Western Bureau:
Ian Dear, chief executive officer of Island Entertainment Brands (IEB), has revealed that in the next 45 days, construction will begin on Margaritaville Falmouth and will be the company’s most innovative Margaritaville location to date as it will incorporate a pirate ship with a pool, a water slide, a zip- line feature and a Jacuzzi.
“We expect to invest approximately US$10 million to support our growth plans in the short term. However, as soon as we execute all our current plans, we will then focus on developing a new location in an island each year for the next three to five years,” Dear added.
Margaritaville is expected to introduce iPad menus, video walls, hologram technology, along with the most innovative equipment for their bars and kitchens in all locations in the next year.
Also, transportation hubs have become a huge part of the IEB business model that has begun to pay huge dividends as the company seeks to increase to 48 venues by 2013 across the Caribbean.
“Our core concept has always been Margaritaville and to ensure its growth. In an effort to move our business forward, we are now more focused on transportation hubs (airports and cruise terminals). We now have 26 multifaceted venues across Jamaica, Grand Cayman and Grand Turk and we plan to increase that figure to 48 venues by the first quarter of 2013,” Dear revealed.
EMPLOYEES REGOGNISED
He was speaking at the IEB annual awards ceremony held at Secrets Resorts and Spas last Friday. Some 12 employees received awards at the function for manager of the year, employee of the year, chef of the year and support staff of the year.
IEB, whose brands include Margaritaville, Marguerites, and Blue Beat, have partnered with several international franchises such as Nathan’s Hot Dogs, Aunty Anne’s Pretzels, Quiznos and Cinnabon. Dairy Queen, and Grill and Chill will soon be a part of the brands under their portfolio.
“It is critical that we also embrace the cultures that these new brands represent as they will also quickly become a considerable part of our future. Such diversification has paid off as despite the hard economic times, we have maintained stability in a competitive landscape,” Dear further underscored.
sheena.gayle@gleanerjm.com
You must log in to post a comment.