Keep Them Coming Back

Smart Solutions
Shamrock Foods Publication
July/August 2004
By Marcela Jacober

The Spicy Pickle has become a well recognized success story from Denver to Fort Collins. They’ve come a long way in the short five years from when they opened their first restaurant in 1999. Co-founders Kevin T. Morrison and Tony Walker, Chefs by trade, decided Denver was missing a restaurant that made good sandwiches. With a passion for good food and a vision to provide just that, they planned their first Spicy Pickle opening. Their first establishment lacked air conditioning and heat yet provided the quality sandwich they promised: creating a buzz quickly.

Today, their success has expanded to seven locations and comes from not only providing quality good sandwiches but also a true commitment to service and hiring the right staff to provide that great service. Managers are provided a five-to six-week training program. Kevin and Tony believe passing along the company’s philosophy and core values is crucial to the success of their operation. Hourly staff is also met with on a regular basis to communicate the company vision and insure the right atmosphere is represented during a diner’s experience. They believe in basic skills such as greeting th customer on the way in and thanking them on the way out. Sounds elementary but the little aspects such as these add up to great dining experience when visiting a Spicy Pickle.

With the exciting “buzz” they managed to create in such a short period of time, a franchise expansion strategy was also set in motion. Whether it’s their own restaurant or a franchise opportunity, however, let’s not forget the importance of location. They scout their locations carefully looking for an end cap in a three-to-four-tenant strip. They look for an area that combines residential with business customers. And, they like to take advantage of the great weather CO has to offer, so they look for locations that can accommodate a small patio.

It all starts with the food, serving a variety of paninis, salads and sub sandwiches with premium ingredients and flavorful toppings and spreads. But it’s the service that keeps customers coming back. Visit them at the following locations to create your own unique sandwich delight. Go to where it all began in Denver at 988 Lincoln Street or at 745 Colorado Boulevard. They can also be found in Boulder at 2660 Pearl Street, in Englewood at 3315 South Broadway, in Fort Collins at 123 North College Avenue, in Lakewood at 150 South Union Boulevard and in Lone Tree at 10047 Park Meadows Drive.

This month, join Shamrock Foods as we salute the Spicy Pickle and celebrate its continued success.