0/8 Seafood Grill and Twisted Cork Wine Bar at the Hyatt Regency Hotel in downtown Bellevue. The concept is seafood tapas, champagne/wine lounge and nightly entertainment. We assisted in location acquisition, lease negotiation, concept direction, partnership arrangement, funding, design/construction facilitation and marketing.

The Parlor, in Lincoln Square, opened to a SRO crowd and this continues into the New Year. There are 44 billiard tables, two executive rooms and a stunning décor by Sue Genty. The beverage menu features martinis in a really big way. Ted Furst developed both the food and beverage menus, Taylor Terao hired and trained the management & staff and wrote the employee manuals and training guides. Arnold also participated in lease negotiations, funding and marketing. Don't miss it. By the way Dr. Steven Olson a recently former successful dentist has had a lifelong dream of owning and operating a really "hot" billiard parlor. His dream is now reality. He also can run the table both one and two handed.

Trader Vic's, in Lincoln Square opens March 7, 2006. It seems like the demand exceeds the supply with this concept in this location. Arnold negotiated the franchise agreement with Trader Vic's in San Francisco, participated in the fund raising and assisted with lease negotiations with the landlord, Kemper Development. Paul Reder, owner of the Tap House Grill, is the franchisee and owner/operator.

Rikki Rikki, a successful Japanese restaurant in Kirkland Park Place Mall, added a full service lounge in mid-year. Since this time the sales have increased over 20% from 2004, which was a record year for them. Arnold and Ted participated in design, construction, menu re-development, Lease negotiations, funding and marketing. Susie Bauer was the marketing maven.Very cool format.

As you may already know, the very successful Greenlake Bar & Grill acquired Sam's Steakhouse and turned it into Eastlake Bar & Grill. The new owner of the Eastlake Bar & Grill, John Schmidt (Taco Del Mar) raised the sales double digits with an aggressive marketing plan (Susie Bauer) as well as increased the level of service and décor. Don't miss the Tiki Bar on the deck this spring and summer. Congrats to John. He has really earned it.

Dragonfish Asian Café, owned by Japanese native Takao Kikuchi, completed a face lift (designed by Sue Genty) in June 2005. It includes a black concrete floor, red pendant lighting, a new Tatami room seating 20 for private events, stunning metal work and new Asian inspired art. Business is up even though there continues to be construction on Pine Street. Don't miss "Seattle's Best Happy Hour" from 4-6pm daily as well as the one from 10pm-close. It is a happening. Arnold assisted in the design. Susie in the marketing.

Renovations and Reinventions
Bite's, Asian Tapas and Wild Sushi will be opening February 13 in the former Salute location on 1st Avenue South just to the north of Safeco Stadium. It is owned by Jay Lao who has trained in some of the finest Sushi restaurants in Los Angeles and his sister Ada Lao. It is a first time venture for them similar to the owners of Dragonfish, Rikki Rikki and Tap House Grill. It will feature many Asian Tapas and Los Angeles inspired sushi that we have never seen in this market. Arnold assisted them with acquiring Salute, financing, beverage menu development, design (Sue Genty) and marketing (Susie Bauer). Taylor is hiring the management & staff, heading up the training and providing all the written documentation.

Seasoned in Seattle, one of Seattle's finest off site catering companies is acquiring Bacco Italian Bistro on 1st Avenue above the Pike Place Market. Look for a renovation and a remaking of the menu. They will serve breakfast and espresso/hand-crafted pastries, and will offer very creative soups, salads, sandwiches, and hot entrees during the lunch hour. At night time the menu will switch to Italian Tapas (small plates) and 30 wines by the glass. Andy and Kai are inventive and have proven this with their existing company. Arnold is assisting them in the acquisition, Lease negotiation, menu development, redesign and local store marketing. Expect a February opening.

Crossroads Shopping Center has been increasing their sales via remodeled facilities, new and improved menus and a strong marketing effort by director of marketing, Lynn Terpstra. We are seeing that in order to increase sales one must remain competitive in what some would say is an overcrowded marketplace. Crossroads has the distinction of a very small turnover of tenants. The turnover is not about failure but ownership wanting to do something else. CR is a true international market place and the brain child of developer and operator Ron Sher.

New Opportunities for RGI Consultants
Susie Bauer formerly the director of marketing of Billy McHale's for 15 years has become associated with RGI. She develops and implements marketing plans for a number of RGI clients. She has raised sales double digits and in a very affordable manner. Call Arnold to set up a free consultation on how she might help you increase your sales. Arnold can be reached at 206.679.1037.

John Uppinghouse of RGI has taken on a management contract for Beach Fire Grill on Whidbey Island. He is charged with increasing sales, budgets/profits, and managing the management team. It is working big time. We do other management contracts and clients are pleased. If you want to hear more about this please call Arnold at 206.679.1037.