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Eggington's changes handsEggington's changes handsMonday, July 26, 2010 By Tim Monroe CASPER — One of the area's most popular breakfast-brunch-lunch restaurants came under new ownership this past week. Eggingtons on East Second St. in the old telephone building was sold by John Johnson of the Johnson Restaurant Group to Pete and Amber Fazio. The building remains owned by Johnson and Rich Fairservis. The always-busy restaurant has become a meeting place for a variety of breakfast items as well as luncheon menu selections. Pete Fazio is a Massachusetts native. He has been in the restaurant business all of his adult life, he said. He's currently director of operations for Applebees Restaurants in Wyoming, a job that kept him on the road visiting the company's half-dozen outlets. "We'll be very sensitive to customer preferences as we consider changes in menu selections," Fazio said. Fazio spent the first week of his ownership becoming acquainted with the 30-person staff and watching how the operation was run. He expressed admiration for the current staff. John Johnson said he's negotiating with the Old Chicago pizza corporation for a six-store franchise deal in Las Vegas. "Business is challenging in Las Vegas but we can buy distressed properties and convert them to Old Chicago restaurants for a reasonable cost," Johnson said. He's exploring financial partners and arrangements. Johnson's company already owns Old Chicago stores in Casper and Cheyenne. And, he owns the Fire Rock Steak House and a pair of Johnny J's diners in Casper, one of which recently opened on the west side of town. "Business is very good at Fire Rock and the two diners are going great," he said. "The Old Chicago stores are flat but we're still doing better than the downturn of the 1980s and that's also better than being down in sales." He said that his restaurant group will always be based in Casper since "I was born and raised here and I don't intend to sell any other properties," he said. With the sale of Eggingtons he now has about 380 employees in Casper. |
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