Pro Food Systems adds 150 locations overnight with acquisition of Seattle-based Cooper’s Express
Pro Food Systems already serves a delicious brand of chicken in over 530 locations. Starting tomorrow that number will increase by another 150 locations – not bad for a day’s work! It is a mere coincidence that on the 15th anniversary of its first Champs Chicken location opening, Pro Food Systems is celebrating another momentous occasion in the life of the company. Today, Pro Food Systems is announcing the acquisition of the Cooper’s Express, a second strong chicken brand that currently has over 150 quick-serve deli locations in the Northwest US with more on the horizon.
“What makes Cooper’s Express a win for C-stores and supermarkets is not only the brand’s proven comfort-food appeal to consumers, but also its very low cost of entry,” says Shawn Burcham, CEO of Pro Food Systems, Inc. “Our potential customers from around the country have been asking us for a licensed program like this, so we couldn’t be more excited to expand the Cooper’s Express brand into new markets across the country.”
Champs Chicken, Pro Food Systems’ long-established brand, has locations across 32 states overall, while Cooper’s Express dominates a 2-state market for the same category in Washington and Oregon. Since the Champs Chicken brand was just starting to take hold in the Northwest, the two branded programs complement each other well geographically. More importantly, deli operators around the country working with Pro Food Systems will now have an opportunity to choose between a true franchise “business-within-a-business” program (Champs Chicken) or a quality licensed program (Cooper’s Express) , whichever one best suits the operator.
“I am so gratified that a strong player in the food service industry like Pro Food Systems would see the potential of Cooper’s Express and want to take it national,” says Bill Anderson, founder of Cooper’s Express, “My team and I are excited to help Shawn and his team at Pro Food Systems in every way we can to build and expand upon the success we established here in the Northwest.” C-store deli operators across the country will also have a reason to celebrate. The Cooper’s Express brand is well known for its retailer-friendly license agreement, free on-site training during opening week and especially outstanding profit margins. This is one anniversary that the entire team at Pro Food Systems will not soon forget.
