Tumbleweed Southwest Grill

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Tumbleweed Southwest Grill
Type Private
Founded 1975 in New Albany, Indiana
Headquarters Louisville, Kentucky, USA
Key people Mathew Higgins President and CEO
Industry Restaurants
Products Steak, Chicken, and Seafood cooked in a South West Mesquite style
Revenue 61 Million (2006)
Net income 60 Million (2006)
Website Tumbleweed Southwest Grill

Tumbleweed Southwest Grill is a chain restaurant based in Louisville, Kentucky.

Contents

[edit] History

Tumbleweed Southwest Grill serves Southwest styled foods. The original restaurant opened in 1975 in New Albany, Indiana just across the Ohio River from Louisville. George R. Keller and wife Linda started the chain across the road from New Albany High School. Then later in 1978 Linda would utilize her parents Hillside Manor restaurant and bar to turn it into a Tumbleweed. This location in Louisville became the flagship for the restaurant chain.

Shortly after the restaurant expanded to locations across the river and now operates over 60 locations[1] restaurants in Indiana, Kentucky, Ohio, Illinois, and Wisconsin[2], including company-owned and franchise locations.

In 1995 the Kellers sold the business to sixty local area investors for 9.8 million dollars and an additional 1 million in a clause not to compete against the company's new owners. The Company then became a public traded company to help fuel it's expansion in the Midwest and over seas markets. John Butorac, Jr took over as president of the company, he was also the former vice president for Chi-Chi's.[3]

In 2002, Terrance Smith, CEO of the establishment was seeking ownership of the company with two other investors.[4] However on December 18, 2007 it was reported by local media in Louisville that Terrance Smith resigned as President and CEO after seven years. Mathew Higgins will become the new President and CEO of the company. [5]Tumbleweed is the parent company of the upscale southwestern concept known as Sedona Grill. After Terry Smiths departure Tumbleweed closed the doors to the upscale theme.

[edit] Cuisine

An example of Queso.
An example of Queso.

Tumbleweed serves an American-Mexican cuisine in a combination Tex-Mex and Southwest style. They specialize in a Chili con queso.[6]

[edit] International

Tumbleweed has been expanding its market over seas with the following cities.[7]

[edit] References

  1. ^ http://www.tumbleweedrestaurants.com/index.cgi?id=21
  2. ^ http://www.tumbleweedrestaurants.com/index.cgi?id=31
  3. ^ http://books.google.com/books?id=pXbYITw4ZesC&pg=PA894&dq=Tumbleweed+Southwest+Grill&sig=vOhZNCTmWS-VtQvV_l08EoO9e3Y
  4. ^ Business & Industry: Tumbleweed Southwest Grill. (Just In) - AlacraStore.com
  5. ^ http://www.fox41.com/article/view/15495/?tf=wdrbarticleview.tpl
  6. ^ Tumbleweed Southwest Grill Menu
  7. ^ http://www.tumbleweedrestaurants.com/index.cgi?id=30
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