The “quick-casual” food segment is typically a difficult market to crack when it comes to a new food concept. The concept needs to employ a tasty product and a solid customer base. In today’s hamburger and burrito age, these two requirements are sometimes difficult to fill. But if a committed demographic can be found, a chain of outlets and possibly a franchise can’t be far behind. Fully cooked smoked foods may be one product with precisely that demographic.
Smokey Market Foods Inc., a development stage smoked foods company, offers a complete line of fully cooked foods through a proprietary wood burning oven technology. The company has spent the last 12 years developing its technology and is now ready to commence the rollout. Initial response to the concept has been very positive, and further rollout programs are proceeding through the purchase of a Northern California restaurant, which will serve as the company’s flagship operation for further refinement of its foods, operations and staff.
The “fast-casual” portion of the restaurant industry is always looking for new and innovative ways to entice customers. The fact that Smokey Market Foods has developed a way to offer a quality product that requires no preparation of raw food on site is attractive to many within the market. They see this new process as a way to reduce costs through the need of skilled food preparation handlers and cooks. The concept’s 150 sq. ft. layout is also a fairly attractive option, as it lets the concept be introduced into less costly venues such as airports, hotels and office buildings.
A March 2008 investor conference presentation was well received by equity finance concerns, leading the company to indicate a positive outlook for a summer program of expansion. Initial plans call for the rollout of 150 kiosks across the country and the targeting of recreational vehicle users through Internet channels. Depending upon aggressive financing targets, the company should have its initial rollout plans well underway by the end of the third quarter, providing economic conditions continue in a positive fashion.
The pre-cooked foods market is an interesting market to enter, but the smoked foods market is perhaps one capable of supporting a new brand where very few currently exist. Smoked food devotees are a committed and hearty demographic loyal to a good product.
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