RISE - Menu Monitor

Furr's Family Dining
Headquarters
2701 East Plano Parkway Suite 200, Plano, Texas 75074 USA
Tel: (214)291-2900 Fax: (214)291-2467
www.furrs.net
Ownership: Private
Segment: Limited Service Cafeteria/Buffet
System Characteristics 2006 2005 2004
U.S. Systemwide Sales ($000) 115,000 114,000 118,000
Company-owned ($000) 115,000 114,000 118,000
Franchised ($000) - - -
U.S. Number of Units 55 54 57
Company-owned 55 54 57
Franchised - - -
International Sales ($000) - - -
International Units - - -
Average Sales/Unit ($000) 2,075 2,050 2,070
Concept Positioning |
Furr’s Family Dining, formerly known as Furr's/Bishop’s Cafeterias, is a major operator of limited service cafeterias in the U.S.
Furr’s Family Dining offers casual and affordable buffet-style dining, with a concept and price point that appeals to budgetconscious
diners and families seeking traditional American comfort food. All of its locations are open seven days a week for
lunch and dinner, and a few also serve breakfast. Food is prepared for serving by each individual cafeteria. Although patrons
serve themselves at the buffet, a dining room attendant is also available to help with a tray and to offer complimentary refills of
coffee and tea. Buffet Partners LP is the parent company of Furr’s Family Dining, which are 100% company owned. There are
over 55 units located in seven U.S. states: Arizona, Colorado, Florida, Kansas, New Mexico and Oklahoma.
Units are either freestanding or located in endcaps adjacent to shopping malls. In 2000, the company unveiled a revamped
prototype under the name Furr’s Family Buffet—now known as Furr’s Fresh Buffet. The 11,000-sq.-ft. unit features an updated
exterior design and seats 420 customers. However, most units average 10,000 sq. ft. and have the seating capacity to
accommodate 200–300 customers. Interiors of Furr's units feature carpeting and a center hearth. Most units differ in design,
but all share a homey atmosphere which is created by earth-tone colors, beamed ceilings, patterned wall coverings, carpeting,
chandeliers, and shirred curtains and side-drapes at the windows. Over the past several years, the company has spent over
$30 million on capital expenses to maintain and remodel existing units.
Furr's Cafeterias was first established in 1946 by brothers Roy and Key Furr with the first location in Hobbs, NM. Bishop
Buffets was founded in 1920. Acquired together in 1986, Furr’s/Bishop’s Cafeterias operated 50-plus locations throughout the
South. Slumping sales forced Furr's to file for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in late-2003, resulting in a sale of its Bishop’s units.
Backed by Cardinal Investment, Buffet Partners LP acquired Furr's for $30 million in 2003. Dynamic Foods, based in Lubbock,
TX, is also operated by the company and provides about 85% of the food and supplies required in its units. Dynamic also sells
pre-cut produce, bakery items, meats and seafood and various prepared foods to outside customers. Immediate and long-term
expansion goals call for continued growth in the South as well as states in the western U.S.
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