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Jay-Z's 40/40 Club has faced its share of problems. Most recently, its Las Vegas location at the Palazzo Hotel Casino was closed after being open for just nine months, after its owners decided to use the space for more gambling.
Despite small setbacks, the franchise has proven to be successful. In December, news of a deal surfaced which would bring 40/40 Clubs into major airports around the country.
And now, in a new report by The Network Journal, there's plans to open new locations in Chicago, Dallas, Atlanta, Tokyo and Macau through 2011. Currently, the 40/40 has its original location in Manhattan, as well as a chain restaurant in Atlantic City.
As far as the airport expansions, Jay and his partners have teamed up with Delaware North Companies, a hospitality and food service company, to open clubs at select airports. However, it still unknown what airports they are expected to open in.
Delaware North owns space at more than 20 major U.S. airports, as well as sports stadiums, entertainment complexes, parks, and resorts.
Experts say the move has the makings of turning the 40/40 chain into a major player in the restaurant industry, due to the sheer traffic through airports.
"The amount of traffic present in an airport justifies the business case for operating a food establishment there," Alex Askew, co-founder of the Black Culinarian Alliance, told The Network Journal. "The cost may be higher but customers are always guaranteed.
"I don't think that is the exact same clientele you will find on the airport side. But the frequent business traveler will likely be the customer with a color blind (that it is owned by a hip hop artist) traffic flow."
Despite the praise, Askew says there's still a chance the deal could water down the brand, so Jay has to choose where 40/40 Clubs open wisely.
"In the case of the food establishment that stays in business there usually is a formula of success that is comprised of operations, service and quality excellence and consistency," he explained. "The way to insure those items is maintained a highly qualified management team will be the key."
The 40/40 Club is named after the prestigious MLB achievement: when a player hits 40 home runs and steals 40 bases in a single season. In baseball history, only four professional baseball players have achieved the accomplishment: Barry Bonds, Alex Rodriguez, Jose Canseco and Alfonso Soriano. These players have their jerseys displayed in the 40/40 Club in New York City.
The original 40/40 Club in Manhattan is scheduled to shut down from April to July of 2011 to undergo renovations.
Source: ballerstatus.com
Despite small setbacks, the franchise has proven to be successful. In December, news of a deal surfaced which would bring 40/40 Clubs into major airports around the country.
And now, in a new report by The Network Journal, there's plans to open new locations in Chicago, Dallas, Atlanta, Tokyo and Macau through 2011. Currently, the 40/40 has its original location in Manhattan, as well as a chain restaurant in Atlantic City.
As far as the airport expansions, Jay and his partners have teamed up with Delaware North Companies, a hospitality and food service company, to open clubs at select airports. However, it still unknown what airports they are expected to open in.
Delaware North owns space at more than 20 major U.S. airports, as well as sports stadiums, entertainment complexes, parks, and resorts.
Experts say the move has the makings of turning the 40/40 chain into a major player in the restaurant industry, due to the sheer traffic through airports.
"The amount of traffic present in an airport justifies the business case for operating a food establishment there," Alex Askew, co-founder of the Black Culinarian Alliance, told The Network Journal. "The cost may be higher but customers are always guaranteed.
"I don't think that is the exact same clientele you will find on the airport side. But the frequent business traveler will likely be the customer with a color blind (that it is owned by a hip hop artist) traffic flow."
Despite the praise, Askew says there's still a chance the deal could water down the brand, so Jay has to choose where 40/40 Clubs open wisely.
"In the case of the food establishment that stays in business there usually is a formula of success that is comprised of operations, service and quality excellence and consistency," he explained. "The way to insure those items is maintained a highly qualified management team will be the key."
The 40/40 Club is named after the prestigious MLB achievement: when a player hits 40 home runs and steals 40 bases in a single season. In baseball history, only four professional baseball players have achieved the accomplishment: Barry Bonds, Alex Rodriguez, Jose Canseco and Alfonso Soriano. These players have their jerseys displayed in the 40/40 Club in New York City.
The original 40/40 Club in Manhattan is scheduled to shut down from April to July of 2011 to undergo renovations.
Source: ballerstatus.com