North Texas dining institutions tap into media relations and local market activation expertise as they prepare for new growth
Two of North Texas’ most beloved restaurant brands announced today that they have retained Champion Management Group LLC of Addison, Texas, as their new Public Relations Agency of Record.
El Fenix and Snuffer’s Restaurant & Bar, both owned and operated by Dallas-based Firebird Restaurant Group, have joined Champion’s stable of blue-chip clients effective immediately.
“The shift of our two largest brands is based on our desire to tap into Champion’s innovative approach to local store marketing and PR activation,” said Tim Schroder, Director of Marketing & Operations Services. “We are gearing up for growth both for Snuffer’s and El Fenix, and we believe Champion is the ideal partner to see us through this critical stage.”
Firebird’s other award-winning restaurant concepts – MesoMaya and Taqueria La Ventana – will continue to be served by The Buzzell Company. “Barbara Buzzell and her team do an outstanding job for us, which is why she will continue to focus her firm’s talents on our expanding MesoMaya and La Ventana concepts,” Schroder added.
Champion is known as a “crazy cool marketing, branding and public relations agency.” Founded in 2002 by veteran marketing executive Ladd Biro, the agency has experienced substantial growth since late-2011 when Biro partnered with entrepreneur Eric Spiritas, a business development pro. In just over three years, the company has added several high-profile restaurant brands – including Raising Cane’s Chicken Fingers, CiCi’s Pizza, Texas Land & Cattle, Lone Star Steakhouse, Genghis Grill, Nestle Toll House Café, Bennigan’s, Campisi’s, Romano’s Macaroni Grill and FreeRange Concepts (The Rustic, Mutts, Bowl & Barrel), among others – to an already robust line-up of corporate and not-for profit clients. The agency’s clientele spans a wide array of industries including high tech, event production, sports and entertainment, industrial equipment and not-for-profits.
“Anyone who’s lived in North Texas for at least a few years knows how ingrained the El Fenix and Snuffer’s brands are in our local fabric,” said Biro. “We are incredibly honored that the Firebird team has entrusted their business to Champion, and we are doubly excited by the plans they have in store for the next several months and beyond. We hope to be with them all the way through El Fenix’s 100-year celebration in 2018, as well as Snuffer’s 50th in 2028!”
For more information on Champion Management, visit championmgt.com.
The iconic Snuffer’s Restaurant & Bar brand has been a Dallas institution since 1978, serving its signature menu of legendary Burgers and famous Cheddar Fries. Snuffer’s is the perfect place for guests to catch up with friends and family, watch a game or enjoy a casual happy hour after work. Open seven days a week, there are currently seven Snuffer’s restaurants, including six locations throughout North Texas and one in Victoria, TX. All are operated by Firebird Restaurant Group. For more information, visit Snuffers.com.
El Fenix was founded in 1918 by Mike Martinez, a Mexican immigrant who opened a small restaurant on the corner of Griffin Street and McKinney Avenue in Dallas. Often, at its main location in downtown Dallas, the lunchtime line of patrons spills out the front door and down Alamo Street. El Fenix is renowned as the originator of “Tex-Mex cuisine” and the restaurant’s Wednesday “Enchilada Dinner Special,” which features two cheese enchiladas, refried beans, and rice. Acquired by Firebird Restaurant Group in 2008, El Fenix was refurbished with freshened interiors and a revamped menu, while maintaining its signature core menu and products. In 2010 Nation’s Restaurant News named El Fenix one of its 50 All-American Icons, “restaurants that stole our hearts and stood the test of time.” For more information, visit ElFenix.com.
