By Ayanna Kirton, Staff ReporterISLAND GRILL could open a new restaurant in St. Lucia by year end or early next year if chief executive officer Thalia Lyn is convinced that the move will be in the company's interest.
The move is being made as Island Grill seeks to take advantage of the region's markets by setting up additional locations throughout the Caribbean.
"We have found a prime location there and I hope to give a conclusive answer about whether we will be opening in St. Lucia very soon," said Lyn, in an interview with the Financial Gleaner yesterday.
According to Lyn, the Island Grill brand has become highly recognisable overseas with the company receiving several requests to set up locations throughout the Caribbean. "We have managed to strengthen our financial base in Jamaica, which has given us the opportunity to expand locally and now regionally," she said.
Island Grill's expansion into the wider Caribbean will not be the company's first foray into foreign markets. In March 2001 and April 2002, two locations in Florida, United States were set up. Both stores enjoyed high sales volumes in their initial stages, comparable to those of their flagship restaurant in Twin Gates Plaza, St. Andrew.
"In Florida, customers were very enthusiastic about trying all of our menu items, which boosted our sales volumes," explained Lyn. However, because of the import costs, prices were marginally higher than the average fast food restaurant. "Our customers would end up spending more because we used a lot of Jamaican products, which gave the food a distinct Jamaican flavour," she added. "The average customer was very price sensitive, focusing more on the cost rather than quality of our food and that began to work against us."
IMPACTED DEMAND
Lyn added that the events of September 11 also impacted demand for Island Grill's products because of the reduction in the number of visitors to Fort Lauderdale area. As a result, Island Grill was forced to cease those operations.
Seeing Island Grill's withdrawal from the United States as only temporary, Lyn looks toward the expansion of her chain of "quick service" restaurants into the Caribbean with optimism.
She also hopes to capture the Trinidad, Barbados and Bahamas markets in the future with the help of other Jamaican businesses. "Island Grill is a wonderful showcase for Jamaican products," she said, explaining her alliance with companies such as Grace, Kennedy & Company and Walkerswood, which supply many of the sauces and seasonings for Island Grill's jerk chicken.
"Our main focus is to work with other Jamaican companies as we expand overseas and to maintain the company's high standards no matter where we are located," Lyn said..
