Fazoli’s, America’s largest fast-casual Italian chain, has announced its partnership with The Catering Institute and MonkeyMedia Software for off-premise sales strategy, education, and software services.

Beginning this week, all company locations will have implemented The Catering Institute’s business strategies of the Five Pillars of Successful Restaurant Catering along with a new software solution that will help restaurants grow sales and increase profits through takeout, delivery, and catering. By this fall, all franchise locations offering online catering services will have implemented the software.

“Our Fazoli’s franchised restaurants are currently experiencing three times the growth rate of the industry average,” says Carl Howard, president and CEO of Fazoli’s. “As we continue to experience tremendous momentum in 2016, we know its imperative to keep our franchisees armed with the latest technology. Supporting our dedicated franchisees with MONKEY, the #1 cloud platform for takeout, delivery and catering along with The Catering Institute’s business framework is a key component to our ongoing success, and I’m excited to announce this tactical business partnership.”

The Catering Institute and MonkeyMedia Software provide turnkey catering strategy, education, and software solutions to multi-unit restaurant operators looking to invest and grow their off-premise operations. As part of the agreement, The Catering Institute team is working with Fazoli's leadership on the company's strategic alignment for takeout, delivery, and catering.  

Fazoli's has also implemented MONKEY as the leading technology tool to support its existing strategic efforts and has started to launch the software throughout the chain. MONKEY is a comprehensive web-based solution for takeout, delivery, and catering channels and includes:

· Online/Mobile-Web/Phone-In (Call/Support Center) ordering for Takeout, Delivery, and Catering

· Enterprise Order Management

· Electronic coordination and acceptance of catering orders

· Customer Relation Management

· Customer Case Management

· Management of Accounting Transactions 

· Delivery Management Tools

· Catering Production Management

· MonkeyLeadTracker: Sales Team and Lead Management

· MonkeySee Data Service

· Enterprise and Local Reporting

· Credit Card Payment Gateway Interface via "Plug n Pay"

· POS Integration 

Fazoli’s strong performance, combined with an industry-leading new franchisee incentive program, continues to drive the brand’s expansion. With plans to open 12 new restaurants this year, Fazoli’s also recently opened in Montgomery, Alabama, and Macon, Georgia, where the company set an all time sale record for an opening week. The company is targeting new franchise development in markets including Atlanta, Cincinnati, Dallas, Detroit, Knoxville, Phoenix, Pittsburgh, and several other markets to grow and further catapult the brand’s development nationwide. 

New Fazoli’s franchisees are eligible for discounts of up to $20,000 off the initial $30,000 franchise fee. Royalties have been cut to 2 percent from 4 percent for the first year, and to 3 percent for the second year. Vendor fees also will be discounted for the first 12 months. The incentives are available to franchisees who sign agreements now through July 31.

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