5 Reasons Darden should buy P.F. Chang’s.

To contact us Click HERE


Darden has spent much of the pastfive years building and edifying a portfolio of brands that can help it remainthe largest full-service restaurant brand in the United Sates.  While the economy and the consumer struggle andare moving on respectively. Darden finds itself with two brand niche leadersand five regional brands each with synergies yet no chopsticks.   Here are my 5 reasons Darden should buy P.F.Chang’s:  

1. Authenticity, Darden brands strive to have authentic identity and a true consistent brand message.  They are and so is P.F. Chang’s.
2. Complementary Leadership styles, both teams proven, both with outstanding education and hands on proven ability.
3. Small Store format, P.F. Chang’s has a growing small quick service format that could be a template for other Darden legacy brands.
4. $300 Million supply chain, Darden farm to fork seafood supply chain would have an additional avenue of product distribution with and edifying home office in Malaysia, authenticity built in.
5. $100 Million retail product line, P.F. Chang’s product launch last year into retail grossed $100M the first year.  That knowledge skill set could well be worth its weight in gold too Darden.

 Darden's existing portfolio of brandsinclude: Red Lobster, Olive Garden, LongHorn Steakhouse, The Capital Grille,Bahama Breeze, Seasons 52 and Eddie V’s. P.F.Chang’s is a brand niche leader and would fit well into the Dardenportfolio.  The opportunity to mix andmatch branded concepts while selling global regional development agreements canonly be enhanced with the inclusion of P.F. Chang’s.  Most important P.F. Chang’s has CHOPSTICKS!
Steven Johnson is Grocerant Guru atTacoma, WA based Foodservice Solutions, with extensive experience as amulti-unit restaurant operator, consultant, brand / product positioning expertand public speaking. Facebook.com/Steven Johnson,Linkedin.com/in/grocerant or twitter.com/grocerant