Braum's

[OKVision4U]

and if people didn't want the product or if they couldn't tolerate the service, then then both the line and parking lot would be relatively empty. -M

That is the saddest part of all. The consumers have always desired their products. Now, the consumer(s) has several other options w/ better customer service / better facilities / ...and clean.

[Roger S]

That is the saddest part of all. The consumers have always desired their products. Now, the consumer(s) has several other options w/ better customer service / better facilities / ...and clean.

Ok, you lost me on that one.... How is it sad that the consumer has always desired their product? I would think that would be a good thing.

Despite DQ being in the neighborhood. I have not noticed a slow down at that Braums.

[PennyQuilts]

IMO, Braums has a fabulous product but it's customer service/management varies from place to place.

Best breakfast burritos of any fast food. Their market is also just about all you need.

[OKVision4U]

Ok, you lost me on that one.... How is it sad that the consumer has always desired their product? I would think that would be a good thing.Despite DQ being in the neighborhood. I have not noticed a slow down at that Braums.

From a business model POV, you want the customer to desire your product ( or need for your products ), but you don't want to loose them to others for better customer service / better facilities / Cleaner stores. And Braum's knows this. They are so conservative / cheap that they are not willing to make any changes or enhancements

[Roger S]

From a business model POV, you want the customer to desire your product ( or need for your products ), but you don't want to loose them to others for better customer service / better facilities / Cleaner stores. And Braum's knows this. They are so conservative / cheap that they are not willing to make any changes or enhancements

But if the same desire for the product is still there.... What's the problem?

Seems like you are wanting them to fix something that's really not broke.... If their lines had gone away when the DQ opened. Then I could see the need to do something to fix that..... The lines didn't go away. The lines didn't go away when Freddie's opened on the other side of I-35 either.

Sure they could speed up their service, possibly with a loss of quality control, but then they still have the same demand with no line. Personally I would rather they take the time to cook my food or mix my shake properly than rush it out the window. And I've seen a lot of complaints on Urbanspoon about the quality control over at the DQ. I've only been there twice and had no issues but you really can't screw up a chocolate dipped cone.

[jn1780]

Some of the Freddy's I have been to haven't seen any cleaner than Braums and their are a lot of products and services that they don't even offer that Braums does. Produce, milk, bread, meat, and tubs of ice cream is a huge part of Braums business. There is enough difference in their products and services for both businesses to thrive.

DQ only has one store in the area. We will see what the business competition from there is like a few years from now if they actually build more stores.

[venture]

IMO, Braums has a fabulous product but it's customer service/management varies from place to place.

Best breakfast burritos of any fast food. Their market is also just about all you need.

Completely agree. If I ever move away it is going to be sad not having them around. I never buy milk from anyone else because it simply doesn't taste as good.

[OKVision4U]

Some of the Freddy's I have been to haven't seen any cleaner than Braums and their are a lot of products and services that they don't even offer that Braums does. Produce, milk, bread, meat, and tubs of ice cream is a huge part of Braums business. There is enough difference in their products and services for both businesses to thrive.

DQ only has one store in the area. We will see what the business competition from there is like a few years from now if they actually build more stores.

Braum's quality control / customer services / clean store is one of the "poorest" in the region. There are so many locations across this state, where to customers went across the street to the competition and never came back.

[OKVision4U]

But if the same desire for the product is still there.... What's the problem?

Seems like you are wanting them to fix something that's really not broke.... If their lines had gone away when the DQ opened. Then I could see the need to do something to fix that..... The lines didn't go away. The lines didn't go away when Freddie's opened on the other side of I-35 either.

Sure they could speed up their service, possibly with a loss of quality control, but then they still have the same demand with no line. Personally I would rather they take the time to cook my food or mix my shake properly than rush it out the window. And I've seen a lot of complaints on Urbanspoon about the quality control over at the DQ. I've only been there twice and had no issues but you really can't screw up a chocolate dipped cone.

Again, the lines at Braums are from customers experiencing "poor" customer service w/ incredibly long waits. The others are experiencing a greater demand for theirs. 2 distinct points of business.

People (previous customers) have been used to this low level of service from Braum's w/ issues. Now, Freddy's / Steak & Shake / DQ...they will move to the new guy for all the customer service issues / un-clean stores at Braum's. Yes, the demand is there, they just have a choice now.

[catch22]

You are comparing apples to oranges.

Nothing beats a Braum's shake. I can't find a shake anywhere that tastes as good. I will stand in line for a Braum's shake.

(I don't use drive thrus at all anymore)

I couldn't tell you the last time I have been to Freddy's. If I had to guess, probably around 2007 or so. Last time I was at Braum's was maybe a month ago. And I may go today now that we are talking about it.

[OKVision4U]

You are comparing apples to oranges.

Nothing beats a Braum's shake. I can't find a shake anywhere that tastes as good. I will stand in line for a Braum's shake.

(I don't use drive thrus at all anymore)

I couldn't tell you the last time I have been to Freddy's. If I had to guess, probably around 2007 or so. Last time I was at Braum's was maybe a month ago. And I may go today now that we are talking about it.

Hey Catch22, while you were standing in line for that shake at Braum's, all the other customers that were standing behind you, went to Sonic / Freddy's / Steak & Shake ( the best shake, IMO) / and now to DQ. In the 80's, Braum's was great, but the problem is this, Braum's is Still stuck in the 80's. ...cheap cheap cheap.

[catch22]

I don't like the shake at any of those places.

I like getting a large Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough shake from Braums. Especially in the summer time. I don't care if the people behind me went to Sonic, Freddy's or Steak and Shake. I prefer my Braum's shake, no matter the wait time.

[Roger S]

Hey Catch22, while you were standing in line for that shake at Braum's, all the other customers that were standing behind you, went to Sonic / Freddy's / Steak & Shake ( the best shake, IMO) / and now to DQ.

If this is true... Why are all the cars in Braum's drive-thru and parking lot still there?

It's starting to sound like you just have some kind of vendetta against Braum's when you are telling us the people have gone to these other places when I drive by there on a regular basis and see the same number of cars at the drive-thru and parking lot that I have always seen there.

[Dubya61]

I am no fan of custard as opposed to ice cream. I like Freddy's fries, though. I love the many flavors of Braums' ice cream, though.
OKVision4U, I think this is just another windmill you're tilting at and, while I applaud your tenacity and vigor, Braums need not quake.

[OKVision4U]

If this is true... Why are all the cars in Braum's drive-thru and parking lot still there?

It's starting to sound like you just have some kind of vendetta against Braum's when you are telling us the people have gone to these other places when I drive by there on a regular basis and see the same number of cars at the drive-thru and parking lot that I have always seen there.

...because they ordered Chocolate Chip, and they are out? ...they ordered a cheese burger and they are out of cheese? ...the floor is so dirty / sticky, their shoes were glued to the floor. ...they went to wash their hands in the bathroom and there is no soap or towels? ...they ordered ice cream and they are out of cones? ...they ordered a hamburger and the cook went on break? ....they ordered fries w/ their burger and the Junior High School had a band concert, so all the staff had to leave to perform in the concert?

This is just a sample, but I think you know what I'm saying if you have ever ordered ANYTHING at Braum's. ...and while waiting in the drive thru, they were waiting in line so long, they ran out of gas!

[OKVision4U]

I am no fan of custard as opposed to ice cream. I like Freddy's fries, though. I love the many flavors of Braums' ice cream, though.
OKVision4U, I think this is just another windmill you're tilting at and, while I applaud your tenacity and vigor, Braums need not quake.

Your are correct, Drew Braum has not / will not change a thing. This is their business plan. They will wait until the well runs dry and then shut their doors. Their business model is unique ( Fresh Market / Fully Integrated ) from the Farm to the store. Thus, they need a greater % of customers today to make the same margins they did in the 80's.

This is why they can't continue to lose market-share in their own back yard....but, they do everyday. ...and more Freddy's / DQ's on the way.

[venture]

I don't like the shake at any of those places.

I like getting a large Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough shake from Braums. Especially in the summer time. I don't care if the people behind me went to Sonic, Freddy's or Steak and Shake. I prefer my Braum's shake, no matter the wait time.

I honestly can't stand Sonic's ice cream for example. Their shakes/soft serve just taste as if the ice cream is nothing but a snow cone with some milk mixed in with it. The texture is terrible and the taste isn't all that great. Braums is much better plus you can be pretty creative on what to use.

Freddy's isn't terrible, but I'm not going to go out of my way to go there. I'll stop at the Custard Factory here in East Norman before I'll go to Freddy's. My only gripe with Braums is their "large" soft serve is a small or medium at most other companies.

Never have had an issue with delays or customer service at the location we go to. The store and market area are clean and never gross like your typical fast food joint. I've had one problem with an order over the last 5 years and they took care of it and comped the entire ticket - which they had no need to go that far.

[Richard at Remax]

Is Rusty's still around in Norman? I worked there in summer of 2004. Fun job. Even funnier when customers attempted the "so thick you can turn it upside down" slogan.

[SoonerDave]

Braum's isn't the least big concerned about Freddy's, as they are only partially overlapping competitiors....Braum's has their own market/grocery component, and the last time I checked, no one is standing in line to buy milk at Freddie's.

As someone else rightly noted, just another windmill du jour.

[Plutonic Panda]

Braum's actually has been investing tons of money into their new Braum's Fresh Market stores and they are very nice. It will take time to renovate their stores, but Braum's is expanding and big time. Braum's is a great service and serves the best damn shake I've ever had. I have talked with Drew Braum and he is a great guy who is doing great things. He loves Oklahoma as much as you or me and wants to build the best quality stores he can. The thing is, you have apparently never owned and operated a business anywhere near the size of Braum's. It is not just as easy as saying, hey, here is $10 million, go renovate all the stores.

[OKVision4U]

Braum's isn't the least big concerned about Freddy's, as they are only partially overlapping competitiors....Braum's has their own market/grocery component, and the last time I checked, no one is standing in line to buy milk at Freddie's.

As someone else rightly noted, just another windmill du jour.

SD, That overlapping % would be greater than 65% of their product offering! Maybe you haven't been inside a Braum's store before, maybe you are still waiting for your order at the drive thru... waiting, waiting, waiting.

SD, and Braum's has very good milk and worth the trip. But, Braums can't survive on JUST MILK. This is a regional company that has enjoyed ( lack of competition ) previously. Now, they have plenty. I'm not saying the ice cream doesn't taste good or the milk isn't good, or the eggs aren't good, but from a Business POV, they are in trouble. ...If they were a "public" company, the stock would be falling, and falling.

[venture]

Is Rusty's still around in Norman? I worked there in summer of 2004. Fun job. Even funnier when customers attempted the "so thick you can turn it upside down" slogan.

There was drama with it. The owner and the wife got divorced. Wife took the Main Street (west Norman) location and the original owner took the Alameda (east Norman) location. West Norman location was shut down due to tax problems I think, or it might have been health code violations. The Alameda location now operates as the "Custard Factory" so they aren't associated with the old Rusty's name. Still my preferred place to go and they are always great.

[MsDarkstar]

I have mixed feelings about Braum's and have for a long time. I really like their breakfast, it's like going to Grandma's for a big Sunday brunch. I prefer their ice cream over any of the other places around because I don't care for soft serve that much & you just can't beat their rocky road or mint chocolate chip (although I would take Marble Slab/Coldstone over Braum's if they were as convenient to me as Braum's is). Having said that, I still don't go to Braum's very often and it's been at least a year since I last had a burger from there. I think their burgers would be pretty good if it weren't for stale buns but what gets me most is the consistently rude employees and the filthy appearance of so many of them. It just turns my stomach when the person hands me my change & their hands are filthy, or when the person that hands me the food has such dirty hands they leave fingerprints on the cups. Ick. Soooooooo yeah. I'll go there for breakfast or ice cream, the staff is rude & dirty and I'll get grossed out, won't go there for ages then I'll think eh, I'll give them another shot - and so it goes, all over again.

[Garin]

Why does Braum's not have a location in Tuttle?

[OKVision4U]

Braum's actually has been investing tons of money into their new Braum's Fresh Market stores and they are very nice. It will take time to renovate their stores, but Braum's is expanding and big time. Braum's is a great service and serves the best damn shake I've ever had. I have talked with Drew Braum and he is a great guy who is doing great things. He loves Oklahoma as much as you or me and wants to build the best quality stores he can. The thing is, you have apparently never owned and operated a business anywhere near the size of Braum's. It is not just as easy as saying, hey, here is $10 million, go renovate all the stores.

Panda, you are correct. It will take far more than $10M to get things in order. It's not just the stores, that is just part of the story. The Brand needs help. The C-execs should be released and replaced w/ the QT group. They know how to run a tight ship / efficient / profitable / and High Customer Service at the store level. ...they get it.

It would take several things to increase their market-share again. They may not know how, or they don't care to.