The original location of the Famous Sam's bar and grill chain has officially closed after its owner struggled with losses from the statewide smoking ban, among other financial problems.
But the corporate parent of the chain isn't quite ready to give up on the location, saying it will work with the franchisee to reopen the place or open a new Sam's nearby.
Gary Zimbler said his bar, at 4801 E. 29th St., was packed with "extremely sad" customers on its last day, June 30.
"A lot of people have been coming here a long time," he said.
Earlier last month, Zimbler said that he was having difficulty handling a drop in bar sales from his usual happy-hour crowd, which he blamed on the smoking ban, which took effect in Arizona on May 1. Many of his evening regulars are smokers, he said.
People are also reading…
Zimbler had also recently discovered that his building needs at least $80,000 in upgrades to meet city requirements. He bought the building and the business about two years ago.
Zimbler said that in light of the unexpected expense and the drop in sales, he had hoped to receive some financial assistance from Famous Sam's corporate parent, Overland Park, Kan.-based TWA Restaurant Group. He said he was forced to close because he didn't receive the desired help.
Executives of TWA Restaurant Group said they tried to help Zimbler by giving him business advice and offering to move him to another location, but they are not willing to provide him with any abatement in royalties or other financial help.
TWA Restaurant Group is "not going to abate royalties for one and not for all," said Brian Studdard, the company's chief executive.
The chain has 27 Famous Sam's locations in Arizona, 11 of them in Tucson, according to its Web site.
Nevertheless, Studdard said TWA Restaurant Group is hoping to salvage Zimbler's restaurant by encouraging him to reopen.
"We are working with the franchisee to solve the franchise issues," he said.
Studdard said the company also will continue to enforce Zimbler's franchise agreement, which requires the payment of fees and prevents Zimbler from opening a competing business in the same location.
If Zimbler doesn't reopen his bar, TWA Restaurant Group will likely add a new Famous Sam's nearby, Studdard said.
"We are trying to encourage him to (reopen), but it's a personal decision on his behalf," Studdard said.
Did you know …
Famous Sam's started as Sam's Tavern, at 4801 E. 29th St., in 1963. The chain is now a franchise owned by Overland Park, Kan.-based TWA Restaurant Group.