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 MacGregor's
Market, a new restaurant franchise that specializes in fresh, fast
American cuisine, recently celebrated the grand opening its Doral
location in conjunction with Doral Community Council candidate's Frank
Bolaņo's fundraising event.
The fundraiser, hosted by Andre Abbate, James Carlson,
Sandra Gray, Essie Palmer-Yera, and Laura Whitten, was a success and
enjoyed by all, but it also gave MacGregor's the chance to test out
its new product.
The restaurant provided all the food for the event,
and all of those in attendance were impressed with the variety and
quality that was available.
Carlos Rodriguez, chairman and CEO of Cardel
Hospitality [which owns the Holiday Inn Miami Airport in which the
restaurant is located], was pleased with the positive response that
the new eatery received.
"MacGregor's has a quality and diversity of food
that is outstanding," he said, "it is a menu that appeals to
a lot of different people from different cultural backgrounds."
However, as Rodriguez explained, that was just one of
the reasons that Cardel decided to bring in MacGregor's.
"They also serve the highest quality of
food," he continued, "because they are associated with
Orion, a top food service company that supplies 13 restaurant brands
with their food. Finally, the technology which Orion has introduced
into the kitchen for the franchise allows tables to be turned over
very quickly."
MacGregor's is Orion's first business venture outside
of the food vending business, a move they considered a logical step
since they were already supplying so many chains with top-quality
food.
"We use innovative, creative technologies in
cooking," explained Orion Foods Executive Vice President Steven
Leipsner. "It produces the highest quality food while minimizing
the labor problems that are currently effecting the entire
industry."
But that technology comes at a cost, as he went on to
explain, as fitting the kitchen with the special equipment for a
MacGregor's cost Cardel $120,000.
"It was exactly the concept we were looking
for," Rodriguez said. "That money is well-spent--it will
deliver exactly what the customer wants."
Also, under the franchising agreement, that initial
cost is one of the only that the franchisee has to pay--there are no
royalty fees charged, and MacGregor's franchises simply have to allow
Orion to supply the food for their restaurants.
The food menu itself is diverse, relying on
traditional favorites like quesadillas, baby back ribs, and Caesar
salad, while also include innovative dishes like various panini
sandwiches and pretzerella sticks, melted mozzarella sticks mixed with
crushed pretzels and then deep fried until hot and crispy.
It is also reasonable--appetizers range from $5.49 to
$7.99, salads from $2.99 to $6.29, and entrees stay below $11.99.
Rodriguez said that as Cardel began seeking feedback
from its guests, it became clear that foodservice was really the only
area in which they were dissatisfied.
"We have a time-conscious consumer here," he
said. "They want value and quality, but they don't want to spend
a lot of time sitting down to a meal. By partnering with MacGregor's
we are addressing the concerns our guests--we have received the
highest marks across the board with the exception of our
restaurants."
MacGregor's Market is located in the lobby of the
Holiday Inn Miami Airport West, 3265 NW 87 Avenue, and is open seven
days from 11 AM to 2 PM and 5 PM to 10:30 PM.
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