Bodean’s, the barbecue smokehouse concept, is to put its expansion plans on hold indefinitely, to concentrate on increasing its brand awareness nationwide after signing deals with Sainsbury’s and the NFL, M&C Report has learnt.
Bodean’s has recently signed a deal with Sainsbury’s to stock its BBQ sauces across 150 of the supermarket chain’s sites in London.
The group, which currently operates four Bodean’s sites in London, is also on the verge of signing a deal with the NFL to become the Official BBQ restaurant for the NFL in London.
The agreement will see Bodean’s cater the annual NFL game at Wembley Stadium; the tailgate parties, which take place outside; the Trafalgar Square launch party; and the yearly Superbowl event at the O2.
Blais said the newly formed relationship was “a great opportunity to associate ourselves with a truly American brand”
He said: “Bodean’s presence at NFL events in London is a combination set to please ex-pats and UK football lovers a like. The move further cements our promise to provide the best American BBQ and sporting experience in London.”
Blais put the decision to hold plans of expansion down to “focusing our efforts on building up a national presence for the brand so that when we do decide to expand the new business is given every success possible”.
The group has closed its Westbourne Grove after the unit failed to build on the initial momentum it experienced in the first six months after opening but the remaining four sites continue to trade well after a challenging couple of years.
Blais said: “The group is producing like-for-like sales up by 25% on the previous year and showed a seven-figure profit on last year.”
Blais, who opened the first Bodean’s in 2002, said the company continued to get good traction from its takeaway barbecue offer and from its outside catering business.
The founder of the Bodean’s concept is also considering lobbying other restaurateurs to add a 3% plus surcharge on all bills for use of all credit cards and a lower percentage for debit cards.
He said: “Times are evolving together with rising costs we need to consider other options to keep our family run group of restaurant in business. This move would place the UK market in line with our friends in Europe and America.”
