Owner hopes to spawn more Snappers outlets

Craig Cook has big plans for fish 'n chips in Taranaki.
Snappers, a Taranaki-developed franchise, currently has two New Plymouth outlets, but aims to boast the highest number of takeaway shops in the province.
"We're interested in Stratford and Hawera, but I reckon Oakura, Opunake and Inglewood also have potential," owner Mr Cook says. Ten Snappers outlets in Taranaki is the target, with each employing 12 staff. Then Mr Cook will look to expand outside Taranaki. First, he plans on selling management of the Fitzroy Snappers so he can concentrate on the brand's expansion. He hopes to do this within the next month.
"Over the past 18 months we've built the business up and got good numbers so it's right to take it further," he says. "I think we've got a good brand and reputation."
As for specific locations, he has a few places in mind.
"I've had a bit of a nosey and heard of a few possibilities," he says.
The two Snappers in New Plymouth currently employ 20 staff, two of whom are fulltime.
Before taking over Snappers, Mr Cook worked with the Eagle Boys pizza chain as part of a 20-year career in the takeaway industry.
Fish and chips are more difficult to profit from, he says.
"Your costs are much tighter and margins smaller," he says. "In pizza, your food costs are about 25%, but in fish and chips it is more like 45-50%.
"Fish is expensive and you should be expecting to pay $3-4 a piece, but people just don't wear that."
There are 17 fish and chips outlets in New Plymouth alone, but Mr Cook describes the industry as run down.
"Many of the shops are dark and grotty so we want to help bring fish and chips into the 21st century

SHARON MARRIS - Taranaki Monday, 21 May 2007