Steak Escape Signs Mega Store Deal

Steak Escape®, America's Favorite Cheesesteak, has just signed one of the largest development agreements in the history of American franchising. The deal is a joint venture with Charles Monfort vice chairman and one of the founders of the Colorado Rockies baseball team, and Giesen Restaurant Enterprises, LLC, owned by David Giesen.

The plan calls for 100 stores to be opened in Colorado and California within the next 10 years. New units will be developed in Denver, San Francisco County, San Mateo County, Orange County, and Los Angeles County.

In February of this year, Monfort opened his first Steak Escape restaurant in his hometown of Greeley, Colorado. Giesen owns and operates six Steak Escape restaurants, including the system's highest grossing store in the Denver International Airport. Prior to the 100-unit deal, Giesen Enterprises already had several Steak Escape restaurants under development in San Francisco Center and Mission Viejo Mall in California and Flatiron Crossing in Broomfield, Colorado.

In addition to being a big booster of baseball, Monfort has a very strong background in the beef industry. His family operated a major cattle-feeding operation for three generations and introduced fabrication of beef products in 1959. Monfort became president of Monfort International Sales Corporation in 1988 and under his guidance the corporation became one of the largest beef exporters in the world, and the leading exporter of beef products to Asia.

Steak Escape features a genuine grilled Philadelphia Cheesesteak sandwich prepared to order in full view of customers. They also serve fresh grilled salads as well as ham, turkey, and chicken sandwiches with exclusive "Smashed Potatoes," Freshly cut French Fries, and Freshly-Squeezed Lemonade. Each restaurant is designed so customers can enjoy interaction with the staff while their food is being prepared to order.

Steak Escape was originally developed in 1982 by Ken Smith and Mark Turner, two natives of the east coast, who were quick to realize that the Philadelphia cheesesteak has a broad appeal. Today there are more than 150 franchised Steak Escape units in traditional as well as non-traditional locations in malls, airports, college campuses, convenience stores, and strip centers in 29 states. In fact, Steak Escape`s expansion has now included not only the US, but also the Middle and the Far East as well.