February 8, 2005
As Barney’s
Steak & Seafood celebrates 30 years of successful operation in
Central Florida, Brad Dean reflects on the many changes and resulting
sales growth that have taken place during the restaurant’s first full
year under his sole ownership.
Orlando, FL –
Barney’s Steak & Seafood, located on Colonial Drive near downtown
Orlando, has been a local favorite for more than 30 years, and has
continued to thrive in an area that once flourished as a central
hotspot for nightlife.
Since Brad Dean assumed full ownership in
November 2003, many changes have been made to the interior of the
building, including a full refurbishment of the dining room last
May. At a total cost of approximately $30,000, the transformation
included the addition of new carpeting and booths, delicate lighting
fixtures, formal white tablecloths, and a warm painted red brick décor,
all of which subtly bring the focus to the tables and a create a
feeling of privacy for the guests.
Barney’s ended the
year with record sales in December, serving 2,000 more guests and
increasing sales by approximately 30% over December 2003. The
restaurant ended the year with a total increase in sales by 10%, even
with the damaging impacts of the 2004 hurricane season.
So far
this year, Dean is pleased that January’s sales have remained
consistent with last year’s, which were 12% higher than in 2003, giving
him the opportunity to continue making improvements to the interior of
the restaurant.
Currently, Dean is making plans to completely
refurbish their Atrium Lounge, which provides live piano-bar style
entertainment four nights per week. Large U-shaped, high-back
booths will be added, along with a black slate tile floor, new
carpeting and marble countertops, as well as the addition of high-top
tables to provide additional seating close to the bar. Dean also
hopes to expose the lounge’s fireplace and more of the dance floor
area, which are both currently blocked by the baby grand piano.
Recognizing
the need for these updates, Dean hopes to give the lounge a more
contemporary, black-and-tan look, while maintaining the restaurant’s
elegant and classic ambiance.
“Everything will be taken out and
updated, except for the wood and brick walls,” said Dean. “I am
not focused on how much money I am spending or not spending to get this
project done; I am focused on doing it right.”
The renovation
will not affect the lounge’s hours of operation and Dean hopes to have
it complete by April, along with improvements to exterior landscape of
the building. When it’s all said and done, Dean will have
completely refurbished the restaurant “top to bottom” at a total cost
of approximately $150,000.
“When I became involved with Barney’s
in 2000, the restaurant was a diamond in the rough,” Dean said.
“I knew that these changes were necessary to keep my loyal guests happy
and to also attract a new crowd of today’s professionals. I’m
pleased to say that I am polishing it up into the jewel it once was.”
For more information about Barney’s, please visit www.barneyssteakhouse.com.
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Media Contact:
Quantified Marketing Group
407.936.1010
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