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“White Linen” Restaurants Join Smith Analytics Program

By Anonymous

June 24, 2004 -- Ruth’s Chris Steak House and Palm Restaurants will become the first fine-dining chain restaurants to benefit from the Competitive Performance Analysis Program (CAP) provided by Smith Analytics, an affiliate of Smith Travel Research. Smith has been contracted to measure the performance of all units in both chains, which includes 89 Ruth’s Chris Steak House restaurants and 28 Palm Restaurants.

The Smith Analytics CAP program collects identical performance data points from each unit and converts them into confidential, aggregate performance reports that are distributed on a weekly basis. Unlike same-store analysis which offers only limited insight, the Smith Report is anchored by factual data that allow each restaurant to compare its performance to a chosen set of competitors on a local, regional and national basis. Key performance indicators such as weekly average unit volume, liquor sales, traffic and average check are tracked.

Smith Analytics is the only company that offers this level of analysis.

“Smith Analytics offers our company the opportunity to benchmark our performance on a market-by-market basis,” said Craig Miller, chief executive officer of Ruth’s Chris Steak House, Inc. “The fine dining steak house segment has become increasingly competitive. Being able to measure our market share is a valuable tool in determining the future size of the market and how our brand execution translates into our share of that market.”

Mr. Miller added “Being able to measure our performance in a confidential way against a custom defined competitive set of other restaurants will be an excellent way for us to gauge the effectiveness of our operations and marketing.”

“In the restaurant industry the battle for success is fought in each local trading area before it’s fought on the national level,” said Fred Thimm, president and chief operating officer of the Palm. “Finally our industry has a tool to benchmark success. Smith is a well-known brand in the hotel industry and we’re very pleased that its affiliate is providing an equally high-quality service to restaurants.”

Smith Analytics currently provides competitive performance data to many restaurant chains, including Au Bon Pain, Captain D’s Seafood, Panda Restaurant Group, Carlson Restaurants Worldwide Inc. (the parent of TGI Friday’s Inc.), Tony Roma’s, Houlihan’s, O’Charley’s, la Madeleine French Bakery, Café & Bistro, Chi-Chi’s, Friendly Ice Cream Corporation, Golden Corral, Marie Callender’s, Ryan’s Steakhouse, and The Krystal Company, as well as franchisees of Applebee’s, Denny’s, Waffle House and Pizzeria Uno.

“Our expansion into the fine dining segment on a national scale demonstrates the unique and powerful nature of the information provided in the Smith Report,” said Dan Webster, president and chief executive officer of Smith Analytics. “That value will continue to grow as more restaurants in each segment participate in the competitive analysis program.”

The methodology utilized by Smith Analytics is based on the unique reporting model pioneered by its affiliate, Smith Travel Research, in the lodging industry. Smith Travel Research has served as the lodging industry’s source of performance information for almost 20 years.

Contact:
Peter Collins
Pedone & Partners
(for Ruth’s Chris Steak House)
212-627-3300 x331 or peterc@pedonepartners.com

Della Homenik
ntegrated Marketing Communications
(for Smith Analytics)
440-895-1200 or della@intmark.com

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