., (“EEL”) is committed to delivering a superior level of service to our family of Steak Escape® franchisees.
Our Mission
At EEL, we strive to constantly improve the support we provide to our franchise family. Our highly skilled teams in field consulting, operations, marketing, and training are committed to the highest standards in support of your business. Our core competencies are built upon delivering a fresh product of the highest quality, in a friendly, open setting. In alignment with those core beliefs, our support organization is comprised of specialized facilitators in the areas of Purchasing & Product Procurement, Research & Development, Training, Marketing, Field Services, and Systems Technology. The partnering of resources with functional expertise, allows us to deliver a variety of tactical tools designed to give each franchisee the skills needed to operate a Steak Escape® franchise.
Training Programs
Running a great unit requires a strong sense of commitment, dedication, and a desire to be the best. It also requires a high degree of skill and knowledge of our products, systems, and procedures. Our training team has assembled our core strengths into a cohesive and comprehensive Director Certification Program designed to give each participant everything they need to run an exceptional franchised unit. Every business and operational aspect of our process is covered in detail during the required 3-week certification course, and culminates with a final exam and Serve Safe certification. Upon graduation, the newly certified store directors will be ready to return to their location and begin preparing for pre-opening tasks. We require a minimum of 2 certified directors for each unit, one of which may be the Franchisee. Our Training Team will continue to deliver continuing education at our Annual Franchisee Conferences, to keep each member of our franchise family updated on the latest products, systems, processes, and techniques.
Opening Training & Support
Now that you are nearing the end of your construction and about to get your Certificate of Occupancy, our New Store Openings (NSO) coordinator will work with you to schedule and facilitate the pre-opening training schedule. The NSO coordinator will ensure, via checklist, that each detail is covered. Your Project Manager will make final contact and clear all “punch list” items, so you are ready to go. The NSO team leader will arrive prior to your scheduled opening date and begin final readiness preparations, initiate and schedule delivery of your start-up inventory, and kick off your employee orientation and training. Your NSO team leader will work with you and your staff to deliver pre-opening marketing to your market area. Upon completion of your pre-opening assessment, you and your NSO team leader will determine any additional resources you may need. Opening day will be both exciting and demanding. Your NSO team will stay with you, working side-by-side with you and your team, to ensure the highest level of product quality and customer service. The NSO team leader will also assess each step and cast member so that you have all of the information you need. Prior to departure, your NSO team leader will meet with you to review and recommend your initial operating plan.
Purchasing, R & D and Quality Assurance
Our industry is extremely competitive. Our product has to be the best in our category. Our stringent commitment to product quality from beginning to end is a primary key to our loyal customer following. We remain on the leading edge with product development so that our menu is consistently reflective of the best in freshly-prepared items produced in an immaculate environment. We have developed long-term relationships with our vendors and suppliers and have frequent contact with them to ensure they meet our quality standards, our delivery commitments, and cost objectives. We work diligently with our supplier network so that each Franchisee has the latest information on our national purchase pricing on each item. Our relationship with our distributors is monitored regularly to ensure timely delivery and consistent pricing. Our R & D process invites our Franchisees to contribute their ideas, suggestions, and menu enhancements so that they are thoroughly researched and acted upon. Many of our Franchisee product submissions have become regular, approved menu selections. A formal Quality Assurance Review will be conducted as a part of an overall Business Assessment Review, by your Field Services Consultant.
Marketing
Ever hear the expression “try it, you’ll like it”? Well, as a Steak Escape® Franchisee, you will give your customers and potential guests that opportunity on a regular basis. Product sampling is a vital part of our daily marketing plan. By letting potential customers taste our great food, followed with a value-added coupon, we ensure we get consistent customer trial. In addition to our Sampling program, we offer several annual Limited Time Offer (LTO) product promotions each year as well as a multi-tiered bounce back coupon program for peak shopping seasons. Our Frequency Card is yet another business tool, and a great focal point at the register. Your marketing fee is used to fund the materials you receive for the LTO promotions, and supports our ability to provide professional artwork for your printing and marketing needs at no additional cost to you. As a new Franchisee, you will receive our Marketing Manual and Marketing Media book, designed to give you the tools you need to develop a targeted local marketing and media campaign combining direct mail, newspaper, and door-to-door techniques. Our marketing team stands ready to assist you in developing additional artwork as needed and the production of a variety of media-based material, all of which will be consistent with our brand positioning and image. From in-store graphics, banners, translight inserts, menus, coupons, and packaging, to our uniforms and limited time offers, our marketing team, the standard bearers of our great brand, assists each Franchisee and delivers image- and customer-building tools that have become a hallmark for the Steak Escape® system.
Systems & Technology
Our Point-of-Sale systems provide information to help you manage effectively. With each transaction, your unit is gathering a great deal of information that is vital to you and your ability to operate your business. Part of being a Steak Escape® franchisee is to see your business from all points of view. It is for this reason that EEL has embarked on a technology initiative that allows you to see your store visually, see it from a sales data standpoint, and see it through your customers' eyes. You have the capability to see your store when you’re not there. EEL has a relationship with an organization that can arrange to have web-based surveillance cameras installed in your store. The Technology and Field Operations Teams will assist with methods to help you analyze the sales data and apply it to your business. As a part of our technology initiative, we have identified a Customer Feedback system, through a third party, who specializes in mystery shop surveys and customer experience trends. The sales data coupled with customer feedback will give you the ability to get a complete view of your business, you’ll see it live, you’ll see the numbers and you’ll know what your customers see.
Field Service, Consulting & Support
Your Regional Field Consultant has years of experience in the restaurant industry. Each team member is committed to do their best to support your business, through a variety of actions that include: evaluating sales, recommending business and marketing plans, providing supplemental training and in-store operational guidance, and assisting with other activities designed to market your business. From coordinating your opening, menu and initial inventory, to bringing you the latest in product, process and operational skills, “We’re here for you”.
From your very first visit to our Corporate Campus, each member of the Escape Enterprises Team is committed to helping you grow and achieve your goals. We’ve approved you, trained you, assisted with design and construction, and we’ve been there to get you up and running! Now it’s in your hands, but we’re right there. Our team of Regional Field Consultants are out there in your stores working with you, your directors and cast members to ensure our commitment to deliver the best products, prepared fresh, in a clean, safe environment, and in a friendly, open manner and further ensure that we’re “Serving it Fresh and Hot-Off-the-Grill”!
Escape Enterprises, Ltd.
222 Neilston Street
Columbus, Ohio 43215
(614) 224-0300
(614) 224-6460 - fax