Slater’s 50/50, a burger and beer sports bar concept, serves burgers made of 50% ground bacon and 50% ground beef. Owner Scott Slater opened the first location in Anaheim Hills in 2009 and two years later a second in Huntington Beach. “We wanted to grow the brand, but in a smart way, so selecting our locations carefully and thoughtfully is paramount,” he says. His team researches area demographics as well as doing a SWOT (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats) analysis, but followers on social media also have input. “Our fans are very vocal!” says Slater, “Regarding where they want to see the next location.”
Currently operating five SoCal locations, a sixth Slater’s is set to open in Rancho Cucamonga in June, 2013.
Slater makes certain that quality and guest service are never sacrificed for the sake of growth, that core executive leadership is in place, and refines the marketing strategy as they expand. “Customer feedback has always been a vital component of the success of the Slater’s brand,” Slater says, “We are very active on Yelp and respond to each and every comment good or bad and utilize the feedback we receive as a barometer of how well things are working operationally.” Every guest email also receives a reply.
The restaurant group finds existing spaces instead of building from scratch. “We enjoy the uniqueness that brings to each of our restaurants. The last thing we ever want to be is a typical chain’ that sets up the same box concept in every location.”
For Slater, taking risk is part of the reward in being an entrepreneur. “I felt in my core that we had a solid concept that I believed 110% in, so there was no risk I wasn’t willing to take.”
Slater’s 50/50 is part of our series highlighting restaurant groups and chains founded and flourishing in Orange County that were featured in the May|June 2013 print issue of Great Taste Magazine. Click here for the entire article.
