Buffets, Inc.
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| Buffets Holdings, Incorporated | |
|---|---|
| Type | Private |
| Founded | 1983 |
| Headquarters | 1460 Buffet Way Eagan, MN 55121 |
| Key people | Frederick J. (Fred) Iseman, Chairman, R. Michael Andrews Jr., CEO and Director |
| Industry | Restaurant |
| Employees | 38,000 (2006)[1] |
| Website | Oldcountrybuffet.com |
Buffets, Inc., with corporate offices in Eagan, Minnesota, is a company that owns American national chains of buffets.
As of January, 2008, Buffets, Inc. and its affiliated companies operated at least 626 restaurants in 39 states.
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[edit] History
The company was founded by Roe Hatlen and C. Dennis Scott in 1983. Scott left in 1989 to start HomeTown, but the two chains merged back together in September 1996. The current Chief Executive Officer is R. Michael Andrews.
On November 1, 2006, Buffets Inc. acquired Ryan's Restaurant Group adding 340 Ryan's Grill Buffet and Bakery and Fire Mountain Grills locations.[1]
On January 22, 2008, Buffets Inc. filed for bankruptcy under chapter 11. Although all restaurants were said to be staying open and continuing to operate normally under the then-current reorganization plan, [2] the company called for the immediate closing of 52 stores nationwide effective February 12th, 2008. The final day of normal business operations in these stores, as well as the announcement of closing to all team members in said stores, took place the previous day.
[edit] Chains
[edit] Ryan's Restaurant Group
Ryan's is based primarily in the Southern and Midwestern United States. It was acquired by Buffets, Inc. on November 1, 2006 and operates restaurants under the names Ryan's Grill Buffet and Bakery and Fire Mountain Grill.
[edit] HomeTown Buffet
HomeTown operates 168 locations throughout the United States, variably known as "Old Country Buffet" or "Country Buffet" in addition to the flagship name. HomeTown Buffet locations have a mascot named "H.T. Bee" (or "O.C. Bee" at Old Country Buffet). Usually, for in-restaurant appearances, the location manager or another employee wears the costume and greets guests and children.
[edit] Other Restaurants
- Granny's Buffet, Kennewick, Washington
- Tahoe Joe's Famous Steakhouse, which has nine locations in California.[3]
