TheBuzz
TheBuzz
Wolfgang Puck is about to set a second foot in Hawaii -- this time in Honolulu -- and it will be the first-ever franchise operation for the internationally renowned restaurateur. Ward scores Wolfgang
Puck eateryA lease for the quick-service "Wolfgang Puck Express Cafe" was signed Nov. 1 with Victoria Ward Ltd.
"This (franchise operation) is a big move for them, they're set up to conquer the world," said Scott Rolles of MRTK Pacific LLC. "They probably want this thing to work just as much or more than we do." MRTK will be the exclusive Hawaii franchisee of Wolfgang Puck Worldwide, which is talking with other groups about franchises elsewhere.
Rolles' partners in the Hawaii venture are Roger Mercier, Jerry Thissen and Jim Konstantinides.
"This is casual quick service," said WPW Communications Director Jannis Swerman, which will include "some of the signature items already available at (the company's) other stores: his well-known pizzas, salads, sandwiches and rotisserie chicken."
The 1,450-square-foot space will be between Gaucho Grill and Starbucks by the Ward 16 theaters. Rolles hopes to begin the build-out in December with a yet-to-be-chosen local contractor. He expects dozens of employees will be hired to staff the eatery when it opens early next year.
The interior will feature "an open kitchen which is a signature at almost all of our restaurants," Swerman said, "and will create an atmosphere where customers can order directly from the cook."
"What's been incredible is the name recognition Wolfgang Puck has, and the hype that surrounds it. Landlords drool, lenders want to lend, and Realtors want to show you places for it. We feel lucky to be involved with it," Rolles said.
The franchisees are exploring the possibility of locating another Express Cafe in Waikiki next summer.
The Hawaiian island franchisees who've joined forces with WPW, Swerman said, have extensive experience in the restaurant business.
Rolles owns Chuck's Steakhouse and Chuck's Cellar as well as Pepper's Grill and Bar and the Chief's Hut in Waikiki.
Mercier, principal of TP Acquisitions Inc., did business as Pacific Restaurant Group when it bought 10 restaurants from the bankrupt Trans/Pacific Restaurants Inc. in March 1997. He has also had restaurant interests in other states.
Erika Engle is a reporter with the Star-Bulletin.
Call 529-4302, fax 529-4750 or write to Erika Engle,
Honolulu Star-Bulletin, 500 Ala Moana Blvd., No. 7-210,
Honolulu, HI 96813. She can also be reached
at: eengle@starbulletin.com