Former CPK chief Trojan finds new home at House of Blues

Nation's Restaurant News, Oct 14, 1996 by Milford Prewitt

"The House of Blues is a brand that is into new media, books, CDs, records, television and concerts. It's not about restaurants anymore. It's about zones of entertainment."

Tigrett added that he thinks a major shakeout is coming in the specialty-theme segment. "You look at the Hard Rock today--which is really the only brand I compete against--and it has basically become the T.G.I. Friday's of the '90s," he said. "The Hard Rock was a '60s idea whose idea was to focus on selling T-shirts, jackets and souvenirs.

"Now I'm still proud of what I created along with Peter Morton [co-founder of the Hard Rock], but you look at what's out there today and you still see companies depending for 40 and 50 percent of their volumes on T-shirts, souvenirs and caps to hit their profit goals.

"That's a '60s idea, and it has become passe. And it's my belief that in less than 10 years it's only going to be one or two players in that market and the husks and residue of all the others who failed."

Tigrett said about 20 percent of a HOB's average-unit volume of $10 million is derived from apparel or souvenirs.