Info

BTI: Could you give me some background on Bear Rock's history, how many locations you operate throughout the southeast, and a sense of the food and atmosphere you've created?Gary Bryant: Bear Rock Cafe is a mountain-fresh restaurant franchise that is committed to providing excellent guest dining experiences. Founded in 1997, Raleigh-based Bear Rock operates nine locations throughout North Carolina with three additional restaurants under construction. We are in negotiations to grow the franchise into South Carolina, Tennessee and Virginia by 2002.Bear Rock is devoted to providing mountains of fresh food in a warm and comfortable mountain lodge atmosphere and takes great pride in having fanatically loyal guests. Our "Yukon" interior includes stone hearth fireplaces, antler chandeliers, rustic wooden rails, canoes and other lodge decor that creates a cozy and inviting atmosphere where friends gather.BTI: What led you to select us as your communications provider? Were there special products and opportunities we offered that others could not match?Gary Bryant: Bear Rock is passionate about our guest's opinions and we believe that access to multiple feedback channels will offer our visitors the most convenient ways to communicate with us. That's where BTI enters the picture.As a comprehensive, integrated communications provider, BTI works closely with us in our efforts to provide tech-savvy feedback channels for our patrons. In this case, our guests will have the opportunity to use BTI-installed computer terminals for feedback and to connect to high-speed DSL Internet access right in the restaurant! Similar to an Aspen mountain ski lodge, we want our restaurants to be warm and comfortable with advanced technologies. This concept will be tested soon in our Raleigh, N.C. locations.BTI: When did Bear Rock become a BTI customer, and what combination of products and services does your company currently use? How do they help you grow your business?Gary Bryant: Bear Rock is a growing franchise committed to maintaining solid regional business partnerships, and we feel that BTI's services best suit our needs as we expand throughout the Southeast. Bear Rock's corporate partnership with BTI dates back to the company's inception in 1997, but I've personally been a BTI customer since the late 80's with my earlier business venture.We utilize a comprehensive package of services including long distance and local telephone service, DSL high-speed Internet, paging, and calling cards. All nine of our restaurant locations use BTI. Besides the cost savings, another major benefit is receiving one, comprehensive invoice each month instead of sorting through piles of paper. Plus, our current expansion plans mirror BTI's southeastern footprint, so it seems natural to work together!Partnering with BTI reflects Bear Rock's commitment to work with organizations in our communities. For example, we often hear that companies appreciate our corporate accounts for box lunches and party trays. We know that sometimes business does not stop for lunch - even to go to Bear Rock - so we offer corporate accounts to area businesses to cater their meetings, events and other activities.BTI: What can you tell us about Bear Rock's plans for the future?Gary Bryant: We take pride in the unique culture of the Bear Rock franchise. Our loyal guests make a stop at Bear Rock as much a part of their daily schedules as reading the newspaper. We hope the new Bear Rock locations in Chapel Hill, Charlotte and North Raleigh - each set to open by the end of 2001 - prove to be just as popular as our current locations. We hear your stomach growling when you come to Bear Rock Cafe, that's why we serve mountains of fresh food in a mountain-fresh atmosphere.