Waco Tribune-Herald, Texas, business update column. - Waco Tribune-Herald (Waco, TX)

Byline: Mike Copeland

Sep. 24--Have you been to Fuddruckers lately?

My family and I dropped by the other day, and we were pleasantly surprised by the new look.

We were greeted by Elvis and Marilyn Monroe on stage; mannequins, of course, but fun to look at.

The place known for its make-your-own burgers was filled with sports, movie and rock-and-roll memorabilia.

It created a nice feast for the eyes while chowing down.

Manager Larry Garcia said the remodeling lasted a week in mid-July.

Customers have responded favorably.

Waco's Fuddruckers opened in 1985 on North Valley Mills Drive. It is one of seven Texas locations owned by franchisees Don Rohde and Gene Holmes.

The Fuddruckers chain has grown to 230 locations. It recently announced it has hired The Butler Brothers, an Austin creative team, to help 'refresh its brand positioning.' 'We are reintroducing the public to our theme of fresh meat, fresh buns and building your own hamburger,' said Devonne West, spokeswoman for Fuddruckers locally.

She said a new radio ad campaign begins Monday on WACO-FM 100, while a TV blitz begins in November.

SANDERSON WORK: Many Waco-area subcontractors are getting work from the new Sanderson Farms chicken hatchery and processing plant now under construction in Waco.

Helping build the hatchery are Lochridge-Priest, Hensel Electric, Metal Roofing Experts, Korenek Group, Lindsey Contractors, Farmer Masonry, Muhl Landscape & Irrigation, Waco Glass & Mirror and Pearson Paint Shop.

The processing plant is getting an assist from Best Pest Control, D&E Builders Supply, Johnson Roofing, Lindsey Contractors, Meridian Precast & Granite, Quality Brickworks and the Waco branch of CMC Steel Fabricators.

SPORTS WEB SITE: A Web site devoted to sports and recreation in McLennan County became active last week.

It is powered by the Greater Waco Chamber of Commerce and its 'Waco We Do' program. Scott & White Health Plan is the title sponsor for two years.

'We want to be the hub, the center of all sports and recreation information in the Greater Waco area,' said Steve Smith, the chamber's senior VP for special events and Big 12 promotions.

Smith demonstrated the Web site for the media last week. He said the chamber wants local residents and visitors alike to have one-stop access to an array of information c everything from facts about the upcoming Waco High or Baylor football games to operating hours of local golf courses.

The three main components of the web site, said Smith, are titled events calendar, teams and venues/clubs/retailers.

It will not have scores. But it will be 'very link heavy,' meaning visitors can easily find scores if they want them.

The site is wacowedosports.com.

HELLO DAVE, GOODBYE MAGGIE: DoubleDave's Pizzaworks last week opened a pizzeria at Franklin Avenue and New Road, in the shopping center that includes Academy Sports & Outdoors.

Alas, Waco has lost an ice cream parlor with the closing of MaggieMoo's Ice Cream & Treatery at 109 S. New Road.

BEAUTY BRANDS: The site work and slab you may have noticed at Central Texas Marketplace is for a store called Beauty Brands.

Beauty Brands is a Kansas City-based chain that offers a salon, spa and retail superstore under one roof.

The 8,000-square-foot Waco store will employ about 30 people, including massage therapists and nail technicians.

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