FATZ
FATZ is a CASUAL dining restaurant chain operated by Cafe Enterprises, Inc. which is headquartered in Taylors, South Carolina. It is a regional restaurant chain with locations in South Carolina, North Carolina, Georgia, Tennessee, and Virginia. Unlike most chain restaurants, FATZ does not franchise any of its units. Rather, the company owns each location and relies on operating partners to manage and oversee the success of his or her respective restaurant. Formerly known as Fatz Cafe, FATZ changed their name to be more in line with the casual atmosphere it promotes, as well as emphasizing a “first name basis” customer approach.
History
The first FATZ opened November 1988 in a converted peach shed in Spartanburg, South Carolina with the idea to serve ample portions of food in a comfortable and friendly atmosphere.
The Menu
The main FATZ menu features chicken, pasta, steaks, ribs, and seafood. The menu also includes salads, soups, sandwiches and burgers. Specialty entrees are both traditional and new American food prepared with a twist.
The centerpiece of FATZ's menu is its "World Famous Calabash chicken," named after Calabash, North Carolina, a coastal town renowned for its distinctive style of breading and frying seafood. FATZ's chicken tenders are dipped in buttermilk and hand-bread in their very own specially seasoned breading. Their signature Poppy seed rolls are served with cinnamon butter. The siganutre Poppy Seed Rolls are produced exclusively by Southern Baking Corp. in Greer SC.
FATZ also offers an upgraded kids menu with salads as well as smaller portions of adult offerings.
The FATZ menu has been expanded to include a section of items under 550 calories called FATZ Lite Side.
Dietary restrictions
FATZ uses 100%,0 trans fat, canola oil for frying. Canola Oil is among the healthiest of cooking oils. FATZ also accommodates the dietary needs of its guests by handling special preparation requests easily.
Service & Style
Welcome to a place that feels like home, is the FATZ mantra. It refers to FATZ's non-franchised, local operating partner structure, which they believe promotes a hometown restaurant setting for its guests.
The restaurants have a lodge-like feel that features a heavy emphasis on earth tones and solid-wood furniture, low lighting, and large booths. Memorabilia and items of nostalgia that reflect the community in which the restaurant operates are usually found on the interior walls.
Locations
FATZ does not tend to place units in large metropolitan areas. There are 47 locations around the southeastern United States right now.
Awards and recognition
In 2009, FATZ was ranked on the Restaurants & Institutions magazine's 2009 "Top 400" list as one of the leading restaurant chains in the country. The annual "Top 400" list recognizes FATZ for increasing total year-over-year revenues (2007–2008), which resulted in the company jumping from #266 on the "Top 400" list to its newest position at #245.
In 2010, Bruce Dressler, Operating Partner of FATZ Irmo, was recognized by the SC Hospitality Association as one of the Stars of South Carolina's Hospitality Industry earning the Restaurant Manager of the Year award.
Community involvement
FATZ sponsors the Clemson Tigers, the South Carolina Gamecocks, and the Georgia Bulldogs. FATZ Shelby, North Carolina sponsors Gardner–Webb Runnin' Bulldogs' Club Hospitality Area during all Home Football and Men’s Basketball games.
FATZ operators also support and donate their time and resources to their communities. For example, for the past decade, the Hendersonville, North Carolina FATZ has provided kindergarten classes in town a tour of the restaurant and free meal. It’s also sponsored the annual Relay For Life dinner and assisted numerous charitable golf tournaments. In South Carolina, the FATZ Cheraw actively supports the Pee Dee Coalition’s efforts to stem domestic violence by catering dinner for the organization’s annual meeting; FATZ North Charleston provides gift certificates for the yearly military 5K run in the county; and FATZ Greenwood supplies prizes for July’s classic car cruise and participates in the annual Taste of Greenwood, furnishing Calabash chicken at cost.
In 2010, the FATZ Short Stacks for Big Change Fundraising Program helped raise over $475k in charitable contributions for individuals and charities in the communities in which the company operates.