RISE - Menu Monitor

Old Country Buffet/HomeTown Buffet
Headquarters
1460 Buffet Way, Eagan, Minnesota 55121 USA
Tel: (651)994-8608 Fax: (651)365-2356
www.buffet.com
Ownership: Private
Segment: Limited Service Cafeteria/Buffet
System Characteristics 2006 2005 2004
U.S. Systemwide Sales ($000) 1,000,680 966,515 986,563
Company-owned ($000) 963,162 926,781 942,831
Franchised ($000) 37,518 39,734 43,732
U.S. Number of Units 356 372 380
Company-owned 338 354 360
Franchised 18 18 20
International Sales ($000) - - -
International Units - - -
Average Sales/Unit ($000) 2,811 2,598 2,596
Concept Positioning |
Old Country Buffet/HomeTown Buffet is a limited-service buffet concept owned by Buffets Holdings Inc. The restaurants
operate 356 units across the U.S., 18 of which are franchised.
Old Country Buffet units are 8,000–13,850 sq. ft. Décor is contemporary with “country” design elements. Areas can be
partitioned off for group meetings and special events. HomeTown Buffet units are approximately 10,000 sq. ft. In both
concepts, seating capacity ranges from 225–600 guests. Most units of the two brands are freestanding structures located in
strip shopping centers. In both concepts, customers pay upon entering and are seated by restaurant personnel. All the
restaurants incorporate a scatter bar service system in which the traditional buffet line is replaced by eight separate buffet
islands; this format allows for shorter lines and easier patron access.
Buffets Holdings, Inc. was founded by Roe H. Hatlen and C. Dennis Scott in 1983. The first Old Country Buffet opened in
Richfield, MN, in 1984, and the first franchised unit began operations in 1985. In 1989, Scott left the company and founded
HomeTown Buffet. In 1996, Buffets and HomeTown merged, forming the nation's 13th largest restaurant chain. In 2006,
Buffets merged with Ryan's Restaurant Group. The $876 million cash transaction included the acquisition of Ryan's Grill,
Buffet & Bakery and Fire Mountain concepts. Currently, the company is seeking franchisees for its buffets. In addition to over
634 buffet restaurants, Buffets, Inc. and its subsidiaries operate nine Tahoe Joe’s Famous Steakhouses in California.
©Technomic Information Services 2007, CIS profiles may not be copied or distributed in any print or electronic format without a license or written consent.
Technomic believes that its sources of information are reliable, but does not assume any responsibility or liability for the accuracy of the information
published.
454