Source: The Business Journal
Written by: Chuck Harvey
Fresno’s Deli Delicious sandwich shop has come a long way since opening its first shop at Bullard and Blackstone avenues in 1996.
The franchise now has 20 stores, including its latest location in Citrus Heights near Sacramento, which has nothing, but rave reviews on Yelp. Great customer service and fresh ingredients are the most common reviews.
And, it’s not stopping there. The maker of hot, cold and specialty subs is continuing its Sacramento area expansion with a planned Roseville location.
Locally, the restaurants can be found in Fresno, Visalia and Madera. One of the newest locations is at 2380 W. Cleveland Ave. in Madera.
About 60 percent of the franchisees are owner-operators. And about 40 percent are investors.
As Deli Delicious grew, so did its lineup of submarine sandwiches. It now has 47 subs on its menu from ham and salami to blue buffalo chicken. It also makes hamburgers, fries, salads and soups.
Along with a big selection of subs, Deli Delicious president Mohammad Hobab wanted to offer an upscale, but relaxed deli experience. And he insisted on using the best possible ingredients in his subs.
Deli Delicious continues to make improvements to its menu presentation and offerings, store design and the level of service it provides to its customers.
“Our products are the highest quality meats and cheeses, sliced in our restaurants,” said Ali Nekumanesh, advisor for Deli Delicious.
Hobab came to the U.S. from Iran where he worked as a banker. He was initially educated as an engineer. But after arriving in America, Hobab saw opportunity in offering quality subs to sandwich lovers. Although Deli Delicious was not an overnight success, Hobab and his team remained committed and succeeded as a popular local restaurant.
It has also been a family affair from the start. Starting out making sandwiches and sweeping the floor, son Hadi is now chief operating officer and son Hesam is chief financial officer.
Deli Delicious is also in a crowded space, having to compete against Subway and Quiznos, the giants of the submarine sandwich industry. Hobab was determined to keep his business growing through superior service and attention to detail.
“It took years and many struggles to get it going,” Nekumanesh said.
Once Hobab’s restaurant became popular, he began plans to offer franchises to entrepreneurs in the greater Fresno area and around Sacramento.
The company plans to move its franchises into nearby states following its effort to penetrate the greater Sacramento area. “In fact, our general plan calls for us to be the largest regional premium deli restaurant by the year 2019,” Nekumanesh said.
He said one Sacramento franchise has opened and another that will feature Deli Delicious and a Colorado Grill restaurant in the same location will open in late April or early May.
Jasdeep Rhawanda and Arvin Tanu, both of Fresno, are partners in the first Sacramento Deli Delicious restaurant. It has been open for nearly three months.
“We’ve had good response,” Rhawanda said, adding that he will be relocating to Sacramento.
He is a business major at Fresno State and will graduate this summer.
Bill Schwartz, owner of Geno’s Sandwiches & Salads in Fresno, said that it helps franchisees when a company like Deli Delicious provides direction and equipment.
“They’ve got the hang of it with a program that can be carried out,” Schwartz said.
Schwartz said he received help when he started Geno’s Sandwiches & Salads 34 years ago. He took over an existing business at 1615 E. Ashlan Ave. that already had a following.
“It makes it a lot easier,” Schwartz said.
In developing plans for franchises, Deli Delicious decided on two restaurant models. One is the express model and the other, the standard model.
The express model is designed for serving food in smaller or non-traditional locations like hotels and airports. It can be as small as 450 square feet depending on location.
The standard model is a larger shop spanning about 1,300 square feet and ideally suited for malls other popular retail locations.
Deli Delicious offers help with site selection.
Training is provided to bring the new franchise owner up to speed on how to run a Deli Delicious restaurant. It includes 14 days of classroom and hands-on training.
“We strive to ensure our franchisees are good operators and become better and more informed business people through the ongoing training and development seminars offered to our franchisees and their staff,” Nekumanesh said.
He added that Deli Delicious is supported by a group of restaurant professionals, including sales, operations and training teams.
“The cost of entry is affordable and the return on investment has thus far been generally quite favorable,” Nekumanesh said.
To be a franchise owner, an investment of $100,600 to $187,800 is necessary for the express model and $190,350 to $359,150. The estimated investment includes three months of working capital.
Franchise owners pay a franchise fee of $15,000 for the express model and $20,000 for the standard model.
Besides providing tasty sandwiches, Deli Delicious places importance on providing healthy ingredients. “Our research and development team is consistently working to stay on top of the healthy foods trend and adjusting the menu as is necessary,” Nekumanesh said.
URL to original article: http://www.thebusinessjournal.com/news/retail/11652-deli-delicious-franchise-expands-to-sacramento-area
For further information on Fresno Real Estate check: http://www.londonproperties.com
Tuesday, April 22, 2014
Friday, April 18, 2014
Plays of the Week
1. There are numerous benefits for your seller to negotiate an in-house sale on their peorpty that we need to slow down and get it right.
• First, you’ll want to do a delayed MLS listing (15 days) and strongly promote the property to your London Peers.
• Next, get your peers’ opinion on the initial list price and make any necessary adjustments before the property hits the MLS.
• Afford your sellers the first 15 days to make appropriate repairs, de-clutter and clean.
• Here’s the Biggie – An in-house deal can assure your seller that they get a fully executed General Contract Addendum (GCA) by the buyer. A buyer signed GCA significantly reduces any chance of a meritless claim or legal action against your seller after the closing. This is specifically what our sellers are hiring us to do. Protect their best interest and keep them from harm’s way.
• An added bonus is that you get to work with one of your Professional peers, the deal will likely have a higher chance of closing and you may get paid a higher in-house commission split.
• Take care of your sellers!
2. On Tuesday, Lynette Baker took her sweet little Mikayla to the doctor to get her broken arm set and a cast put on (Mikayla chose hot-pink for her cast color). Lynette struck up a conversation with the Doctor and worked in the fact she helps people buy and sell homes for her profession and wouldn’t you know it, the Doctor is thinking of selling their large home and scaling down. One great lead down for the day, Lynette later calls a past client (a Financial Planner) who has sent her referrals in the past. This person tells Lynette how great it is to hear from her and that her secretary is moving out of the area and needs to sell her house! It pays to make conversation and to call on your database. Great Job Lynette!
3. Anytime you’re at an event or in public, there is business all around you, you just have to look and listen for it. Gracelyn Martinez was somewhere with one of her kids this week and saw a buyer prospect that she hadn’t talked to in months (they were particular and had stopped house hunting). While talking, Gracelyn thought of the perfect property for her (a formerly unrealistic seller whose property has now appreciated). The next day she called that to-be seller who had just decided to re-enter the market. Gracelyn showed the buyer the property and has now negotiated an accepted deal. Awesome!
Take these plays with you and good luck this weekend!
2. On Tuesday, Lynette Baker took her sweet little Mikayla to the doctor to get her broken arm set and a cast put on (Mikayla chose hot-pink for her cast color). Lynette struck up a conversation with the Doctor and worked in the fact she helps people buy and sell homes for her profession and wouldn’t you know it, the Doctor is thinking of selling their large home and scaling down. One great lead down for the day, Lynette later calls a past client (a Financial Planner) who has sent her referrals in the past. This person tells Lynette how great it is to hear from her and that her secretary is moving out of the area and needs to sell her house! It pays to make conversation and to call on your database. Great Job Lynette!
3. Anytime you’re at an event or in public, there is business all around you, you just have to look and listen for it. Gracelyn Martinez was somewhere with one of her kids this week and saw a buyer prospect that she hadn’t talked to in months (they were particular and had stopped house hunting). While talking, Gracelyn thought of the perfect property for her (a formerly unrealistic seller whose property has now appreciated). The next day she called that to-be seller who had just decided to re-enter the market. Gracelyn showed the buyer the property and has now negotiated an accepted deal. Awesome!
Take these plays with you and good luck this weekend!
Thursday, April 17, 2014
Report: Fresno in top 10 for home price jump
Source: The Business Journal
The Fresno metropolitan area had some of the highest home price and inventory increases in the country, according to a report by Realtor.com. The National Housing Trend Report for March 2014 showed the median list price of a home increased 5.3 percent in March over the year before, going from $189,800 to $199,000. Out of 146 metros evaluated in the report, the Fresno metro had the eighth highest increase in the country. Prices increased 17.4 percent in the area over the last year from a median price of $195,800 to $229,900. That's behind metros like Houston growing 18.5 percent, Denver at 20.1 percent and No. 1 Stockton-Lodi at 38.9 percent. Housing inventory also grew over the year before, rising 9.5 percent nationwide to 1,841,844 homes listed on Realtor.com. Going from 1,946 homes listed on the website in March 2013, the Fresno area has since climbed to 3,049 listings in the latest month. That's an increase of 56.7 percent, just sixth behind Nashville, Tenn. (56.8 percent), Orlando, Fla. (56.8 percent), Bakersfield (57.3 percent), Orange County (63.5 percent) and Stockton-Lodi (68.6 percent). The median age of inventory increased 22.9 percent across the country over the last year with homes now 102 days on the market on average. In the Fresno metro, the increase in inventory meant homes spent an average of 61 days on the market in March. That's up 45.2 percent from a year ago, 12th behind areas like Springfield, Ill. increasing by 57.3 percent, Stockton-Lodi by 60 percent, Oakland, Calif. by 80 percent and Rochester, N.Y. growing the most by 98.4 percent. According to Realtor.com, a real estate listing service offered by Move, Inc., home sales activity remains sluggish but added inventory may mean more affordable prices in many markets for the first-time and move-up homebuyers alike. "Bidding wars in many markets last year frequently elevated offer prices beyond the reach of first-time buyers who could scarcely save for the down payment," said Steve Berkowitz, CEO of Move, in a release. "While inventory is still low, the continuing annual lift in the number of homes on the market that we've seen over the first months of 2014 is an indicator that buying conditions this year may be notable improved from the frenzied pace of last spring."
URL to original article: http://www.thebusinessjournal.com/news/real-estate/11623-report-in-top-10-for-home-price-jump
For further information on Fresno Real Estate check: http://www.londonproperties.com
The Fresno metropolitan area had some of the highest home price and inventory increases in the country, according to a report by Realtor.com. The National Housing Trend Report for March 2014 showed the median list price of a home increased 5.3 percent in March over the year before, going from $189,800 to $199,000. Out of 146 metros evaluated in the report, the Fresno metro had the eighth highest increase in the country. Prices increased 17.4 percent in the area over the last year from a median price of $195,800 to $229,900. That's behind metros like Houston growing 18.5 percent, Denver at 20.1 percent and No. 1 Stockton-Lodi at 38.9 percent. Housing inventory also grew over the year before, rising 9.5 percent nationwide to 1,841,844 homes listed on Realtor.com. Going from 1,946 homes listed on the website in March 2013, the Fresno area has since climbed to 3,049 listings in the latest month. That's an increase of 56.7 percent, just sixth behind Nashville, Tenn. (56.8 percent), Orlando, Fla. (56.8 percent), Bakersfield (57.3 percent), Orange County (63.5 percent) and Stockton-Lodi (68.6 percent). The median age of inventory increased 22.9 percent across the country over the last year with homes now 102 days on the market on average. In the Fresno metro, the increase in inventory meant homes spent an average of 61 days on the market in March. That's up 45.2 percent from a year ago, 12th behind areas like Springfield, Ill. increasing by 57.3 percent, Stockton-Lodi by 60 percent, Oakland, Calif. by 80 percent and Rochester, N.Y. growing the most by 98.4 percent. According to Realtor.com, a real estate listing service offered by Move, Inc., home sales activity remains sluggish but added inventory may mean more affordable prices in many markets for the first-time and move-up homebuyers alike. "Bidding wars in many markets last year frequently elevated offer prices beyond the reach of first-time buyers who could scarcely save for the down payment," said Steve Berkowitz, CEO of Move, in a release. "While inventory is still low, the continuing annual lift in the number of homes on the market that we've seen over the first months of 2014 is an indicator that buying conditions this year may be notable improved from the frenzied pace of last spring."
URL to original article: http://www.thebusinessjournal.com/news/real-estate/11623-report-in-top-10-for-home-price-jump
For further information on Fresno Real Estate check: http://www.londonproperties.com
Walmart growing big, growing small in Fresno
Source: The Business Journal
Written by Chuck Harvey
Walmart believes a 107,000 square-foot former Mervyn’s location is a good fit for a Fresno supercenter as it kicks off a multimillion-dollar project to refurbish the interior of the store located at Ashlan and Blackstone avenues for a summer opening. The retail giant, now building smaller neighborhood stores as well, also likes the 41,000 square-foot size of the former Cedar Lanes bowling alley that it is refurbishing at the intersection of Shields and Cedar avenues in Fresno. Walmart expects good support for a supercenter and the smaller neighborhood Walmart market scheduled to open in 2015. One of the reasons it is downsizing some stores is the growth in e-commerce sales. Shoppers can order items online and pick them up at their nearest Walmart store. Still, Walmart plans to continue building supercenters that range from 100,000 square feet to 180,000 square feet. The bigger stores will be built in locations where vehicle and shopper numbers are high. One concern with the Ashlan and Blackstone location is an adequate number of parking spaces. Walmart shares the parking lot with other tenants in the shopping center. However, Steve Rontell, broker with Colliers International in Fresno, said the other tenants, including a furniture store and Petco store, are not heavy users of the lot. Also, an El Pollo Loco restaurant at Ashlan and Blackstone avenues has its own parking area, Rontell said. In addition, the new Walmart will have parking in the rear of the store for employees, said Rontell, who represented the landlord in the lease transaction. “We believe there is sufficient parking to serve our customers,” said Delia Garcia, director of communications for Walmart. The supercenter will employ approximately 250 workers on a full and part time basis. Average hourly pay is $13.08. Garcia said hourly employees would have the opportunity to work toward higher-paying management positions. A hiring center will open near the Ashlan and Blackstone avenues location in early summer, Walmart reported. Rontell said the deal with Walmart has been in the works for years. He said Walmart officials wanted to make sure the new store was not too close to other Walmart stores. Also, it had to pencil out in terms of attracting shoppers and potential sales. Smaller stores inquired about the space, but it was hoped the store would not have to be split up. “So Walmart was a good fit,” Rontell said. The Ochinero family of Fresno leased the Ashlan and Blackstone avenues property to Walmart. City officials were also pleased that Walmart decided to lease the space. “I’m so happy that Walmart picked Central Fresno,” said Clinton Olivier, city councilman for the 7th district. “I only see benefits.” Olivier said he is also glad Walmart is building a neighborhood store at Shields and Cedar avenues. Olivier added that in campaigning for reelection, he has not found any opposition to the stores. “I knock on doors and not one person has told me I am disappointed that Walmart is coming.” However, he pointed out that Walmart did not face public comment at a public hearing. Because Walmart is moving into an existing retail building, neither a hearing nor a permit from the city council or planning commission is required for the refurbishing projects. Still, the work is seen as a big improvement, considering the Mervyn’s store has been vacant for more than five years. “We welcome this private investment along the city’s major north-south commercial corridor,” said Ashley Swearengin, mayor of Fresno, in a release. “Projects like these, coupled with the city’s vision for improving Blackstone Avenue with public infrastructure will help give new life to this critical commercial corridor.” Some sprucing up at the location is also expected to discourage prostitution, gangs, crime and graffiti — all cited as problems in the area. Most of the work and expense in upgrading the Mervyn’s building has been in installing cold cases for perishable groceries, Garcia said. She said the exterior of the building would remain mostly the same, but would include new signage and decoration. Reeve-Knight Construction of Roseville is doing the refurbishing work. Along with food, the supercenter will carry value-priced general merchandise including apparel, electronics, toys and sporting goods. Food offerings include organic selections, fresh dairy and meat departments and fruits and vegetables. The store also features a pharmacy. “It will be one-stop shopping,” Garcia said. The Walmart Neighborhood Market at Shields and Cedar avenues will offer a full supermarket line of groceries along with some household products, pet supplies and pharmacy services. Fresno’s first neighborhood market opened near Herndon and Willow avenues in May 2013, followed by a Clovis location near Clovis and Shaw avenues in September 2013. Visalia received the Valley’s first neighborhood market in March 2013. Each store typically employs about 65 people. Garcia added that supercenters also have a positive impact on the community. They help to revitalize the area and bring back local shoppers, Garcia said. Also, businesses tend to invest in new stores once a strong anchor store is in place, she said. --- Walmart expansion in the Central Valley From large to small-format stores, Walmart has been on an aggressive growth path in the last year. 2015 Projected opening, new Fresno neighborhood market (3131 N. Cedar Ave.) Summer 2014 Projected opening, Fresno supercenter (4150 N. Blackstone Ave.) September 2013 Clovis neighborhood market opens. (1830 Shaw Ave.) August 2013 Kerman supercenter opens (4061 W. Whitesbridge Ave.) May 2013 Fresno’s first neighborhood market opens March 2013 Clovis supercenter opens (323 W. Shaw Ave.) March 2013 Visalia neighborhood market opens (1320 N Demaree St.)
URL to original article: http://www.thebusinessjournal.com/news/retail/11597-walmart-growing-big-growing-small-in-fresno
For further information on Fresno Real Estate check: http://www.londonproperties.com
Written by Chuck Harvey
Walmart believes a 107,000 square-foot former Mervyn’s location is a good fit for a Fresno supercenter as it kicks off a multimillion-dollar project to refurbish the interior of the store located at Ashlan and Blackstone avenues for a summer opening. The retail giant, now building smaller neighborhood stores as well, also likes the 41,000 square-foot size of the former Cedar Lanes bowling alley that it is refurbishing at the intersection of Shields and Cedar avenues in Fresno. Walmart expects good support for a supercenter and the smaller neighborhood Walmart market scheduled to open in 2015. One of the reasons it is downsizing some stores is the growth in e-commerce sales. Shoppers can order items online and pick them up at their nearest Walmart store. Still, Walmart plans to continue building supercenters that range from 100,000 square feet to 180,000 square feet. The bigger stores will be built in locations where vehicle and shopper numbers are high. One concern with the Ashlan and Blackstone location is an adequate number of parking spaces. Walmart shares the parking lot with other tenants in the shopping center. However, Steve Rontell, broker with Colliers International in Fresno, said the other tenants, including a furniture store and Petco store, are not heavy users of the lot. Also, an El Pollo Loco restaurant at Ashlan and Blackstone avenues has its own parking area, Rontell said. In addition, the new Walmart will have parking in the rear of the store for employees, said Rontell, who represented the landlord in the lease transaction. “We believe there is sufficient parking to serve our customers,” said Delia Garcia, director of communications for Walmart. The supercenter will employ approximately 250 workers on a full and part time basis. Average hourly pay is $13.08. Garcia said hourly employees would have the opportunity to work toward higher-paying management positions. A hiring center will open near the Ashlan and Blackstone avenues location in early summer, Walmart reported. Rontell said the deal with Walmart has been in the works for years. He said Walmart officials wanted to make sure the new store was not too close to other Walmart stores. Also, it had to pencil out in terms of attracting shoppers and potential sales. Smaller stores inquired about the space, but it was hoped the store would not have to be split up. “So Walmart was a good fit,” Rontell said. The Ochinero family of Fresno leased the Ashlan and Blackstone avenues property to Walmart. City officials were also pleased that Walmart decided to lease the space. “I’m so happy that Walmart picked Central Fresno,” said Clinton Olivier, city councilman for the 7th district. “I only see benefits.” Olivier said he is also glad Walmart is building a neighborhood store at Shields and Cedar avenues. Olivier added that in campaigning for reelection, he has not found any opposition to the stores. “I knock on doors and not one person has told me I am disappointed that Walmart is coming.” However, he pointed out that Walmart did not face public comment at a public hearing. Because Walmart is moving into an existing retail building, neither a hearing nor a permit from the city council or planning commission is required for the refurbishing projects. Still, the work is seen as a big improvement, considering the Mervyn’s store has been vacant for more than five years. “We welcome this private investment along the city’s major north-south commercial corridor,” said Ashley Swearengin, mayor of Fresno, in a release. “Projects like these, coupled with the city’s vision for improving Blackstone Avenue with public infrastructure will help give new life to this critical commercial corridor.” Some sprucing up at the location is also expected to discourage prostitution, gangs, crime and graffiti — all cited as problems in the area. Most of the work and expense in upgrading the Mervyn’s building has been in installing cold cases for perishable groceries, Garcia said. She said the exterior of the building would remain mostly the same, but would include new signage and decoration. Reeve-Knight Construction of Roseville is doing the refurbishing work. Along with food, the supercenter will carry value-priced general merchandise including apparel, electronics, toys and sporting goods. Food offerings include organic selections, fresh dairy and meat departments and fruits and vegetables. The store also features a pharmacy. “It will be one-stop shopping,” Garcia said. The Walmart Neighborhood Market at Shields and Cedar avenues will offer a full supermarket line of groceries along with some household products, pet supplies and pharmacy services. Fresno’s first neighborhood market opened near Herndon and Willow avenues in May 2013, followed by a Clovis location near Clovis and Shaw avenues in September 2013. Visalia received the Valley’s first neighborhood market in March 2013. Each store typically employs about 65 people. Garcia added that supercenters also have a positive impact on the community. They help to revitalize the area and bring back local shoppers, Garcia said. Also, businesses tend to invest in new stores once a strong anchor store is in place, she said. --- Walmart expansion in the Central Valley From large to small-format stores, Walmart has been on an aggressive growth path in the last year. 2015 Projected opening, new Fresno neighborhood market (3131 N. Cedar Ave.) Summer 2014 Projected opening, Fresno supercenter (4150 N. Blackstone Ave.) September 2013 Clovis neighborhood market opens. (1830 Shaw Ave.) August 2013 Kerman supercenter opens (4061 W. Whitesbridge Ave.) May 2013 Fresno’s first neighborhood market opens March 2013 Clovis supercenter opens (323 W. Shaw Ave.) March 2013 Visalia neighborhood market opens (1320 N Demaree St.)
URL to original article: http://www.thebusinessjournal.com/news/retail/11597-walmart-growing-big-growing-small-in-fresno
For further information on Fresno Real Estate check: http://www.londonproperties.com
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