EPE unveils new Elvis Eateries in Europe

[vivaelvis]

For those of you living in these European locations it looks like you're in for a nice treat.



Elvis themed restaurants are coming to Eastern and Central Europe! Elvis Presley Enterprises Inc. has licensed the EAD International Group for the project. The restaurants, called "Elvis American Diners," will feature décor inspired by the King of Rock 'n' Roll. Possible locations include Albania, Macedonia, Serbia, Georgia, Lithuania, Latvia, Ukraine, Hungary, Slovakia, Poland, Czech Republic, Romania, Greece, Turkey and Russia.

"Elvis American Diner" is a unique restaurant concept. The artwork, food selections and music will present an American dining experience.

Two “Elvis American Diner” restaurants are currently in operation in Georgia. The first is in the National Philharmonic Building on Tbilisi’s Main Avenue and the second is in Tbilisi’s new amusement park. A third is currently under development in that city.

http://www.elvis.com/news/detail.aspx?id=5665

[Jungleroom76]

Definitely a cool looking restaurant for sure!!!

It's just a shame that these types of business ventures have to be placed outside the U.S., but that is where the money is for these types of things. Sadly, it seems that Elvis does better outside the U.S. than he does here in his own country. A perfect example...ELVIS THE CONCERT, which continues to tour overseas and sells out in almost every country it travels to. Here in the U.S....aside from the Memphis shows for the ELVIS WEEK anniversaries and an occasional appearance in New York City, the show does not tour. Why? Half-empty arenas and poor ticket sales!!

ELVIS PRESLEY'S MEMPHIS restaurant didn't even perform well aside from the anniversary weeks in January and August and had to close its doors...and that was in the man's own hometown!!! What a shame...

Needless to say, I HIGHLY DOUBT we'll ever see one of these ELVIS AMERICAN DINERS here in the U.S.

Thanks for posting the story vivaelvis...very interesting article and it will be interesting to see how the diners do!!

TCB!
Mike

[vivaelvis]

Definitely a cool looking restaurant for sure!!!

It's just a shame that these types of business ventures have to be placed outside the U.S., but that is where the money is for these types of things. Sadly, it seems that Elvis does better outside the U.S. than he does here in his own country. A perfect example...ELVIS THE CONCERT, which continues to tour overseas and sells out in almost every country it travels to. Here in the U.S....aside from the Memphis shows for the ELVIS WEEK anniversaries and an occasional appearance in New York City, the show does not tour. Why? Half-empty arenas and poor ticket sales!!

ELVIS PRESLEY'S MEMPHIS restaurant didn't even perform well aside from the anniversary weeks in January and August and had to close its doors...and that was in the man's own hometown!!! What a shame...

Needless to say, I HIGHLY DOUBT we'll ever see one of these ELVIS AMERICAN DINERS here in the U.S.

Thanks for posting the story vivaelvis...very interesting article and it will be interesting to see how the diners do!!

TCB!
Mike

I agree Mike. However, many top stars are having trouble filling arenas these days. Plus the economy is playing a big part in poor ticket sales to everything. I was watching a major league baseball game the other day and noticed at how many empty seats there were.

Back in 1997 when the show first debuted and toured there were packed houses on the US tour and some were as you mentioned half empty arenas including Market Square Arena, where Elvis played his final show. However, the Palace at Auburn Hills in Detroit was a success and a reported sellout of 23,000 in attendance.

Also, high prices and lackluster promotions play a part. EPE could do a much better job and lower the price which in return would probably lead to better ticket sales.

[Jungleroom76]

I agree Mike. However, many top stars are having trouble filling arenas these days. Plus the economy is playing a big part in poor ticket sales to everything. I was watching a major league baseball game the other day and noticed at how many empty seats there were.

Back in 1997 when the show first debuted and toured there were packed houses on the US tour and some were as you mentioned half empty arenas including Market Square Arena, where Elvis played his final show. However, the Palace at Auburn Hills in Detroit was a success and a reported sellout of 23,000 in attendance.

Also, high prices and lackluster promotions play a part. EPE could do a much better job and lower the price which in return would probably lead to better ticket sales.

Exactly right my friend!!

I had tickets to see ELVIS THE CONCERT in Syracuse, N.Y. back in the late 90's (1998 maybe?) and had 2nd row center seats which I was SUPER excited about!! Unfortunately, the show wound up being cancelled due to poor ticket sales!! And this was back when the economy wasn't nearly in the shape it is in now!! I can understand not setting up large tours in large arenas now with the economy being the way it is, and I would most certainly give EPE a pass for not scheduling tours due to the economy. But back when the show first started and the show was still not filling arenas all the time? Yes, some arenas were full to capacity as you pointed out...but still...sellouts are NEVER a problem overseas at any arena, and some of those arenas (like Wembley Stadium in London) are MUCH bigger than the arenas that ELVIS THE CONCERT plays here in the U.S., and they ALWAYS (or almost always) sellout without any problem!

One of the biggest issues here in the U.S. for lack of ticket sales for E-TC as you mentioned is lack of advertising. I live about 50 miles away from Syracuse, and there was NOT ONE piece of advertising for the show. NOT ONE!!! If I hadn't been in touch with Elvis.com and other Elvis websites, I would have never known the show was going to be there (or was scheduled to be there anyway)!!! Nothing on TV, nothing in the newspapers, nothing on the radio stations...very poorly handled to say the least!!!

I just hope that these new diners don't wind up going down the same road as E-TC...

TCB!
Mike

[Brian Quinn]

Regarding the 'Elvis In Concert' production, there have always been two main problems:

(1) Getting over to the public that it is NOT an Impersonator show (especially in the U.S.A.) and

(2) Lack of promotion.

Of course both are interlinked - without adequate promotion one cannot get across what the show is all about. It would be far better if, as suggested, EPE were to completely manage the promotion. Currently, local promoters are used in each country and most of these are only interested in one thing - MONEY!! Concerts are now announced around 12 months before they happen when newspaper advertising is usually given. The next time any advertising is given is usually around two weeks before the actual concerts. No promotion in between. Little wonder ticket sales are poor, again especially in the U.S.A.

Brian

[debtdbruno]

where's the UK restaurant?

[Brian Quinn]

This is a great business move by EPE following the rationale that the Eastern European Countries are now just beginning to have new found freedom being able to enjoy Western pleasures, including music and fast food.

I wish the venture well. Personally I do not think they are suitable for Western countries as the competition is already too strong there.

Brian