Franchise Pick

Cena Meal Prep Franchise Boasts Slump-Defying Sales Model

by sean on February 24th, 2008

(FranchisePick.Com) Related Articles: Cena Meal Prep Franchise by the Numbers, Cena Meal Prep Franchise Boasts Slump-Defying Sales Model, Cena Meal Prep Franchise by the Numbers

When other “meal prep” or “meal assembly kitchen” franchises seem concerned with holding on to what they’ve got, meal prep franchise Cena is planning to increase corporate revenue by 20% in 2008. Cena Franchising Founder Tammy Badinger plans to open 7 new franchise locations in the next month, and 17 total this year. Cena’s founder claims they know how to get customers in the door, and maximize their revenue by offering a variety of options, according to an article (Meal-prep chain serves up success) in the Spokane Journal:

Badinger says Cena should outperform the industry.
She says that Cena stores have profit centers that in some cases bring in as much revenue as the meals themselves, making the franchises unique in the industry. Those profit centers include full wine shops, bakery products, side dishes, and facility rentals.
Cena even sells its own signature coffee, an all-organic, free-trade blend roasted here by 4 Seasons Coffee Co., of Spokane. The coffee is fresh roasted to order for each Cena outlet.
Badinger says Cena prides itself on its selection of “a little better wines at very competitive prices,” and franchisees are encouraged to help customers pair wines with meals.
Cena outlets also can serve wine in the stores, so customers can sample wine as they put meals together.
Cena facilities can be rented for private parties, Badinger says. Corporations sometimes use a facility as a new twist on an office party, or as a team-building exercise.
“When you’re done, you have something to take home,” Badinger says.
She says franchisees also are encouraged to hold special events such as local wine tastings.
The events, she adds, aren’t very profitable, but introduce potential customers to the Cena concept.
“Our forte is getting people in the door,” she says. “Cena is a fun place to be. You can have a glass of wine and get some work done.”

…In addition to having customers put together meals themselves at the stores, Cena also offers a service, called Gourmet to Go, in which it prepares meals for customers to pick up, and that segment of the chain’s business is growing, Badinger says.

Read the entire article.

Are you familiar with the Cena or the Cena franchise? Can this schoolteacher - who franchised within a year of opening - succeed where others are struggling? Leave a comment; share your thoughts.

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