Blimpie Subs & Salads Selects Sharp As Authorized Point of Sale Solutions Provider
27 October 2003 - 5:24PM
PR Newswire (US)
Blimpie Subs & Salads Selects Sharp As Authorized Point of Sale
Solutions Provider MAHWAH, N.J., Oct. 27 /PRNewswire/ -- Blimpie
International, Inc. has authorized Sharp, a global technology
leader in Point of Sale (POS) management solutions, as its
authorized single-source Point of Sale solutions provider. Sharp
Electronics Corporation, the U.S. sales and marketing subsidiary of
Sharp Corporation, will equip BLIMPIE Subs & Salads(TM)
restaurants in the United States with Sharp's UP-3301 and UP-700
POS systems as well as Sharp's Intelligent Data Enterprise
management system. The accumulated POS data capture and warehousing
resulting from this combination of Sharp hardware and software will
enable BLIMPIE to consolidate reporting and services for increased
operational control at all levels of the organization. With
headquarters in Atlanta, GA, Blimpie International, Inc. is a
global franchisor of several branded quick service restaurant
concepts. The company's core brand, BLIMPIE Subs & Salads, has
grown to approximately 1,700 franchised outlets across the United
States and internationally. "Large enterprises, such as BLIMPIE,
require accurate and timely POS data to make smart business
decisions every day," said Stewart Mitchell, senior vice president,
Information Systems Group, Sharp Electronics. "Sharp's Intelligent
Data Enterprise provides an affordable, robust reporting and
management system, which will help BLIMPIE increase sales and
profitability across their entire system." "After conducting a
thorough review of competing products and services, it was clear
that Sharp offered the ideal POS systems for BLIMPIE Franchisees,"
said Brian Lane, chief financial officer, Blimpie International,
Inc. "The combination of Sharp's POS systems and Intelligent Data
Enterprise services brings the BLIMPIE organization to a whole new
level of operational and reporting efficiency. We're confident that
implementation of the Sharp solution to BLIMPIE Franchisees will
provide a pro-active approach to drive more store sales, while
reducing overall costs," he said. Sharp's reliable, intuitive and
modular UP-3301 POS system offers sophisticated hospitality
management features in a space saving design. The UP-3301's
brilliant color touch screen provides operator ease of use, while
reducing errors, and its built-in, embedded software increases
system reliability and stability. With drive-through screens that
allow viewing of the last four orders, complete tracking of combo
meals and promotions and instant recall of previous orders, the
UP-3301's powerful software streamlines operations while it helps
reduce expenses. The Sharp UP-700 offers a flat micro-motion
keyboard for spill protection, an adjustable, extra large, multi-
line backlit operator LCD display to closely monitor transaction
processing and a reliable thermal printer with graphic logo imprint
capabilities. Along with its built-in embedded software for
reliability, the UP-700 allows for credit card processing right
through the POS to significantly increase speed of service. The
Sharp Intelligent Data Enterprise is a comprehensive,
cost-effective, flexible, managed solution that allows BLIMPIE to
capture and warehouse all POS data from individual restaurant
locations for consolidated multi-unit reporting for all levels of
their enterprise. Integrating with Sharp POS terminals, restaurant
data is automatically "pushed" and backed up to a centralized data
warehouse via the Internet, so consolidated and historical
restaurant data can be viewed anytime, anywhere. Through a very
robust selection of services and reports, the Sharp Intelligent
Data Enterprise enhances the BLIMPIE operational control and
management for multi-unit operators, Franchisees and Area
Representatives. The standard Executive Information Service
provides for a "business performance dashboard" that tracks labor,
inventory costs, inventory levels, sales trends, food costing and
management alerts. Auto-generated, pre-packaged, user-friendly
reports allow for individual store review or consolidated analysis
and are based on access authorization levels. Advanced reporting
allows for drill-down capabilities and graphical analysis while
sales reports provide information to identify high-yield products
or regions and critical peak sales times. The Sharp Intelligent
Data Enterprise also identifies problem areas, providing a superior
degree of loss control while increasing the BLIMPIE operational
efficiency through improved labor and food costing. For more
information on Sharp's full line of electronic cash registers and
point of sale systems, contact the Point of Sale Division, Sharp
Electronics Corporation, Sharp Plaza, Mahwah, NJ 07430 or call
201-529-8900. For online information, visit Sharp's Web site at
http://www.sharpusa.com/. Sharp Electronics Corporation is the
Mahwah, N.J.-based marketing and sales subsidiary of Japan's Sharp
Corporation, a worldwide developer of the core technologies that
are integral to shaping the next generation of home entertainment
products, appliances, networked, multi-functional office solutions
and mobile communication and information tools. Leading brands
include AQUOS(TM) Liquid Crystal Televisions, 1-Bit(TM) audio
products, the SharpVision(R) line of projection products,
Viewcam(R) camcorders, Sharp Carousel(R) microwaves, Imager(TM)
digital multi-functional systems, the Notevision(R) line of
multi-media projectors, and the Zaurus(TM) Personal Mobile Tool.
Sharp Electronics Corporation employs approximately 2,000 people
throughout the U.S. supporting more than 50 product lines.
DATASOURCE: Sharp Electronics Corporation CONTACT: Devon Nagle of
Stanton Crenshaw Communications, +1-212-780-1900, , for Sharp
Electronics Corporation Web site: http://www.sharpusa.com/
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