Benfleet wins 'Wimpy of the Year'

Andrew Mcnair, Hussein Hassan, Angie Hassan, Darren Hele, Jaco Storm

Wimpy Benfleet has just been crowned the company's top performing restaurant at its annual awards this month. Franchisees Angie and Huseyin Hassan saw off stiff competition from over 176 Wimpy restaurants in the group to take the coveted 'Wimpy of the Year' title.
Throughout the year, the restaurants were judged against a number of criteria including health and safety procedures, employee training and the test of all tests – mystery shoppers rating the standard of their food and service.
Angie and Huseyin Hassan, Benfleet franchisees comment: "We are absolutely elated that we've won this award. As a team, we've worked really hard to achieve this great result, which is testament to everyone's dedication, not only to our business but our customers too.
"It's fantastic that we've been recognised internally but what makes the win even more special is that our customers have rated us so highly. It is a great pat on the back and, for this, we'd like to say a big thank you to everyone."
"The awards are a key event in the calendar and our franchisees are all keen to walk away with the top prize on the night. Every year we see the competition getting tougher and the standard higher, and this year the team at Benfleet demonstrated that they had what it takes to clinch the title. My congratulations go to Angie and Huseyin, who have worked with the Wimpy group for more than 25 years, and their team for this well deserved win."

ENDS
Press enquiries and image requests to:
Tangerine PR
Natalie Yaffe/Niki Duncan Tel 0161 817 6600
natalie.yaffe@tangerinepr.com/niki.duncan@tangerinepr.com

Notes for Editors

• The Wimpy brand was born out of the Lyons tea rooms. The first tea room opened in Piccadilly in 1894 and the first Corner House in 1909. The company expanded to become an important part of the British High street
• In 1954 Lyons opened a new restaurant format ‘Wimpy’ Bars. The format was a huge success and had soon outstripped Lyons as the predominant brand
• By the early 1970s the business had expanded to over a thousand restaurants in 23 countries
• In 1989 many of the Wimpy restaurants across the UK were rebranded as Burger King. The remaining Wimpy restaurants were mostly differentiated by offering table service
• Earlier in 2007, Famous Brands Limited - which own the Wimpy brand in South Africa representing a network in excess of 450 franchised restaurants - purchased the UK business

In October 2007 Wimpy unveiled its iconography, footprint and imagery for the consumer experience at a new Wimpy restaurant in Benfleet, Essex

New Owners For Wimpy Kings Lynn

Wimpy, the well-loved restaurant and original British burger chain in Kings Lynn, has just been taken over by new owners. South African couple, Willie and Ilze Opperman made the move across the ocean after recently selling their successful franchise in the Eastern Cape.

Having already been with the well-known family dining chain for over ten years running their franchise in South Africa, they will be bringing a wealth of knowledge and enthusiasm with them and are looking forward to settling into the Norfolk region.

“With my restaurant experience and belief in the brand, I am confident we can continue to deliver the Wimpy philosophy to both loyal and new customers in Kings Lynn. We’re raring to go, keen to meet our local community and can’t wait to get stuck in to serving the British favourites – Knickerbocker Glories, Brown Derbies – Wimpy’s signature doughnut and ice cream pudding, and burgers,” explains Willie.

“We’ve got a fantastic opportunity to work with the Kings Lynn team and build upon the success since Wimpy opened its doors on the high street.”

Darren Hele, Wimpy managing director says: “We are delighted to have Willie and Ilze joining the Wimpy family and it is a compliment to us that they have seen fit to invest in the revival of the brand in the UK. Knowing what they can deliver from their South African experience they will not only be a great asset to Wimpy, but to the Kings Lynn community as a whole.”

Although the Opperman’s are really ambitious and keen to expand and own multiple sites beyond Norfolk, for now they are concentrating on a smooth transition period and continuing the success of the Kings Lynn restaurant.

With increased investment, Wimpy restaurants across the land will be getting a facelift to make them even more popular with their customers. This new look brings it in line with Wimpy’s new global corporate identity, a result of the acquisition by the South African company Famous Brands Limited in March 2007.  These changes see the restaurants return to the famous original red and white logo, new additions to the menu and an improved dining experience.

ENDS
Press enquiries and image requests to:
Tangerine PR
Natalie Yaffe/Niki Duncan Tel 0161 817 6600
natalie.yaffe@tangerinepr.com/niki.duncan@tangerinepr.com

Notes for Editors

• The Wimpy brand was born out of the Lyons tea rooms. The first tea room opened in Piccadilly in 1894 and the first Corner House in 1909. The company expanded to become an important part of the British High street
• In 1954 Lyons opened a new restaurant format ‘Wimpy’ Bars. The format was a huge success and had soon outstripped Lyons as the predominant brand
• By the early 1970s the business had expanded to over a thousand restaurants in 23 countries
• In 1989 many of the Wimpy restaurants across the UK were rebranded as Burger King. The remaining Wimpy restaurants were mostly differentiated by offering table service
• Earlier in 2007, Famous Brands Limited - which own the Wimpy brand in South Africa representing a network in excess of 450 franchised restaurants - purchased the UK business

In October 2007 Wimpy unveiled its iconography, footprint and imagery for the consumer experience at a new Wimpy restaurant in Benfleet, Essex

Wimpy Shoeburyness Crowned 'Wimpy of the Year'

Wimpy Shoeburyness has been awarded ‘Wimpy of the Year’ at the company’s ‘Power of Pride’ awards, which saw 178 franchises compete against each other from across the UK. The restaurant triumphed against fierce competition following a comprehensive audit, hygiene check and feedback from mystery shoppers.

Awarded the prestigious title of ‘Wimpy of the Year,’ franchise partners Altan and Natalie Ali were delighted to be recognised for their success and hard work. Comments Altan Ali, “We take great pride in maintaining high standards in our Shoeburyness restaurant and we’re extremely proud to be labelled the best in the UK! This not only encourages us to continue doing a great job but also ultimately benefits our customers too.

“We’re noticing some real benefits now that South African company Famous Brands Ltd is leading the Wimpy corporate identity revamp. Wimpy is receiving a real face-lift, with additions to the menu and an overall improved dining experience for our customers. With these new developments, we’re hoping our other site in Westcliff will soon be on a par with the Shoeburyness restaurant and a real contender for the prestigious award next year!”

Commenting on the success of the Wimpy Shoeburyness Franchise, Wimpy managing director Darren Hele says, “We feel extremely privileged to be associated with franchise partners such as Altan and Natalie Ali. Not only do they run a successful business at an extremely high standard, they stop at nothing to please their customers day in and day out. They are truly deserved winners of this award.”

ENDS
Press enquiries and image requests to:
Tangerine PR
Natalie Yaffe/Niki Duncan Tel 0161 817 6600
natalie.yaffe@tangerinepr.com/niki.duncan@tangerinepr.com

Notes for Editors

• The Wimpy brand was born out of the Lyons tea rooms. The first tea room opened in Piccadilly in 1894 and the first Corner House in 1909. The company expanded to become an important part of the British High street
• In 1954 Lyons opened a new restaurant format ‘Wimpy’ Bars. The format was a huge success and had soon outstripped Lyons as the predominant brand
• By the early 1970s the business had expanded to over a thousand restaurants in 23 countries
• In 1989 many of the Wimpy restaurants across the UK were rebranded as Burger King. The remaining Wimpy restaurants were mostly differentiated by offering table service
• Earlier in 2007, Famous Brands Limited - which own the Wimpy brand in South Africa representing a network in excess of 450 franchised restaurants - purchased the UK business

In October 2007 Wimpy unveiled its iconography, footprint and imagery for the consumer experience at a new Wimpy restaurant in Benfleet, Essex