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Talk About Tulsa => Development & New Businesses => Topic started by: sgrizzle on March 16, 2011, 09:12:29 AM

Title: Carvel/Schlotsky's/Cinnabon
Post by: sgrizzle on March 16, 2011, 09:12:29 AM
I was somewhat excited to see what appeared to be three new businesses opening in front of Reasor's at 41st & Yale. There have been few new Schlotsky's (even though I don't eat there) and there is no Carvel Ice Cream store and no freestanding Cinnabon in town. It's now open so I went in to investigate it and was a bit dissapointed.

What I found was one door leading to a schlotsky's. The Cinnabon is nothing more than a warming tray of cinnamon rolls. The Carvel is nothing more than a soft serve machine and a tray of sprinkles.

I can only assume I'm not the only one who was a bit dissapointed to see that two businesses with their own discreet signs and advertising are really just about 6sq ft of countertop space at a Schlotskys
Title: Re: Carvel/Schlotsky's/Cinnabon
Post by: zstyles on March 16, 2011, 09:27:06 AM
Well I guess its better than what was there!
Title: Re: Carvel/Schlotsky's/Cinnabon
Post by: Conan71 on March 16, 2011, 09:27:21 AM
Quote from: sgrizzle on March 16, 2011, 09:12:29 AM
I was somewhat excited to see what appeared to be three new businesses opening in front of Reasor's at 41st & Yale. There have been few new Schlotsky's (even though I don't eat there) and there is no Carvel Ice Cream store and no freestanding Cinnabon in town. It's now open so I went in to investigate it and was a bit dissapointed.

What I found was one door leading to a schlotsky's. The Cinnabon is nothing more than a warming tray of cinnamon rolls. The Carvel is nothing more than a soft serve machine and a tray of sprinkles.

I can only assume I'm not the only one who was a bit dissapointed to see that two businesses with their own discreet signs and advertising are really just about 6sq ft of countertop space at a Schlotskys

FMC and I saw that on Sunday but didn't go in.  I'd heard nothing of it and I find it rather odd there's been no mention of this venture, especially if it's something new trying to bring together several food options under one roof.  I drive by there regularly, and if we'd not been in the parking lot, I'd still not realize it was there.

I love Schlotzsky's but it's not something I eat often, glad to have one close to the casa.
Title: Re: Carvel/Schlotsky's/Cinnabon
Post by: Hoss on March 16, 2011, 09:41:22 AM
Quote from: Conan71 on March 16, 2011, 09:27:21 AM
FMC and I saw that on Sunday but didn't go in.  I'd heard nothing of it and I find it rather odd there's been no mention of this venture, especially if it's something new trying to bring together several food options under one roof.  I drive by there regularly, and if we'd not been in the parking lot, I'd still not realize it was there.

I love Schlotzsky's but it's not something I eat often, glad to have one close to the casa.

I knew the Schlotzky's was there; saw a TV ad for it last week on "Six in the Morning".  Production value wasn't real high though, so there you have it...
Title: Re: Carvel/Schlotsky's/Cinnabon
Post by: Townsend on March 16, 2011, 09:43:15 AM
Quote from: Conan71 on March 16, 2011, 09:27:21 AM
FMC and I saw that on Sunday but didn't go in.  I'd heard nothing of it and I find it rather odd there's been no mention of this venture, especially if it's something new trying to bring together several food options under one roof.  I drive by there regularly, and if we'd not been in the parking lot, I'd still not realize it was there.

I love Schlotzsky's but it's not something I eat often, glad to have one close to the casa.

Exactly the same for me except I was with PMT not FMC.
Title: Re: Carvel/Schlotsky's/Cinnabon
Post by: Conan71 on March 16, 2011, 09:46:21 AM
Quote from: Townsend on March 16, 2011, 09:43:15 AM
Exactly the same for me except I was with PMT not FMC.

PMT?  Try and be a little more optimistic  ;D
Title: Re: Carvel/Schlotsky's/Cinnabon
Post by: RecycleMichael on March 16, 2011, 09:47:30 AM
present?
Title: Re: Carvel/Schlotsky's/Cinnabon
Post by: Patrick on March 16, 2011, 09:52:08 AM
I drive by there every day too/from work.  It always seems to be packed.  While I have not been inside, I like that they have taken a vacant site, remodeled, and made it into a nice place for lunch.  The patio on the north side of the location looks great.
Title: Re: Carvel/Schlotsky's/Cinnabon
Post by: swake on March 16, 2011, 10:06:11 AM
Quote from: RecycleMichael on March 16, 2011, 09:47:30 AM
present?

Pregnant?
Previous?
PMSing?
Platonic?
Plowed?
Title: Re: Carvel/Schlotsky's/Cinnabon
Post by: Townsend on March 16, 2011, 10:09:45 AM
platitudinous ponderosity
Title: Re: Carvel/Schlotsky's/Cinnabon
Post by: Conan71 on March 16, 2011, 10:10:25 AM
I'm quite sure it's "present", oh wait, could be "permanent"  Let's hope.
Title: Re: Carvel/Schlotsky's/Cinnabon
Post by: shaddow on March 16, 2011, 10:47:15 AM
But does the carvel sell Fudgie the Whale?
Title: Re: Carvel/Schlotsky's/Cinnabon
Post by: Hoss on March 16, 2011, 11:45:28 AM
Quote from: shaddow on March 16, 2011, 10:47:15 AM
But does the carvel sell Fudgie the Whale?

We have a copycat in the house.  Sounds like him, too.
Title: Re: Carvel/Schlotsky's/Cinnabon
Post by: shaddow on March 16, 2011, 11:58:34 AM
Quote from: Hoss on March 16, 2011, 11:45:28 AM
We have a copycat in the house.  Sounds like him, too.


??? I don't remember him sounding like anything, it's just a cake.
Title: Re: Carvel/Schlotsky's/Cinnabon
Post by: carltonplace on March 16, 2011, 12:25:35 PM
Hoss was referring to another poster: shaddows who has a similar nom d'keyboard and a distinct posting style/prose/ramble. 
Title: Re: Carvel/Schlotsky's/Cinnabon
Post by: shaddow on March 16, 2011, 01:24:05 PM
Quote from: carltonplace on March 16, 2011, 12:25:35 PM
Hoss was referring to another poster: shaddows who has a similar nom d'keyboard and a distinct posting style/prose/ramble.  

Ohhh. I was just referring to the ice cream cake that Carvel sold on the east coast where I grew up. It was always featured on their commercials along with Hug me the bear and cookie puss. I was just surprised at a hearing about a Carvel out here and thought of the old commercials.

Title: Re: Carvel/Schlotsky's/Cinnabon
Post by: shaddow on March 16, 2011, 01:28:14 PM
I just looked up some of his posts and he only has 1 d in his name and he seems way more interested in politics and not fun stuff like ice cream cake.
Title: Re: Carvel/Schlotsky's/Cinnabon
Post by: patric on March 16, 2011, 01:34:25 PM
Had been waiting for this to open for months, ever since I read it on TulsaNow.  First try I couldnt get in as the line was out the door.  Yesterday I made it and was surprised at the layout, too.
What I like about the other restaurants is the food preparation area was in plain view, this one is in a back room.
Somehow, it makes it seem "less fresh" but that's a perception.
The patio area to the north was interesting, but a boring view of the Reasors parking lot instead of having it face the street.
Title: Re: Carvel/Schlotsky's/Cinnabon
Post by: TheArtist on March 16, 2011, 01:41:03 PM
  Ate there just last week.  Is nice to have another food option right by the house and its going to be great (bad for the waistline though it may be lol) for those times when the ol sweet tooth gets riled up. The good thing is the ice cream.  I can't tell you the number of times we have headed over to the Micky D's with a dollop of ice cream on the mind only to find "the machine isn't working" DRATS!  Now we have another option.
Title: Re: Carvel/Schlotsky's/Cinnabon
Post by: Conan71 on March 16, 2011, 04:24:52 PM
Took my mom for lunch today around 12:45 crowd was not bad at all.  Still Schlotzskys.
Title: Re: Carvel/Schlotsky's/Cinnabon
Post by: we vs us on March 16, 2011, 04:58:41 PM
This is a page out of Yum! Brands playbook:  take three uninspiring food concepts that can't stand alone outside of a mall food court and triple 'em up together under one roof.

Don't get me wrong.  I like Schlotzky's, but the Bundle O' Brands strategy feels kinda cheap to me. 
Title: Re: Carvel/Schlotsky's/Cinnabon
Post by: Hoss on March 16, 2011, 06:44:31 PM
Quote from: we vs us on March 16, 2011, 04:58:41 PM
This is a page out of Yum! Brands playbook:  take three uninspiring food concepts that can't stand alone outside of a mall food court and triple 'em up together under one roof.

Don't get me wrong.  I like Schlotzky's, but the Bundle O' Brands strategy feels kinda cheap to me. 

Really wish they wouldn't do stuff like that.  My dad turned me on to Schlotzky's as a youth; the first one I remember was on Lewis.  Then one on Mingo just south of 31st.  There was also one at 11th & Pittsburgh I believe.  I remember that one vividly because I took my girlfriend to the fair, but before we went to the fair she asked if I'd take her to Schlotzky's.

Ahh, waxing nostalgic...
Title: Re: Carvel/Schlotsky's/Cinnabon
Post by: Conan71 on March 16, 2011, 11:12:20 PM
I don't think it's all that bad.  As a franchise owner, it's a great way to economize on your rent and development costs while having a little bit of something for everyone.  I pretty much avoid ice cream and sugary baked goods as much as I can handle the temptation, so neither case on the counter top held much fascination for me.  The thing which struck me as different though is I like the layout of the restaurant and the more of a deli fell in the one at 71st & Lewis and 101st(ish) & Memorial.  This looks and feels a little more like Burger King or McDonald's inside sort of like they cheapened the brand a little.  One thing they did well though is the patio dining.

It's still the same great bread though they are lighter on the black olives than they used to be on the original.  Not as much mustard either.  Could be the sandwich assembler or maybe they are skimping some ingredients to keep the medium at the important $5 price point.

Only real criticism is they have no signage perpendicular to Yale that I could see.  Unless you look to the side when you are driving by, it's easy to miss.  I usually don't take my eyes off the road with people coming and going from the entrance to the center or with the intersection approach heading south.  They aren't even on the multi tenant marquee sign under the shopping center sign yet.

Title: Re: Carvel/Schlotsky's/Cinnabon
Post by: zstyles on March 17, 2011, 10:40:31 AM
http://www.tulsaworld.com/business/article.aspx?subjectid=53&articleid=20110317_53_E1_CUTLIN547252

Title: Re: Carvel/Schlotsky's/Cinnabon
Post by: Conan71 on March 17, 2011, 10:43:44 AM
LOL, I wonder if the World has been creeping TNF again.
Title: Re: Carvel/Schlotsky's/Cinnabon
Post by: sgrizzle on March 18, 2011, 12:49:32 PM
Quote from: Conan71 on March 17, 2011, 10:43:44 AM
LOL, I wonder if the World has been creeping TNF again.

No, just needed to find another reason to talk about how awesome beautiful brands is.
Title: Re: Carvel/Schlotsky's/Cinnabon
Post by: zstyles on March 18, 2011, 03:31:53 PM
LOL I can honestly say that BB really should stick with growing Camille's, when they can't even sustain one in their own city, that's pretty sad. The ones at the mall are CRAP, bad customer service and fast food quality food anymore...fresh-berry is okay, but they are getting a run for their money...Dixie Cream? Bad spot for a majority of Tulsa's/BA/Bixbyians who never make it over there...seems like they are living off franchise fee's? LOL