For immediate release – September 28, 2004
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LaMar’s Sales Increase Bucks Low-Carb Trend
First six months for new CEO yields increased
traffic, new franchises
DENVER – Despite a recent downward
trend for America’s donut industry, LaMar’s Donuts today
released sales and customer-traffic figures indicating steady growth
in 2004 among 24 stores in six states, which includes nine in the
Denver metro area.
In contrast to a 2.3 percent drop in doughnut industry sales
volume for the 12-week period ending June 13, 2004, according to a
Reuters report release on June 30th, LaMar’s posted a sales increase
of 15 percent from January to June 2004 over the same period in 2003.
The increase is 18 percent higher than the same period in 2002. LaMar’s
customer traffic also increased by 2.5 percent in the same period versus
2003, and 8.1 percent more than 2002.
In March, LaMar’s owners Ed Hughes and Jack Irwin appointed former
restaurant design and management consultant Anthony Bonelli as the
new CEO. Bonelli implemented several sweeping changes, including a
co-branding program with Dazbog Coffee announced in April.
“
A small part of the rise in sales is due to a price increase
of 5 to 10 cents per donut,” Bonelli said. “However, we
just made that change in May, and even with higher prices, more people
are coming to LaMar’s to buy donuts.”
LaMar’s coffee offerings have become more visible since Bonelli’s
arrival. Stores have added separate Dazbog Coffee bars and a far wider
range of beverages, including a line of chilled coffee refreshments.
“It’s clear our customers have noticed the changes we’ve
made,” Bonelli said. “And we’re not done yet. In
a few weeks we’ll introduce a new product that should attract
considerable attention.”
LaMar’s continues to expand. With stores spread from Arizona
to Alabama, LaMar’s has new franchise agreements to open stores
in Arizona, Colorado, Kentucky, Nebraska, and Missouri, where a new
location will open in LaMar ’s birthplace of Kansas City.
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About LaMar’s Donuts
Founded in 1960 by Ray Lamar, LaMar’s Donuts made its debut in
Kansas City. Based on the donut shop's phenomenal success and
widespread reputation, franchises began selling in the early 1990s
for bistro-style
donut stores. LaMar’s now has 24 locations in six states: Alabama,
Arizona, Colorado, Kansas, Missouri, and Nebraska.
LaMar’s
donuts have been recommended by Zagat’s Survey, the New Yorker
and Gourmet Magazine, and have been chosen as best donut by newspapers
nationwide. Additional information can be found at www.lamars.com.
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