Chevys 'Fresh Mex' restaurant opens in Hollywood, Fla.

ST. LOUIS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Oct. 23, 1995--A new Chevys Mexican Restaurant has just opened at 2900 Oakwood Blvd. in Hollywood, bringing the popular taste of Chevys "Fresh Mex(r)" to Florida's sunny beaches, announced Ted Geiger, Chevys vice president of Midwest Operations.

This new Chevys location is the second one to go on-line in the state of Florida.

Chevys' new 8,000 square foot facility in Hollywood is across the street from Incredible Universe and next to Cobb Movie Theater. It's near I-95 between Sheridan and Hollywood Blvd. The restaurant has a seating capacity of more than 250 people, including an outdoor patio area that accommodates 40 people.

Tony Gomes, a Chevys veteran of nearly seven years, will be the general manager. He recently opened two Chevys locations in the Chicago area. Prior to these assignments, Gomes has served as a general manager of Chevys restaurants in Ontario, Calif., St. Louis, and the Embarcadero Center in San Francisco.

Chevys currently employs more than 5,800 full- and part-time workers system-wide. The new Hollywood Chevys will create approximately 150 new jobs, boosting the total number of people employed by Chevys to nearly 300 in Florida. Chevys has one of the best employee relations programs in the industry, demonstrated by its low turn-over rate in management. Many of the original Chevys employees, both managers and hourly workers, are still with the company.

The secret to Chevys' success can be found in its "Fresh Mex(r)" Pledge, which is a commitment to using fresh, quality food ingredients in made-from-scratch dishes served to customers daily. No canned goods or food preservatives are allowed in the kitchen.

Chevys takes this promise of freshness very seriously, as evidenced by how the kitchen staff prepares the food everyday. For one thing, deliveries of fresh produce, meat, poultry and fish arrive on a daily basis. Chevys salsa is blended hourly with freshly charred tomatoes, onions and jalapenos.

Thousands of avocados are mashed to make the guacamole. Tortillas, served within three minutes of baking, are cranked out of an El Machino machine at a rate of about 900 per hour. And, 100% cholesterol-free canola oil is the only oil used for cooking.

"Chevys is winning the hearts and stomachs of Mexican food lovers everywhere because of its comfortable family atmosphere, friendly service and great food offered at affordable prices. It provides a dining experience suitable for all occasions whether it be a night out with the family, a business luncheon or a relaxing get-together with friends after work," Geiger said.

Chevys specialities include traditional Mexican favorites as well as a wide array of mesquite-grilled fajitas featuring a choice of fresh beef, chicken, vegetable, pork or fish. The menu also offers appetizers such as spicy wings and whole wheat quesadillas. Likewise, the Mexican Caesar and mesquite-grilled chicken salads and other tasty combination platters are popular order items.

Those who walk through the front doors of Chevys for the first time may feel like they've stepped into a south-of-the-border cantina somewhere in Mexico. Bright pastel colors are used throughout the interior with objects from a by-gone period and lively music to create a fun atmosphere for people of all ages to enjoy. It is a favorite watering hole after five, serving delicious frozen and fresh fruit margaritas. In addition, a wide selection of domestic and Mexican beers are offered.

Chevys Mexican Restaurants was founded in 1986 by experienced restauranteur Warren Simmons Sr. and his eldest son Warren "Scooter" Simmons Jr., who built the first location in Alameda, Calif. Five years later, Chevys was ranked as one of the fastest-growing restaurant chains in America by Restaurant Business Magazine.

"Our company is growing at such a phenomenal rate because we offer an alternative to traditional hacienda-style Mexican restaurants. It's more appealing to today's health-conscious consumers," said Geiger. "We are best known for our fresh, innovative approach to great tasting food and quality service."

The Hollywood Chevys represents the 66th site opened over the past nine years. This is one of two Chevys restaurants now operating in the state of Florida. The other one is located at 12547 State Road 535 in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. A third Chevys site is slated to go on-line in Miami's Paradise Valley on 82nd Street during the month of November.

So, where does Chevys go from here? If "Fresh Mex(r)" fans have it their ways, everywhere. -0-

October 1995

Note to Editors: Locations of all Chevys are shown below:

Arizona, 4 restaurants: Mesa, Glendale, Phoenix and Scottsdale Northern California, 31 restaurants: 22 in the San Francisco Bay 

area, 8 in the Sacramento area and 1 in the San Joaquin Valley Southern California, 11 restaurants: Anaheim Hills, Del Mar,

Encino, Fountain Valley, Irvine, San Diego, West Covina, Burbank,

Laguna Niquel, Ontario and Manhattan Beach Colorado, 3 restaurants: Englewood, Denver and Colorado Springs Florida, 2 restaurants: Buena Vista and Hollywood Illinois, 2 restaurants: Schaumburg and Woodridge Maryland, 1 restaurant: Greenbelt Missouri, 4 restaurants: Olivette, St. Charles, St. Louis and

Ellisville Nevada, 2 restaurants: Las Vegas Oregon, 4 restaurants: Beaverton, Hillsboro, Clcakamas and Lake

Oswego Virginia, 1 restaurant: Arlington Washington, 1 restaurant: Vancouver

CONTACT: Chevys Mexican Restaurants, San Francisco

Bruce MacDiarmid, Vice President of Marketing

415/546-1200

or

CUDA Communications Inc., St. Louis

Shirley Schermer, Executive V.P.

Tim Davidson, PR Manager

314/995-9044