Razzoo's LP Invests in $500K Remodel

 

DALLAS & MESQUITE, Texas--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Aug. 22, 2005--For the next couple of weeks, thousands of Cajun food lovers in the Dallas suburb of Mesquite, Texas, will have to drive a little further to Razzoo's Cajun Cafes in Richardson or Arlington to satisfy their Cajun and Creole cravings. Addison, Texas-based Razzoo's LP temporarily closed its Mesquite restaurant with a bang on August 7, celebrating with its regular patrons by presenting them with pieces of the bar that had served the local community for more than a decade.

The renovation is expected to cost approximately $500,000 and will be completed by September 9th, when local AM radio station Sportsradio "The Ticket" KTCK (http://www.theticket.com) will celebrate the re-opening with a live broadcast from the restaurant during its "Hardline" show. The restaurant is located at 3712 Towne Crossing Blvd in Mesquite, just off of the LBJ-635 freeway and immediately northwest of Town East Mall.

Originally opened in May 1995, Razzoo's Mesquite location is the company's highest-revenue producing restaurant and is one of the highest volume restaurants in Mesquite, with annual sales of almost $4 million. The 9,100 square-foot restaurant employs 100 staff, seats about 270 and serves more than 6,000 guests each week.

This renovation is Razzoo's most significant investment in several years, and is totally self-funded. "With only 12 restaurants in our portfolio, this is a large investment for us," said Razzoo's President and Co-Owner Jeff Powell. "We will lose about $350,000 in revenues during the temporary closing in addition to the construction costs, but we know this 'makeover' is worth the cost. It's a way to thank our employees and all of our loyal patrons who have dined with us over the last 10 years. They deserve these improvements to their favorite Cajun restaurant."

Mike Leatherwood, Razzoo's founder and chief executive officer, added, "In order to maintain our position as one of the most popular restaurants in Mesquite, we felt we needed to upgrade this site to be more in line with our brand and concept standards."

Razzoo's worked with Dallas-based design firm Zero 3 on the design, and the commercial construction company Strong Group Inc. is managing the construction. As part of the remodel, the bar and restaurant area are being re-configured to allow for additional bar space and a more comfortable dining area, and a unique wall of bottles will divide the bar from the dining area. One of the restaurant's two patios is being expanded while the other is being enclosed to create a private dining room that will accommodate up to 30. The restaurant will continue with its eclectic but casual Cajun and Southern Louisiana hunting and fishing themes. There are no plans to change the restaurant's menu, which appropriately features "anything that grows in a swamp."

All of Razzoo's high-energy, full-service restaurants feature fried alligator tail, hickory-smoked ribs and their famous "Rat Toes" -- shrimp and crab-stuffed jalapenos -- as well as more traditional Cajun favorites such as gumbo, etoufee, jambalaya and fat po' boy sandwiches. With an average dinner check of $12, the menu features 55 items, including desserts. Entree prices range from $7.79 to $18.99. Catering is available for parties of 20 to 200.

Razzoo's expects to hire approximately 30 additional staff for its remodeled Mesquite location. Applicants are encouraged to apply on site prior to the re-opening.

About Razzoo's

Founded in 1991 by Mike Leatherwood, privately held Razzoo's LP (www.razzoos.com) owns and operates 12 Razzoo's Cajun Cafe restaurants in Dallas/Fort Worth, Austin, Houston and Charlotte, North Carolina. With more than 1,000 employees, Razzoo's expect to gross $32 million for this calendar year ending September 25, 2005. Razzoo's majority owner Mike Leatherwood also owns and operates the Skoot's hamburger restaurant in Dallas, and two Bone Daddy's House of Smoke barbeque restaurants in Dallas and Austin.

Contacts Karin Wacaser, 972 720 1038 kw@karinwacaser.com