TheBuzz Erika Engle

Hawaii fast feeder scores tops sales awards

He could not divulge sales volume and declined to identify the locations for competitive reasons, but is proud to have "won the top three stores."

Awards were presented to Jack in the Box Inc. franchisees in four areas: sales volume, which Scanlan won; percentage sales increase; food-safety performance and Voice of the Customer performance.

"We're very fortunate to have franchise operators like Chris who are enthusiastic about the company's future and understand the important role they play in the brand's success," said Mike Bamrick, division vice president of franchise operations for Jack in the Box, in a statement.

"With 26 stores, Chris Scanlan ranks as one of our larger franchise operators," said Kathleen Anthony, manager of external communications for Jack in the Box, though she did not provide a specific rank.

Highest sales volume is determined solely by sales for a particular restaurant with no special formulas or accounting adjustments, she said.

All Hawaii quick-service restaurants, such as McDonald's, Burger King and Taco Bell, typically generate the "highest volumes in their respective chains and Jack in the Box is no exception," Scanlan said. Hawaii store sales run about 20 to 30 percent higher than mainland stores.

Given those facts, one has to wonder if Hawaii's higher costs are the main reason.

"It is primarily due to the Hawaii consumer," Scanlan said. People are "very, very busy and typically Mom and Dad are working."

Local quick-service restaurants "do have higher food costs because of freight ... yet all Hawaii QSRs are very sensitive to pricing and Jack is extremely competitive," he said.

Scanlan is familiar with other fast-feeders as the former chief executive of Kazi Management LLC, owner of KFC and Burger King restaurants in Hawaii and elsewhere.

Scanlan served up a bit of a scoop for you, oh reader of TheBuzz. Your columnist asked how much innovating he can do as a franchisee.

"We will be releasing shortly, some local, Hawaii-oriented products created by Jack in the Box and myself," he said. The localized menu items will be available for different meals, though he could not yet release details.

The company has "created a lot of new categories and products," that will be introduced in the first quarter, as will Chris' and Jack's snacks.

"Hawaii consumers deserve that, so we're happy to be able to offer it," Scanlan said.