Houston Deli Chain Puts D-fw On Menu

(Friday, February 22, 2002) - A Houston company that consolidated the office-deli business in that city now is looking to take a bite out of the Metroplex market.

Murphy's Deli operations have already opened in four Dallas-area office buildings: 600 Las Colinas, Providence Towers, Millenium I and Thanksgiving Tower.

The company would like to open as many as a dozen more outlets in North Texas.

Operators are scouting Dallas-Fort Worth for additional office locations, as well as for spots in retail centers that could house the company's upscale deli concept.

Murphy's Deli has already grown to oversee 31 locations in Houston, split between office and retail locations. It plans to open another 12 there and expand into the Austin, San Antonio and Atlanta markets this year as well.

In 2001 the Houston restaurants rang up sales of $10 million.

"We offer a nice decor, an upscale sandwich shop, which goes over well in Class A office buildings," said company co-founder Laura Watts, who has a background in medical research.

She and partner Hassan Houmani, who had previously been a Blimpie sandwich shop franchisee, teamed nearly 10 years ago to debut a location on Murphy's Road in the Houston suburb of Stafford.

That site still operates, though the company since has moved away from company-owned locations to become a franchiser of the concept, which features muffalettas, hot and cold sandwiches, salads, soups and desserts.

Larger office buildings typically aren't looking for mom and pop operators -- who characterize much of the office-deli market -- but for an upscale concept with professional operators, Watts said.

A deli is considered an important amenity for a big office building, helping the building retain and recruit tenants.

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