Hot 'n Now

articleissues
expand=May 2008
refimprove=May 2008Infobox Company
name = Hot 'n Now

type = private
foundation = 1984
founder = William Van Domelen
location_city = Holt, Michigan
location_country = USA
locations = 8
area_served = Michigan, Wisconsin
key_people =
industry = Fast food
products = Hamburgers
French fries
Soft drinks
Milkshakes
Fried chicken
owner = ?
num_employees =
parent =
subsid =
homepage =

Hot 'n Now is an American fast-food restaurant chain based in Holt, Michigan. Founded in 1984, the chain grew to more than 150 locations throughout the United States at its peak. Once under the ownership of PepsiCo, the chain filed for bankruptcy in the 2004, and was then sold to STEN Corporation. As of 2008, Hot 'n Now operates seven locations in Michigan, plus one in Wisconsin.

History

Hot 'n Now was founded in Kalamazoo, Michigan in 1984 by William Van Domelencite web |url=http://www.zarcolawfirm.com/CM/News/news29.asp |title=No Quiero Taco Bell: Did new parent drive its Hot 'n Now drive-through burger chain into the ground with bad ideas, or did franchise fail to keep up? |accessdate=2008-06-13 |last=Richardson |first=James M. |date=1998-12-07 |work=Miami Daily Business Review] and began franchising activities in 1987. The chain was noted for its low prices, fast services, and no-frills restaurant designs.

By 1990, the chain operated more than 150 stores in 15 different states. That same year, it was acquired by PepsiCo, which placed operations under its Taco Bell branch.http://www.findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m3190/is_11_39/ai_n13468480 Onetime PepsiCo chain Hot 'N Now sold for $175k - Findarticles.com]

As the chain grew quickly, the quality of the product began to decline. Low-quality food products and competition from McDonald's and Burger King have been cited as reasons for Hot 'n Now's downfall.Fact|date=June 2008 In 2004 the company filed for Chapter 11 Bankruptcyhttp://www.findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m3190/is_11_39/ai_n13468480 Onetime PepsiCo chain Hot 'N Now sold for $175k - Findarticles.com] ; a year later, it was sold to [http://www.stencorporation.com/ STEN Corporation] , which also owns the Burger Time chain.

In 2001, 67 locations were still open, [http://www.rimag.com/archives/2001/02b/sr-drive-thru.asp Life in the Fast Lane] but by 2005, only 14 remained.

The majority of the chain's locations focused entirely on drive-thru service, featuring a small footprint building with a tall, slanted roof style. However, some locations were more traditional fast-food locations, complete with seating; some were also combined with gas stations. [http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_pwwi/is_200311/ai_mark1365054572 Hot Brands, Inc. Announces New Modern Store Design and Employee Image]

The chain is still operating in Michigan, with locations in Bay City, Chesterfield, Lapeer, Mount Pleasant, Roseville, Saginaw, and Sturgis; there is also one location in Marshfield, Wisconsin.Fact|date=May 2008

References

External links

* [http://www.franchiseadvantage.com/handbook/HotNNowHamburgers.ihtml About Hot 'n Now]
* [http://www.findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m3190/is_11_39/ai_n13468480 Article on Hot 'n Now's bankruptcy]