Bob Evans Ramps Up Remodel Schedule, Puts Mimi’s Under Review

The to-do menu at Bob Evans Restaurants is on overdrive. The company is speeding up its Bob Evans’ store-remodeling program, known as “Farm Fresh Refresh” and will complete re-dos of all 565 units by the first half of 2014. That’s a year ahead of schedule. Forty-five stores were revamped during the recent fiscal ’13 second-quarter ending Oct. 26. The remodeled Bob Evans stores are selling 5% more in their first year—partly because of new bakery and carryout operations, CFO Paul DeSantis told analysts during a recent conference call. By the end of fiscal ’13, 56% of the chain is expected to be remodeled.

In addition, the Columbus, Ohio, company indicates it might be shedding its 145-unit Mimi’s Café chain; the French-inspired casual-dining chain has stores in 24 states.

A review of the chain’s future is ongoing while Mimi’s continues attempting a sales turnaround by building up its takeout and catering businesses. The company will remodel three stores in fiscal ‘13 but does not plan to build any new units.