Tulsa World: Chinese food chain on way

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Chinese food chain on way
Franchisers see potential in the Tulsa retail market despite pressures on the economy nationwide.

The Panda Express food chain expects to open its first Tulsa location by August. Courtesy

By ROBERT EVATT World Staff Writer
Published: 5/20/2009 2:20 AM
Last Modified: 5/20/2009 4:07 AM

LAS VEGAS — A popular fast-casual Chinese food chain is headed to Tulsa, and a beer-serving theater operation may not be far behind.

Laura Lund, a spokeswoman for Panda Express, said the chain's first Tulsa location should open by August at 71st Street and Mingo Road. It likely will be followed by four to seven more restaurants in the area, she said.

Lund disclosed those plans Tuesday at the Global Retail Real Estate Convention, sponsored by the International Council of Shopping Centers.

The industry event, being held this week at the Las Vegas Convention Center, draws tens of thousands of real estate professionals, developers, land owners, and retail and restaurant representatives in the hopes of matching tenants with operating space and bringing concepts to new cities.

Robert Kluger, vice president of real estate for Panda, said the Rosemead, Calif.-based chain is growing "like an amoeba" from its arm in Dallas and the several locations in Oklahoma City.

"We want to parlay our success in Oklahoma into Tulsa," he said. "Based on our research, we think it will be one of our largest markets."

Kluger said the Tulsa area is especially attractive since it's weathering the recession better than most of the nation.

Though Panda Express is continuing to expand, the recession is slowing its progress.

Kluger said the lack of new retail centers of the type that attracts Panda is slowing the chain's growth from 260 new locations in 2008 to an estimated 85 this year.

Another chain is counting on people wanting to escape from their troubles for a little while.

John Martin, CEO of Alamo Drafthouse Cinemas, said escapism has been great for his growing company.

The Austin, Texas-based chain, which combines movie showings with dinner and drinks, is growing rapidly, and Martin wants to bring two locations to Tulsa.

Alamo features all-digital screens, special showings of cult movies as well as popular fare, and a policy of not allowing anyone under 17 who is not accompanied by a parent.

"We're not a drop-off babysitter," Martin said. "Oftentimes adults would rather stay home than deal with a theater that's infested with loud teenagers."

Children under 6 aren't allowed at all, except on special "baby nights."

Alamo began franchising five years ago and now has seven Texas locations.

Martin said he's been looking to enter Tulsa for several years.

The theater's design features tables in front of each row of seats. Waiters serve meals and drinks.

Alamo is seeking a franchisee who is up to the challenge of serving 1,200 meals in the short time before the lights dim and the picture starts, but Martin said he's "very certain" he'll be able to get Alamo up and running in the metro area within two years.

Martin also is targeting other parts of Oklahoma, as well as Arkansas, California and the East Coast.

Mendy Parish of CB Richard Ellis/Oklahoma, who is attending the ICSC event, said quite a few upscale retailers or restaurants have skipped the convention this year, and many ambitious development projects are on hold.

"Anyone doing deals with luxury tenants, such as large lifestyle centers, is having a hard time," she said.

However, Parish said discount stores and less-expensive dining concepts are doing well during the recession, since many people are spending less rather than cutting out entertainment entirely.

Retail booths are occupied by company after company with modest price ranges — Dollar General, Dairy Queen, Domino's, 7-Eleven.

And Firehouse Subs, which continues to grow. James Maxwell, a representative of the company, said the chain has been pleased by the performance of its new Tulsa location at 71st Street and Memorial Drive.

In fact, Firehouse's local franchisees, Dean and Jennifer Cooper, are pushing ahead.

"They've got the rights to make four more of them in the area, and they hope to have them ready in the next year," Maxwell said.

Others are more cautious.

John Finnemore of the Red Robin gourmet hamburger chain said the economy is preventing the company from expanding as much as it would like this year.

"We're not looking to expand in Oklahoma right now," he said, "but we're not looking to expand much right now in general."

Robert Evatt 581-8447
robert.evatt@tulsaworld.com By ROBERT EVATT World Staff Writer

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	Report Comment Ron Ballew, Lawton (5/20/2009 6:53:47 AM) People only eat out so much. Anytime a new restuarant opens another one has to close. This does not expand the economy. Like when Walmart comes to town, all the small business close down. The Walmart business comes from someone else's business.
	Report Comment rememberme?, (5/20/2009 7:12:13 AM) Tulsa is not lacking in good locally owned Chinese food places. Go to one of those instead. FuWa at 101st/Sheridan is my personal fav for takeout.
	Report Comment SS_Hippy, Tulsa (5/20/2009 7:53:29 AM) i wouldn't like a movie theater that serves meals and drinks. My wife chews too loudly and booze makes me sleepy!
	Report Comment toyourdismay, Tulsa (5/20/2009 8:17:04 AM) An Alamo Drafthouse would be GREAT. The ones in Austin are always packed and a really good time.
	Report Comment jjmzmkts, Tulsa (5/20/2009 8:17:22 AM) Panda Express is excellent and friends in Florida that have movie theatres where you can also dine and drink absolutely love them. For people who want the traditional movie experience, there are more than enough theatres in Tulsa for that. If we want the younger consumer to stay in Tulsa, we need to provide what excites them, not continue with the status quo, business as usual.
	Report Comment coffeelady, (5/20/2009 8:31:44 AM) rememberme?, I agree...eat local, support our local Tulsa independent businesses! As for the Alamo Drafthouse, it is a huge success in Austin and there is nothing like it here. I hope it gets up and running.
	Report Comment Cooldaddy, Broken Arrow (5/20/2009 8:33:01 AM) I may have to stop eating over at Ching Chang Chu's and check these folks out.
	Report Comment Bart78, (5/20/2009 8:43:57 AM) As a former OKC metro resident, I can certainly say I enjoyed going to the Warren Theatre in Moore for the meal, drinks, and movie experience. I welcome the Alamo Drafthouse to Tulsa and look forward to attending. Might I suggest the Tulsa Hills development as a prime location (hint, hint)? As others have noted, there are plenty of local choices for Oriental so Panda Express does not interest me.
	Report Comment Bullhead, Nicut (5/20/2009 9:16:02 AM) Well, I miss Molly Murphys.
	Report Comment SoonerDJ, Lisbon, Portugal (5/20/2009 9:18:30 AM) I experienced Panda when I moved to San Diego. I have to say it fast became one of my favorite fast food places. I just love it. I have not lived in Tulsa for some time, but I only remember a few buffets spots and Egg Roll Express as being the only asian cuisine. I think Tulsa needs some Thai and Indian places if they don't have them already.
	Report Comment shaw411, Scottsdale, AZ (5/20/2009 9:21:13 AM) Panda Express is everywhere here in Phoenix. I prefer Egg Roll Express but this is a close second.
	Report Comment HarleyRyder55, Tulsa (5/20/2009 9:22:57 AM) Bullhead, same here. I made two mistakes while dining there. My friend and I ordered the Bacchus feast, and I asked directions to the Men's Room. Man that place was crazy fun! Now for this article. I'm confused. There used to be(and still could be) a Panda Express in Jenks just west of Main and Peoria. I lived in the apartments right behind it and ate there quite often. But the article says "their first location" in the Tulsa area. Could be a different company I suppose. Anyway, the one in Jenks had the best Chinese food around, and the portions(even the take-out) were so huge if you could eat it all you had a tapeworm, lol.
	Report Comment out here in the middle, Sand Springs (5/20/2009 9:46:46 AM) Oh, thank goodness. Another fast food restaurant in Tulsa. THAT'S what we need.
	Report Comment eddieo, Tulsa (5/20/2009 9:52:49 AM) I wish we could get an In & Out or get Jack in the Box to come back to town!
	Report Comment SoCal Fan, Broken Arrow (5/20/2009 9:52:50 AM) Yay! Panda Express! Can't wait.
	Report Comment SoCal Fan, Broken Arrow (5/20/2009 9:54:18 AM) Did someone say In-N-Out? I would chop your right arm for an In-N-Out Burger right now.
	Report Comment LocalBoy, B.A. (5/20/2009 10:05:32 AM) More choices is always better. Many of these are franchises so the ownership is local and even if the place is owned out of state, they still employ local folks so I will patronize anyone offering good food at a reasonable price for the food and service they provide. The more the merrier.
	Report Comment SoonerDJ, Lisbon, Portugal (5/20/2009 10:18:46 AM) I miss Sonic, Taco Bueno, and Braums. I wish those would branch out more.
	Report Comment Mar, Tulsa (5/20/2009 10:36:45 AM) I've heard of Panda Express, I'll have to try it when it opens. I agree they should put it out at Tulsa Hills. 71st & Memorial/Mingo/Garnett has more than enough eating and shopping places. A lot of people I know won't go to that area because of the traffic congestion, but I go there every so often, I've loved Woodland Hills Mall since they first opened in 1976 plus I use to manage a cosmetic store in the mall in the mid 1980's. The movie/theater place sounds great also. I love all the food choices around here. I first moved here from a small town in 1975, so I enjoyed all the places to eat out at here. The majority of the places I've eaten have been either good or great. Over a 34 year period of eating out here I can only think of maybe 4 or 5 places that I didn't like and didn't go back.
	Report Comment Ric, Broken Arrow (5/20/2009 10:47:28 AM) Ron Ballew People eat out so much in Tulsa because there's really not a whole lot to do other than that.
	Report Comment Ric, Broken Arrow (5/20/2009 10:50:40 AM) Try Bamboo Garden in Broken Arrow. Bamboo Garden 8210 South Elm Place 451-8898 (131st and South Elm, out by Indian Springs) Excellent food cooked fresh when you order. I get mine to go.
	Report Comment Arbythree, Tulsa (5/20/2009 10:54:35 AM) Maybe Ric and Shaw should put their names togther for this article. LOL!!
	Report Comment Ric, Broken Arrow (5/20/2009 11:23:46 AM) Singapore Spicy Chicken... uuummm-um!
	Report Comment lucky girl, mine (5/20/2009 11:26:30 AM) That reminds me, I'm hungry Arbythree...that was funny!
	Report Comment TARP, (5/20/2009 11:43:05 AM) I love chinese food. Actually, I love any kind of food. Benihanas is my favorite! chop chop. I love the guy who does that!
	Report Comment ktn, (5/20/2009 12:22:50 PM) yummy yummy...food, beer and movies....what more could you ask for
	Report Comment JB, (5/20/2009 1:11:17 PM) Enjoy your new Chipotle. I've enjoyed it in KC and Chicago for a while now. Delish.
	Report Comment Have that, America (5/20/2009 2:35:29 PM) thank god... the chinese food offerings in this town are horrible at best. PE is fully awesome.
	Report Comment JB, (5/20/2009 2:48:04 PM) I think Pei Wei is already pretty good. More expensive than normal fast food, but definitely a step up in quality.
	Report Comment Arbythree, Tulsa (5/20/2009 2:57:48 PM) Physical Education Have that?
	Report Comment Chuck Foxen, Tulsa (5/20/2009 4:27:59 PM) Yes! I wish it was closer to mid-town.
	Report Comment shaw411, Scottsdale, AZ (5/20/2009 5:02:56 PM) I may go to In-N-Out tonite for dinner!
	Report Comment shaw411, Scottsdale, AZ (5/20/2009 5:03:23 PM) I saw that Arby3
	Report Comment Bodean, Tulsa (5/20/2009 7:26:14 PM) Oh great. Another fast food chain in town. Some days I pine away for the days of yore before cities and towns all started looking alike. Is this Tulsa... or am I in the San Fernando Valley today? It's hard to tell with all the carbon copy chain restaurants and big box stores. Anyone here ever eat at the Prairie Restaurant in Vermillion, SD? It was a one-of-a-kind... a rarity today. That said, Panda Express is half decent. ;-)
	Report Comment SoonerDJ, Lisbon, Portugal (5/21/2009 5:19:30 AM) Do they have Benihanas in Tulsa? It is one of my favorites!
	Report Comment jjmzmkts, Tulsa (5/21/2009 9:26:53 AM) Gawd I miss In-N-Out since I left L.A. but I missed Braum's milk when I lived there. I don't care what comes to town; I'm never moving away from home again. Tulsa is the best place to live but you can only really appreciate that when you've lived somewhere else for awhile. L.A. is big fun but it's not an easy place to live.
	Report Comment Johnsonman, (5/21/2009 2:19:52 PM) There used to be a Panda Express in Owasso but now it's Seasons Express, on the southwest corner of 86th and 129th. Excellent for a cheap Chinese joint. I used to not like Chinese much till the wife started grabbing dinner there from time to time. I'm slavering like Homer right now just thinking about their Sesame Chicken. Mmmmmm sesame chicken... slaughhhhh!!! Even the most expensive Chinese joints don't hold a candle to them. All the Chinese joints here but one have gone out of business, Chinese restaurants have come and gone, while Seasons Express is standing room only most nights. Gotta be careful what night you eat there though, seems they've got one bad apple in the back room, and if he's the one that makes the food you get a mediocre meal. Otherwise, excellent.
	Report Comment Mr. Tweedy, Tulsa (5/27/2009 5:55:14 AM) Bah! What we really need is some places that serve good Viking food!

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