Shakey's Pizza in Bricktown?
Well, sort of. When asking about what once beloved restaurants should be brought back and reopened downtown, Shakey’s came up. I remember this old chain, and it was something special with its old time feel and jazz band music.
It just so happens that a year or so from now, we will be able to see the old Shakey’s Tiffany lamps and memorabilia when the American Banjo Museum opens up in Bricktown. But alas, no actual pizza. But … it just so happens that two doors down, the old Daiquiri Zone at 27 E Sheridan, is still empty. And it just so happens that place is still, as far as I know, equipped with pizza ovens from when it was Windy City. Now, a little history on this spot… it thrived as Windy City until the owners had the odd idea of taking what was a popular family-friendly pizza restaurant and making it a gay disco on Saturday nights.
Yes, it failed soon after.
Daiquiri Zone, meanwhile, seemed doomed from the start. Where do we begin? Bad name? Check. Inexperienced college football stars thinking they have what it takes to operate a successful restaurant? Check.
Really, this is a location that should work. It’s been successful before.
So maybe one of you out there are wondering, does Shakey’s still exist? Oh yes, and after a close call with franchise death, it seems to be coming back. And if you can first swing whatever rent is being asked for this spot, the next trick is to get a deal with Shakey’s. So here’s their q&a on this matter (note that there might be some difficulty on their prototype demands):
1. Where and when did the Shakey’s® name originate?
In 1954, Sherwood “Shakey” Johnson opened the first Shakey’s® restaurant in Sacramento, California.
2. Is Shakey’s® the oldest pizza restaurant franchise company?
In 1957, Shakey’s® was one of the first food service companies to begin franchising. Based on the success of the first Sacramento restaurant other locations were quickly snapped up and a standard building design was introduced. “Shakey” Johnson retired in 1967 his partner sold his interest in 1968.
3. What are the Shakey’s® signature menu items?
The original thin crust pizza with a crisp, crunchy taste and the classic pan pizza are the mainstays of our pizza restaurants. The new Shakey’s® Pizza Parlor restaurant continues tradition with our famous thin crust pizza, marinated deep-fried chicken, exclusive Mojo™ potatoes plus a wide spectrum of delicious items.
4. Who is the typical Shakey’ customer?
Our mission statement says it all:
For today’s families who love great pizza and want something special for the kids, Shakey’s is the gathering place where everyone has fun ™.
Shakey’s® hosts everyone that enjoys a fun family restaurant as a casual dining/entertainment destination. Shakey’s® guests are involved in their communities through team sports and school activities, and generally, live near their neighborhood location or in a school district within close proximity of a Shakey’s® restaurant location.
5. How many Shakey’s® Pizza restaurants are there and where are they located?
There are 15 company operated Shakey’s® Pizza Parlor’s in Southern California. There are another 39 franchised pizza parlor restaurants throughout California, Arizona, Washington, Wisconsin, Alabama and Georgia. There are currently over 200 Shakey’s® Pizza and Buffet restaurants worldwide!
6. What is the typical size and location for a new Shakey’s® Pizza Parlor today?
Our prototype Shakey’s® Pizza Parlor ranges from 5,500-6,500 square feet. The prototype, traditional sized restaurants are freestanding or end caps located in a neighborhood grocery anchored retail strip or “Power” shopping centers.7. What is the investment range necessary for a Shakey’s® Pizza Parlor?
The total investment for a Shakey’s® Pizza Parlor varies depending upon many factors including the location, whether the building is new construction or existing, freestanding or inline, land owned or leased, landlord contributions, etc. The range of the total investment for the 2000-6500 sq. ft. concept restaurant will be approximately $461,500 to $1,684,500. To obtain local Bank financing, you generally need 20-30% of the total investment as your liquid equity contribution.8. What are key characteristics for a new Shakey’s® restaurant location?
As part of our ongoing marketing efforts and development strategy, we are currently undertaking a comprehensive consumer research study to further define our customer’s demographic profile. Markets with minimums of 150,000 populations are preferred, together with a prevalence of middle-income families with median household incomes in the range of $45,000 to $75,000. Median Household sizes of 2.6 to 4 are desired. Shakey’s USA, Inc. must approve your restaurant location.9. What types of Shakey’s® franchise development are available to qualified candidates?
We offer two types of franchise development opportunities: Single restaurants OR multiple Area Developments with protected territories tied to a specific Shakey’s® restaurant development schedules.
10. What are the areas of targeted growth for Shakey’s®?
We are currently focused on developing the West and mid-western portions of the US and considering areas where Shakey’s® enjoyed a strong Brand recognition identity.
11. How profitable or how much money will I make as a Shakey’s® franchise?
The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) restricts franchisors from answering this question; although we do disclose an earnings claim in our UFOC, it represents seventeen locations, which derive their revenue from Bunch of Lunch™ and pizza. We encourage you to contact existing franchisee’s to obtain the answers to these types of questions. A list of our franchisees is provided in our Uniform Franchise Offering Circular (UFOC), which will be presented to you following the initial meeting.
12. What is the next step if I’m interested and qualify for a Shakey’s® franchise?Complete the inquiry form, press submit and it will automatically be forwarded to a franchise representative, which will call you to discuss the next steps in becoming part of the Shakey’s family!
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Comments
Shakey’s! We even had a Shakey’s way back down over into eastern Oklahoma. Had to go to town to get it: Sallisaw. Sniff … Mem’ries …
People need to get out more, there is a pizza place on S.E.29th called Round up, that has the old Shakeys menu, Pizza, There chicken is great and they have potatos. I have been goin there for at least 10 years, it is great.
Hey Steve,
This is a bit of a sidebar, so your indulgence and that of your readers is appreciated. When I moved back to Oklahoma after two years in France, I was thrilled to have a somewhat upscale gay venue to patronize in OKC as an option versus the decrepit state of 39th street. “Club Liquid” at the Windy City location was always packed to capacity every Thursday night, and a regular topic of conversation among the boys was how refreshing it was to be off “The Strip.”
I always understood that the owners were making money hand over fist from us, but I’m curious if you know something I didn’t know – Did we run off the straight people?? From what I understood at the time, though the owner was making money, he ready to be out of the restaurant business – I also suspect he and his family were preparing to sell the entire “candy factory” complex, which may have also been a part of the rationale to sell.
Regardless, we haven’t had a classy gay venue in OKC since, let alone anyplace in Bricktown in which I would feel the same level of comfort hanging out.
I have attempted to locate those places on an individual basis in the Bricktown and the CBD in which I feel are gay friendly, but I feel it is still an open question as to whether or not the OKC urban renaissance will ultimately be gay friendly and embrace us in the way other regional urban districts have, such as Dallas, Austin, etc.
But I digress, a Shakey’s would be great – I would certainly try it out.
Cheers,
Michael
Rod, that’s a pretty bold statement. People need to get out more? Have you been to Red Prime, the new Iguana Lounge, the Wedge, Rococo’s, Tom & Jerry’s, Trattoria Il Centro, Prohibition Room, Chuck House, Lido’s, Grand House, Falcone’s and other establishments that make our city unique?
Michael, I don’t think that a gay operated restuarant will necessarilly drive away straight customers. Best example of that would be the much missed Allen’s Cafe at NW 6 and Hudson. Hayden and his crew were flamboyant and even a bit edgy, but their ecletic art collection and a fantastic menu made Allen’s a favorite “worst kept secret” among downtowners, gay and straight.
But the deal with Windy City, from folks I talked to, was the conversion of Windy City into a gay disco on some nights. And yes, good or bad, that did drive off some people. Was it a gay issue? Not totally. You could have turned Windy City into a Purely Sinful or Spice at night and have driven away customers that way as well.
I guess what I’m saying is, for a lot of people, either you’re a restaurant, or you are a disco.
You had a very unfair opinion of the Daiquiri Zone. It had a very succsessful 5 year run!One of the main reasons it closed is discrimination and being picked on because of it being a perdominately African-American business running smoothly downtown OKC.Your right !It was doomed from the start!Terrance Brown is a great young business mind.Check his financial background.Thank you for your time.
Tell us more about Daiquiri Zone, Trae. I recall hearing similar complaints aired on local tv news reports just before it closed, but I never fully understood their basis.
The reason I suggest it was doomed from the start is because there were many observers who said the name didn’t match the theme – a cool sports bar set up with lots of televisions, recliners even. All I can report is that when I went there a handful of times, the decor and set-up were great, the food was average, and the service, well, it was horrible. Sorry, but that’s just what I experienced.
I’m all for it. Hal Smith or someone should bring Shakey’s back to OKC, and what a perfect place like downtown.