Dennis
Kipp
Who Loves Shakey's Pizza?
Join- Name:
- Who Loves Shakey's Pizza?
- Category:
- Common Interest - Food & Drink
- Description:
- Everyone loves Shakey's Pizza!
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- Open: All content is public.
- News:
- After 16 years of absence, Shakey’s® Pizza Parlor, the iconic 55-year old restaurant chain, returns to Spokane, WA. Spearheaded by Steve and Nick Hersey, a father and son franchise team with deep ties to Shakey’s, the new store is one of three restaurants the Herseys plan to open in the region.
“I have been a proud Shakey’s employee for 36 years,” says patriarch Steve Hersey.” Of all the family restaurants around, Shakey’s Pizza has a tremendous amount of brand recognition. It’s incredible. Everyone has a story, a memory or a special feeling about Shakey’s. In bringing the restaurant back to Spokane, we hope to preserve a bit of that heritage and introduce that same special feeling to new generations in this part of the country,”Hersey adds.
Originally conceived in 1954 as a social gathering place where friends and families would get together for hot pizza, cold beer, and sing-along ragtime music, the Spokane store will embrace the original Shakey’s Pizza concept with a modern spin – including arcade games, big screen TV’s, classic American music and familiar pop-culture memorabilia. The brand’s expansion into the Inland Northwest is indicative of Shakey’s newfound renaissance and successful reemergence from that of a nostalgic brand to a relevant and profitable restaurant chain experiencing exponential growth – even during the economic downturn.
The Herseys decided to open their own Shakey’s franchise despite the challenging economic climate because of their unshakeable confidence in the brand’s strength. “These economic times are definitely scary,” says Hersey senior. “That said, Shakey’s past success during recessionary times as well as the brand’s current sales and franchise growth, reassures us that Shakey’s winning ‘family values and entertainment model’ will attract the people of Spokane.”
Adds son Nick Hersey, “Smart risk taking can lead to great rewards. We are confident of our success because Shakey’s is a unique restaurant concept that promises its guests great food, in a relaxed, fun atmosphere that encourages great times – and all at great value. Add to that the nostalgia factor, and you’ve got a winning combination for everybody.”
Commenting on the father-son franchise team, Shakey’s Pizza CEO, Joe Remsa says, “A major reason why Shakey’s is successful is because we are a brand that is near and dear to people’s hearts. When Steve Hersey told us that he and his son Nick were going to open a Shakey’s franchise in the Northwest, we were beaming. Other brands may talk about how they embrace an inter-generational culture, but at Shakey’s we live it. And the Herseys are a stunning example of what it means to be part of the Shakey’s family.”
