Coyote Ugly continues its world-wide expansion, focused on bringing the global brand to every market across the globe, says Justin Livingston
Over 25 years after owner and founder Liliana Lovell started the small bar in New York City, Coyote Ugly continues to expand its global footprint with new bar openings and new franchise relationships. In the early 90’s, Lovell never imagined she was on to something that would be such a huge, world-wide success.
In the beginning, the New York City bar scene, like most bar scenes across the globe, was dominated by male bartenders and most bars had an offering undistinguishable from the bar next door. It was in that mundane, ordinary nightlife scene that Lovell saw opportunity.
“I think women want to feel empowered and that idea has translated well in other markets. Empowering women to be the now world-famous Coyotes was the inspiration to do something new and bold” says Lovell. It was time to shake things up and continue down the path that Lovell had developed a reputation for with her antics on the bar as well as behind it.
This shift in thinking led to a small new bar in the East Village of NYC called Coyote Ugly. From that bar, now in operation for over 25 years, a culture was born. A culture of fun, few limits, empowered women on and behind the bar, and a party unlike any other that embraces and involves the customers in the constant celebration.
Today, Coyote Ugly continues to bring their unique style of business to markets across the world.
With expansion at the forefront of the brand, Coyote Ugly continues to open and operate corporate owned bars in the USA while seeking new franchise partners outside of the US. “It’s unique to have such a large, well-known, powerhouse brand like Coyote Ugly still available in major markets as a franchise opportunity.” says Justin Livingston, VP of Global Development for the brand.
“We put a lot of time and energy into translating the concept to other countries and cultures, deciding what our non-negotiables were and what we were willing to localize. At the heart of the Coyote Ugly culture is a focus on fun, customer engagement, independent and empowered female bartenders, and a party atmosphere and that has translated so well into other cultures,” says Livingston.
Amazing bartenders
Coyote Ugly currently operates in seven countries and that list continues to grow. Booze + girls = money seems to be a language spoken all over the world and the party continues to spread. “All human cultures share the same desires to socialize and connect with one another. With Coyote Ugly, you can do that while being entertained by the most amazing bartenders in the industry, which is an experience today’s customer are demanding,” says Lee Killingsworth, Chief Creative Officer for the brand.
International expansion is no easy task. Coyote Ugly has systems and processes developed by over 25 years of operations and pioneering the industry. Behind the systems is a team dedicated to exploring and understanding new cultures to tailor the brand.
“As Dorothy says in The Wizard of Oz, ‘We aren’t in Kansas anymore!’ I relish moments like eating blowfish in Tokyo, drinking fermented horse milk in Bishkek, and singing Beatles songs at the Cavern in Liverpool. I love it and love sharing these experiences with our team and family of franchisees!” says Lovell.
Maintaining brand integrity is key as the brand continues to grow. With all the craziness that a night at Coyote Ugly can bring, there is a lot of work to be done in the back of the house to create a successful business. Training, operational systems, and best-in-class support provided by the concept is how the company expands the Coyote Ugly culture while keeping the brand intact.
“The recipe for a successful expansion has two main ingredients, “says Livingston, “a total understanding of our brand and training and operational programs to help that translate that expertise to the franchise system. Also critical to our success is the patience and skill to find the right franchise partners that we believe we can set up to be successful and that will be good stewards of our brand.”
In Coyote Ugly Saloons across the world, you will find environments incorporating local music and local alcohol, but the theme and feeling is the same. “One example of a difference is a lot more dancing on the floor in some of the foreign bars based on cultural preference. Every market is a little different,” says Lovell.
The world is a big place and Coyote Ugly shows no slowing down in their pursuit to bring the boot-stomping, rowdy, country-themed party to markets and cultures in every corner of the globe. “We’re taking the most famous bar brand in the world and offering not only the power and history of the brand, but a support and training franchise program unparalleled in franchising setting up the right franchisees for amazing success!” says Livingston.
Franchise candidates who are hands-on, have a deep understand of their local market and commit to follow Coyote Ugly’s franchise system are those who are most likely to become key players in the bar and nightclub retail sector.
World-wide legend
The total investment in a Coyote Ugly Saloon franchise is between $500,000USD and $1,500,000USD dependent on location/market, size, and condition of the unit. Single, multi-unit, and Country Master franchise partnerships are available.
Coyote Ugly is looking to expand the brand with franchisees who embrace the culture of Coyote Ugly Saloon and share their vision of offering the Coyote Experience to the market. Owners will benefit from the history of a world-wide legend in the industry and tested business model.
Think you may have what it takes to own the Most Famous Bar on the Planet? Do you want access to the knowledge, systems, and leadership of the world leader in the Bar-Nightclub Industry? Do you want to be a part of the upcoming aggressive expansion of the Coyote Ugly Saloon Brand? If you’d like to talk about the details and see if we are a good match for each other, you should visit the website at www.coyoteuglyfranchise.com and request information to Justin Livingston, Vice President of Global Development at justin@coyoteuglyfranchise.com.
