Wisconsin State Journal:
A successful Madison debut could be the launching pad for up to 659 MyMenu stores eventually within a 400-mile radius of Chicago.
The Canadian company opened five Madison area stores last summer in its first foray into the U.S. market. Despite the recession, Gary Decatur, president and chief operating officer of MyMenu and M&M Meats of Canada, said he’s pleased with the results.
“All of our stores right now are meeting or exceeding the goals we established for them,” he said. “We’re exceeding what we did in Canada.”
Decatur, who was in Madison this week for focus group meetings with customers, said he could not provide sales figures because the stores have been open less than a year. The company also opened three MyMenu stores last September in Fort Wayne, Ind.
MyMenu, which grew out of M&M Meat Shops in Canada, will launch a franchising system this year, Decatur said, adding that the stores will be in suburban areas and smaller strip malls.
He said MyMenu will hire two area franchise representatives who each will open two stores this year. Each franchise representative ultimately will open 50 stores. The Madison and Fort Wayne stores are company-owned.
MyMenu stores sell desserts and frozen prepared meals such as meat loaf, bacon-wrapped steaks or shepherd’s pie that can be heated in the oven or microwave. The stores are small with two rows of freezers and a counter between them.
