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After working in and managing retail businesses for 16 years, Meghal Shah is turning his attention to Cheesesteaks. Shah has signed a franchisee agreement with Columbus-based Steak Escape, and hopes to have his own restaurant up and running by spring 2012. “I’d been looking at franchise opportunities in either fast food or quick service, and Steak Escape really stood out,” said Shah. “I love their food, and I love their service. I did my research – the company is growing and winning awards.” Shah plans to open one of Steak Escape’s newest models – a strip center end cap with a drive-thru. He’s currently looking at locations in Grove City, Worthington and upper Arlington. Recognizing the importance of location, Shah says this is one part of the process he refuses to rush, no matter how eager he is to get going. Steak Escape is equally excited to welcome him to their team, and has been working with him since March, guiding him through the application process and putting him in touch with other franchisees in the region. “Meghal represents the perfect mix of retail experience, combined with an appreciation of our high standards for food quality and customer service,” said Jeff Fix, VP of Development for Steak Escape. “We are confident he will represent our brand well.” The franchise agreement with Shah is part of an effort by Escape Enterprises, Ltd. (parent company of Steak Escape) to build out the Columbus market in the coming years. The goal is to add 40 stores in the 22-county region surrounding Columbus. Founded in 1982 and based in Columbus, Ohio, Steak Escape is the originator of the mall Cheesesteak concept, though in recent years has expanded to include six different restaurant models. It stakes its reputation on freshly prepared and grilled Cheesesteaks, Fries, Fresh-squeezed Lemonade and a variety of fresh-grilled specialty sandwiches, salads and Smashed Potatoes. Today, Steak Escape restaurants operate in more than 100 cities in 23 states and three countries. For more information about Steak Escape or franchise opportunities with Escape Enterprises, Ltd., visit www.steakescape.com. Steak Escape Grille on North 21st Street in Newark, OH has opened its doors. The restaurant is a strip center model with a drive-thru, part of Steak Escape’s efforts to expand outside of mall food courts and build out the Columbus market. It is the second new Steak Escape to open in the Columbus area this summer. Franchisees Tom and Candace Mowery, of Sunbury, were loyal Steak Escape customers before they became franchisees. “We have been regulars at the Westerville Steak Escape for 10 years,” Tom Mowery said. “We tried other Cheesesteak restaurants, but Steak Escape had the best Cheesesteaks I’ve ever tasted. So when we made the decision to open a franchise, we knew Steak Escape was the right choice.” The Mowery’s daughter, who works in the restaurant, suggested Newark. “She lived nearby and said Newark needed a Steak Escape. We are thrilled to be in Newark and have received a lot of positive feedback from the community,” he said. “We are excited to have the Mowerys as the newest franchisees in our system,” said Dave Smith, Vice President Operations. “Their dedication and passion for serving quality food in a fun atmosphere has proven to be a successful combination.” Since opening on August 22, restaurant sales have exceeded expectations. Founded in 1982 and based in Columbus, Ohio, Steak Escape is the originator of the mall Cheesesteak concept, though in recent years has expanded to include six different restaurant models. It stakes its reputation on freshly prepared and grilled Cheesesteaks, Fries, Fresh-squeezed Lemonade and a variety of fresh-grilled specialty sandwiches, salads and Smashed Potatoes. For more information about Steak Escape or franchise opportunities with Escape Enterprises, Ltd., visit www.steakescape.com. Steak Escape has been named a Military Friendly Franchise for 2011 by G.I. Jobs magazine. The designation places Steak Escape in the top 10 percent of restaurant franchises nationwide. The Columbus-based restaurant chain was recognized for its efforts to recruit military veterans. It is one of more than 4,000 franchises surveyed. The annual poll ranks restaurants based on three criteria, including the number and percentage of veteran-owned franchises, the company’s programs and policies that assist employees who are in the military, and the franchise’s financial commitment to recruit and retain veterans. “We are honored to be recognized in this way,” said Jeff Fix, VP of Development for Steak Escape. “I have the highest level of respect for anyone who serves our country through the military, and our company has always tried to mirror that respect. At the same time, the military members and veterans who have worked with us have impressed us with their work ethic and discipline, so it’s always made good business sense for us to make the effort to recruit and retain them.”
The salads include Grilled Chicken Cobb, Crispy Chicken Caesar and Grilled Chicken Club. Steak Escape also offers its popular One Killer Salad, which is a permanent part of its menu. Since their debut in early April, salad sales have doubled for many Steak Escape locations compared to the same time frame last year, contributing to an overall sales increase. “People want to eat healthier. That’s a nationwide trend,” said Dave Smith, Vice President of Operations for Steak Escape. “And especially at this time of year, with swimsuit season just around the corner, people are paying more attention to what they eat. We wanted to offer more salad options to our guests to meet that need. It gives them another reason to come back, as well as to entice new customers.” The Grilled Chicken Cobb Salad includes grilled chicken breast, bacon, crispy fried onions, tomatoes, black olives and bleu cheese crumbles on a bed of mixed salad greens. The Crispy Chicken Caesar Salad combines Steak Escape’s crispy Chicken Nibblers with Parmesan cheese and croutons, atop mixed salad greens. The Grilled Chicken Club Salad features grilled slices of chicken breast, bacon, tomatoes and cheddar cheese on mixed salad greens. Jack Harris has been a Steak Escape customer for years. Now he’s spreading his love of the legendary Cheesesteak across the Columbus, Ohio, region in a big way. Harris, owner of CMH Hospitality, Inc., has signed an agreement with Steak Escape’s parent company, Escape Enterprises, Ltd. (EEL), to open ten restaurants over the next four years in the Columbus area using Steak Escape’s newest model, the strip center end-cap with drive through. “It’s exciting for me to be a part of something I’ve enjoyed for so many years,” said Harris. “The Steak Escape brand of quality food and fun atmosphere has proven to be successful, and I see a lot of potential for growth even beyond this initial contract.” Harris, who holds a degree in hospitality management from Ohio State University, has more than 25 years experience in the restaurant and hospitality industry. His career has included managing both individual restaurants as well as entire regions for well-known brands like Cooker, Longhorn Steakhouse, Ted’s Montana Grill and, most recently, Stoney River Investments. “We’re thrilled to work with Jack, not only because of the depth of operational experience he brings,” said Ken Smith, Chairman of Escape Enterprises, “but also because of the level of commitment he shows to his community. He wants to play an integral role in his community, and that is exactly in line with our company’s philosophy of building strong relationships within the neighborhoods we serve.” Harris expects to open his first Steak Escape in the third quarter of 2011 in New Albany, OH, approximately 10 miles northwest of Columbus. “We’re looking at a lot of options,” said Harris. “We are seeing success in finding strip center opportunities that allow us to include a drive through window which is key for customer convenience.” Because banks are not jumping at the chance to fund restaurant ventures, EEL leaders knew they would have to get creative to back a venture of this size. Harris and Mark Turner, President of EEL, are putting together a $3.1 million investment fund to build the ten units. “Our projections show that this is a solid opportunity,” offered Turner. “We recently opened a strip center model in Hilliard that is exceeding expectations so we feel pretty good about the returns we are projecting for this venture.” The ten-unit agreement with Harris is part of EEL’s greater plan to build out the Columbus market in the coming years. “We see that there is an opportunity to build up to 40 units in the 22-county region in and around our hometown of Columbus,” said Jeff Fix, VP of Development for Steak Escape. “We have three additional new stores under construction and a number in development, all to make it very easy for people to enjoy our great food throughout the central Ohio area in the very near future”
Article printed in Columbus Business First on 3/25/11. Metropolitan Partners LLC is adding another restaurant to its City Brands portfolio. The developer, which acquired Las Margaritas and the Wine Bistro last year, has become a Steak Escape Grille franchise operator and plans to open its first shop in June at a retail plaza at the corner of Dublin Road and Grandview Avenue in Columbus. Partner Tim Rollins said City Brands’ restaurant holdings wouldn’t have fit well at its plaza, but the company wanted an eatery to make the most of the busy corner. “There’s a lot of through traffic and a more transient character than some of our other sites around town,” he said. The developer has six other properties in Central Ohio where it put its dine-in Mexican food chain and its two wine shops. Jeff Fix, a spokesman for Columbus-based Escape Enterprises Ltd., said the high-visibility site should showcase the brand, which has been moving from mall food courts to stand-alone shops. The 88-unit chain expects to open 20 shops this year, he said, including several in Central Ohio. One is under construction in Newark, with others under development for New Albany, Pickerington, Marion and Circleville. – Written by: Dan Eaton, Columbus Business First Ruth Short, Haines City, Florida
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