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Restaurant looking to expand
Published on: 11/6/2009.
MANAGING DIRECTOR of Chefette Restaurants, Ryan Haloute, said the company was expanding its operations during the current recessionary period to be better prepared for the future.
He was explaining to the WEEKEND NATION why the chain had taken the decision to open a multi-million-dollar restaurant on about 35 000 square feet of land in the densely populated Black Rock, St Michael community next year.
The official ground-breaking was done yesterday.
"Companies that efficiently manage their expenses and strategically expand during a recession are usually the first ones to come out of this climate when the economy begins to improve, and are usually better poised to face any form of competition that may arise in the future," Haloute stated.
"Chefette has been in operation for 37 years and we have full confidence that the Barbadian community on the whole will support us during both challenging and flourishing times, as our track record speaks for itself."
Haloute said the new facility would not be the company's last, as plans were afoot for even further expansion.
"We are currently in a rapid development and expansion mode as we aim to refurbish approximately six of our existing locations, in addition to opening more locations in Barbados within the next two years.
"One of the core reasons we sold our prime property at Holetown last year, which we opened during the recessionary period of 1991, was to repay our bank loans and to fund this rapid growth."
Chefette will have 14 restaurants when the Black Rock branch opens.
Construction of the new state-of-the-art facility began towards the end of last month. It will have both indoor and outdoor seating for over 150, while providing employment for 50 people. (CH)
6 comment found!
More Chefettes : 11/7/2009
Why so many in a 166sq mile area. We would love one here in the states. I miss my rotis and Chefette is the first place I stop at when I get home. They need to look into expanding outside the island.
Rihanna and Chefette. : 11/6/2009
Rihanna should not have to spend one penny at Chefette for the advertisement she do for them whenever she is on the TV here in the US. When you enter Chefette her picture should be the first thing your eyes see.This is what Mr.Trotman should ask the Haloutes about also.In Barbados you would not even know that this super star is Bajan but they would want her to sell Barbados. Check out the ads.here that Jamaica does and there is a Bob Marley tune or picture in them.
re: Iden : 11/6/2009
When you have a local market on lock (aka a monopoly) you don't want to branch off. Chances are you will make more money in the market that loves your product/service, taking a risk abroad is therefore a big risk. They figure why take a risk outside of Barbados when we could expand here with the little competition and make a couple more millions. Chefette wud fail in countries like the Eastern Caribbean because that part of the region believes strongly in cooking food and the restaurants that make money are not ones that offer things like Chefette, they sell breadfruit, pelau all types of ground provisions and sorrel/ginger/mauby (hardly any sodas). Secondly, KFC has the fast-food consumers on lock in the E.C. Thirdly, unless Chefette becomes very very Caribbeanish (kinda like Golden Crust) they won't survive with Burger King, McDonalds and Wendys. With all that being said, I'm sure they could give Rihanna an endless supply of chicken rotis and she wud make it popular. surprised they hadn't done that yet since she always talks about how she loves Chefette Roti.
Cheffette : 11/6/2009
small portions and dry food will not make big money!
Chefette Spread Your Wings : 11/6/2009
I agree with Iden. Go into the arena with others in other countries. Prove yourself.
: 11/6/2009
Still can't understand why these people want 20 restaurants in Barbados, but seem afraid to branch out overseas! I am convinced that Chefette's products are world class and that the company would do very well in the other Caribbean Islands, especially Trinidad and St. Lucia. They should then even explore the US, Canadian and UK markets. I am sure investors would line up for joint venture partnerships!
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