Black Angus Steakhouse

Black Angus
Private
Industry Restaurants Steakhouses
Founded 1964
Headquarters Los Altos, California, United States
Number of locations
 44
Key people
 Stuart Anderson (Founder), Meredith Taylor (current CEO)
Revenue $413 million in 2007
Owner Versa Capital Management
Website Black Angus.com

Black Angus Steak and Seafood Restaurant is an American restaurant chain, specializing in steaks, that is based in Los Altos, California.[1][2][3] The chain was founded April 1, 1964, by Stuart Anderson[4][5] of Seattle, Washington.

History

Stuart Anderson founded the Black Angus Steakhouse chain in 1964.[4]

Saga acquired Black Angus in 1972.[6] Marriott acquired Saga in 1987, and sold several of the Saga restaurants to American Restaurant Group.[7]

In 1995, the chain had 101 restaurants and reported revenue of $244 million.[8] In 1999, the overall parent company's profits were steady at $104.7 million, but higher for the Black Angus chain.[9]

By 2001, there were 103 Black Angus restaurants in 13 states, and each restaurant had approximately 75 employees and served an average of 3,000 customers weekly.[4] By 2004, the number had fallen to 93 Black Angus and Cattle Company restaurants in 10 states, with 57 units in California.[3]

In September 2004, American Restaurant Group filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection for Black Angus Steakhouse. Black Angus was indebted approximately $202 million and had in 2003 reported revenue of $276.6 million resulting in a net loss of $32.5 million. The bankruptcy protection was done concurrently with an effort to rebrand and remodel the chain.[2]

On January 15, 2009, American Restaurant Group itself filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection.[10] Black Angus Steakhouse was purchased by Versa Capital Management Inc. in March 2009.[5]

By June 2013, Black Angus was down to 44 locations in six states.[11]

Cultural references

In the late 1990s and early 2000s, Black Angus had a television ad campaign featuring "Travis", a grizzled cowboy urging various urbanites to dine at the restaurant. Comedian Patton Oswalt poked fun at the ads' apparent aggressiveness in a well-known humorous riff included on his 2003 album Feelin' Kinda Patton.

References

  1. ↑ American Restaurant Group, Inc. | Company profile from Hoover's
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 Andrew F. Hamm (April 1, 2005). "Black Angus beefs up image as it readies bankruptcy exit". San Jose Business Journal. Retrieved 2010-05-05.
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 Julie Tamaki (September 29, 2004). "Steakhouse Owner to Reorganize". LA Times. Retrieved 2010-05-05.
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 Renee Canada (November 1, 2000). "Black Angus founder will discuss hiring". Archived San Jose Mercury News. The Campbell Recorder. Retrieved 2010-05-05.
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 Mai Hoang (April 18, 2010). "Steakhouse celebrates four decades (Section header)". Yakima Herald-Republic. Retrieved 2010-05-06.
  6. ↑ He's out to pasture but not happy about it
  7. ↑ Newport Beach Firm Acquires Restaurant Chains from Marriott
  8. ↑ "Offers for Black Angus". LA Times. December 24, 1996. Retrieved 2010-05-05.
  9. ↑ "Profits Steady at Restaurant Group". LA Times. August 5, 1999. Retrieved 2010-05-05.
  10. ↑ Owner of Black Angus Steakhouse files for bankruptcy
  11. ↑ http://www.blackangus.com/location/

External links