Shop Talk: Fast food restaurants may want to look here

YAKIMA, Wash. -- People sure love putting Yakima on lists.

In the past year, Yakima has been considered the dumbest, the fattest, the best place to live, the most secure place to live and the best place to sell a home.

Yakima's now on another list for the most potential growth in fast-food restaurants.

The Yakima metropolitan area was ranked No. 1 among smaller markets in the nation, according to a study from Pitney Bowes Business Insight, a Troy, N.Y.-based company that provides customer data for retailers and restaurants.

The study was reported in QSR Magazine, a trade publication for the quick-service restaurant industry.

Pitney Bowes looked at a variety of factors, such as the current restaurant landscape and economic data (unemployment, retail sales and home prices) to determine the top 40 growth markets, broken down into 10 large, 15 medium and 15 small.

Washington state was well-represented in the top 40, with Seattle, Spokane, Wenatchee, Bellingham and Olympia all making the list.

According to the study, the Yakima Valley has a low number of fast food restaurants relative to its population. Here, there is a fast food restaurant for every 4,040 people, compared with one for every 3,152 people in Olympia. The area's relatively steady real estate market added to the appeal.

The study should not be a surprise. In just the past two years, Subway has expanded its presence in the Valley, Taco Bell opened its first Selah location and remodeled all of its stores, and Sonic and Panda Express opened on South First Street.

Local diners want more

When I posted the study on the Shop Talk blog and Facebook page, readers were eager to share what fast-food restaurants chains they want to see.

On top of the list: Chipotle Mexican Grill, a burrito and taco eatery. Its large burritos and reputation for fresh ingredients generated plenty of buzz. The Denver-based company even had McDonald's as a major investor for several years.

Not far behind was Ivar's Seafood Restaurants. Many readers believe it would be a suitable replacement for Edmonds, Wash.-based Skipper's Seafood & Chowder. (The parent company filed for bankruptcy and closed nearly all its stores four years ago, although there is still a Skipper's in Sunnyside).

Other requested fast-food outlets included Carl's Jr., In & Out Burger, Jamba Juice, Popeye's, Panera Bread and Cinnabon.

Did you notice?

* Casa Mia closed its doors Dec. 31 after six years of operation under current owner Courtney Witt.

The decision to close the Yakima Italian restaurant followed an accepted offer for the restaurant's building, which was listed for sale last month by the Olympia-based Casa Mia.

The corporation has been renting the property at 3312 W. Nob Hill Blvd. to the local franchisee. It was forced to sell the building after the passing of a business partner.

With the buyer looking to use the building for something else, Witt said it was best to close at year's end rather than deal with the accounting hassles of closing midyear.

The sale is expected to close at the end of the month, said Bob Knudson, president of the parent company. The company will then re-evaluate possibilities for a Yakima franchise.

* Yakima Craft Brewing recently opened Taproom at the Brewery.

The taproom, which is located in a 30- by 12-foot space adjacent to the brewery at 2920 River Road, will sell kegs, full imperial pints (20 ounces) and half imperial pints (10 ounces) as well as hot food items. President Jeff Winn makes it clear that the taproom is not designed to be a nighttime spot or restaurant but rather to provide a convenient way for those who want to visit the brewery area.

Head brewer Chris Swedin played a big role in the taproom's development, Winn said. Swedin brewed beer at Grant's Brewery Pub, considered the first brewpub to open since Prohibition, and also worked at Bob's Keg & Cork.

Demand was strong for a taproom and hopefully it will mean fewer interruptions in the brewing process from walk-in customers, said Winn: "The hours are structured to complement the brewery."

Hours for Yakima Craft Brewing's Taproom at the Brewery are 4-8 p.m. Mondays through Fridays and 1-10 p.m. Saturdays.

* Deli-licious Sandwich Shoppe recently opened at the former Taco Borracho space at 1510 Summitview Ave. in Yakima. The eatery's owner is Parminder Thind, owner of the building as well as several convenience stores in the Yakima Valley.

The shop, which offers a variety of sandwiches, salads and soups, is open from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.

Got a retail or restaurant tip? Want to add your two cents to the latest retail and restaurant news? Join the conversation on the Shop Talk blog (www.yakimaherald.com/shoptalk) and on Shop Talk's Facebook (www.facebook.com/shoptalkyakima) and Twitter (http://twitter.com/shoptalkexpress) pages.

* Mai Hoang's Reporter's Notebook is published Mondays in the Marketplace section. To reach her, call 509-577-7685 or e-mail mhoang@yakimaherald.com.