posted on February 01, 2006 11:32
Expotel's Lafittes Restaraunts Hit Morning Television In Phoenix and Nashville
New Orleans LA (Feb 2006) - Expotel Hospitality Vice President, Jeff Iavarone stated,"Laffite's is an ideal concept and universally accepted as a destination meal in almost any market". Corporate Food and Beverage Director Nick Aggostinelli and Iavarone agreed the next phase for the famous Lafittes is to market the concept to other ownership groups as a profitable alternative concept to the declining dining choices found in most hotels. Thus far, Lafittes has made dramatic gains in overall revenues from each hotel and now is the time to offer up the New Orleans concept to other ownership and developers of hotels.
"We have been tremendoulsy successful in our local markets with a high percentage in house capture and an equally successful audience for Lafittes that are locals where our hotels are located. It is the best of both worlds." The Expotel team is committed to growing this outlet and also continue to market the existing restaraunts agressively. Iavarone stated they have done some grass roots advertsing at the local level but determined the best way "to hit the mass audience" in a local market was through television. The Expotel group with Mr. Agostinelli's lead targeted the more informal morning news format in the Phoenix and Nashville TV markets and landed spots on the cooking segments. Both airings were overwhelmingly successful and recieved invites back to the stations. Thus far, Lafitte's has appeared on Channel 3 Good Day Arizona three times and has been a regular on air segment. Tennessee Mornings has already invited the Lafitte's team back for another airing due to the audience feedback and interest in New Orleans cuisine. "We have the ability to bring authentic New Orleans food to any market with Lafittes," said Mr. Agostinelli.
Headquartered in New Orleans, Expotel Hospitality Services, L.L.C. is a hotel management company with 12 hotels (9 owned and managed, 3 managed) operating under Hilton, Holiday Inn, Embassy Suites, Hampton Inn, Doubletree and Best Western flags as well as the historic Pontchartrain Hotel.