RISE - Menu Monitor

Promotion Plans |
Maggiano’s Little Italy partnered with the Make-A-Wish Foundation to make dreams come true for terminally ill children. Chefs
at Maggiano’s have put together a special menu that features Goat Cheese and Olive Bruschetta, Shrimp and Scallops with
Orzo, Herb Crusted Rack of Lamb and fresh Berry Tiramisu. For each of these items ordered, Maggiano’s will donate $1 to the
foundation. Customers can also make a donation through the brand’s “Become a Star” program. For those who donate, the
restaurant displays star cut outs with customers’ names on them. Make-A-Wish Gift Cards are also on sale, with $1 of each
purchase going to the foundation. The programs are running from May 30 to June 27. (Company Release 5/30/07)
Menu Development |
Maggiano’s Little Italy introduced its new menu on February 12. The menu includes items with flavors inspired by Little Italy
neighborhoods across the country such as Chicago’s Taylor Street Baked Ziti and Sausage, Boston’s North End Lobster
Ravioli and New York’s Little Italy Braised Beef Cannelloni. (Company Release 2/12/07)
Maggiano’s Little Italy debuted Little Italy Favorites, a new menu featuring dishes from Italian neighborhoods of various U.S.
cities. Selections include Boston’s North End Lobster Ravioli, basil-and-saffron filled pasta topped with fresh lobster meat in a
light cream sauce; New York’s Little Italy Braised Beef Cannelloni, pasta filled with braised beef, Asiago and Parmesan
cheeses; Chicago’s Taylor Street Baked Ziti and Sausage, Italian sausage, pomodoro sauce and ziti finished with a layer of
melted provolone and Parmesan cheeses; and Philadelphia’s South Philly Chicken Cacciatore, slow-cooked chicken covered
with a red-wine tomato gravy with mushrooms, roasted peppers and onions, served over pappardelle pasta. (Nation’s
Restaurant News Online 2/01/07; Company Website)
Maggiano’s Little Italy created new fall menu items. Entrée selections include Butternut Squash Ravioli, Stuffed Pork Braciole,
Asiago Crusted Shrimp and Filet Pizzaiola. Spumoni Tartufo has also been added to the dessert menu. (Company Website)
International Activities |
Brinker International Inc. has entered into a joint venture with Mexico City-based franchisee CMR SAB de SV to open 50
restaurants in Mexico over the next four years. Under the agreement, Brinker and CMR will jointly contribute to a new
company, Las Nuevas Delicias Gastronómicas. The partners plan to open more Chili’s Bar and Grill units and introduce the
Maggiano’s Little Italy brand in Mexico. Brinker already has 49 Chili’s units in Mexico, 24 of which CMR operates. The new
company expects five stores to open in 2007, with another eight slated for 2008. (Restaurantnewsresource.com 11/12/07,
Dallasnews.com 11/13/07)
Personnel |
William B. Davenport, V.P. of Finance
Bob Fitzgerald, V.P. of Purchasing
Gene Monteagudo, COO
Wyman T. Roberts, President
Tomas Ennis, V.P. of Marketing
John J. Wyatt, V.P. of Development
News & Other |
Maggiano’s Little Italy reported October same-store sales were flat. (Company Release 11/8/06)
Maggiano’s Little Italy reported November same-store sales fell 4%. (NRN Daily NewsFax 12/8/06)
Maggiano’s Little Italy reported January same-store sales declined 2.2%. (NRN Daily NewsFax 2/8/07)
Brinker International Inc. reported February same-store sales declined 5.1% at Chili’s Grill & Bar, 4.1% at Romano’s Macaroni
Grill, 4.1% at Maggiano’s Little Italy and 5.5% at On The Border. (NRN Daily NewsFax 3/8/07)
Brinker International Inc. reported May same-store sales fell 3% at Chili’s, 4.2% at On The Border, 2.1% at Romano’s
Macaroni Grill and 1.5% at Maggiano’s. In addition, stock shares fell 70¢ to close at $32.34. (Associated Press 6/6/07)
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