Do You Remember “The Soup Man” Episode in Seinfeld?
It was one of the funniest and most memorable episodes in Seinfeld’s long-running show.
Well, the Soup Man in the episode, whom they dubbed “The Soup Nazi” was based on a real character who ran his soup take-out restaurant in New York. The restaurant was screamingly successful and in an effort to make the process of ordering, waiting for, receiving the soup and leaving the restaurant in an efficient and orderly manner, the obviously frustrated owner insisted that his patrons follow his rules “or no soup”.
His fame burgeoned, naturally, after the Seinfeld episode and he has been franchising out his concept for some time. I believe it would be a great franchise opportunity for many people, though I’m not sure how well the concept could be transplanted to areas outside of New York, and where the culture changes subtly (or not so subtly). Also the memory of the Seinfeld episode must be dimming in most people’s minds, so one can’t expect to get much more mileage from that. I wonder if he has a flat screen TV in his shops re-playing the famous episode in an infinite loop?
Might be better not to.
Anyway… He is giving away a franchise…
“New York’s own The Original SoupMan, makers of the legendary soups of Al Yeganeh, who inspired the “Soup Episode” on Seinfeld, joined forces today to announce a stimulus package contest to help one lucky winner realize their dream of owning their own business. Interested applicants can apply online by submitting, in 100 words or less, their story detailing the reasons why they should be awarded ownership of a brand new Original SoupMan franchise.”
You can read the whole story here:
The Original Soup Man
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Reader Comments
This is brilliant. There isn’t one prospective franchisee out there who wouldn’t want the name recognition of The Soup Man, and with Seinfeld still successful on cable, the luster of the ‘Soup Nazi’ episode hasn’t dampened one bit. Plus the franchise itself enjoys loads of free publicity from bloggers and commenters like ourselves. Good thinking, guys!
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Investors Steaming Over ‘Soup Man’ Franchise Problems
NEW YORK — The chef who inspired the Soup Nazi character on “Seinfeld” is now irritating investors, who say he is having problems expanding his popular stand into a franchise empire.
Al Yeganeh closed his original Manhattan shop, famous for its strict ordering rules, in 2004 to focus on franchising Original SoupMan stores across the United States. The company launched around 40 stores in its first two years and introduced its frozen soups to groceries.
But disgruntled franchisees say many of the new shops did not make it through their first year, and at least eight have closed for good. Two more have shut their doors for now, although the company said it has deals in the works to reopen them.
Other franchisees told The Associated Press they want out of their contracts because of poor profits or bad relationships with the company. Several have sent the company letters threatening to sue.
A spokesman said the soup company had delayed a plan to open 50 franchises in Britain while it refined its business model.
Kevin Long, whose Original SoupMan franchise in Pennsylvania lasted just one winter, accused the company of misrepresenting how much it would cost to open and run the business.
Prices of $7 to $11 per 12-ounce bowl also made it tough to attract repeat customers, he added.
At least three stores have closed, at least temporarily, in New York City. Shops also shut in Myrtle Beach, S.C.; Harrisburg, Pa.; Boulder, Colo.; Colorado Springs, Colo.; and Ottawa, Canada.
The Original Soup Man – Denver Pavillions –
Denver Dept. of Revenue
Wednesday, June 18, 2008 10:00 AM
Very clean restaurant being sold for non-payment
2008
Street Talk
SoupMan’s Denver demise was a well-earned failure
Denver Business Journal – by Bruce Goldberg
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FlyerTalk Forums > Travel&Dining > Travel&Dining: Destination >> United States > Mid-Atlantic > New York City “The Original Soup Man” is a ripoff!
I assume this is a franchise chain allowing the Soup Nazi guy on Seinfeld to get some money for his “fame.”
Oh my… The soup thickens! No wonder he is such a grouch
This blog entry was a response to an article in the Every Franchise News section. (If you click to the location, you’ll have to scroll down a bit). The information was taken from a Press Release.
I wonder if he is the hapless victim of the consultants, brokers and advisers which are rife in this industry, or if it is a far more complicated story.
Or is it just his personality?
Does anyone have anything further to add?
Stay Away From the Soup Nazi!
For everyone’s own good…stay away from Soupman. The Soup is great. But…don’t even think of it as a good investment….unless your idea of a good investment is to lose tons of $$….like hundreds of thousands. Franchisor is a horror and phony, misrepresents cost of investment and COGS, model has never worked…price point is too high to build any loyal following that will even support the operation to a break even point. Speak to the 12+ locations that already closed and the Franchisees all lost Hundreds of thousands, filed for bankruptcy and lost their homes. Didn’t know that many closed? Maybe because the Franchisor and their soldiers don’t disclose what they are required to.
I personally think this entire concept is a pig going to get slaughtered. With soup being an easy add on to any sub or sandwich joint, the competition can easily chop into the bottom line. Yeah, its a novelty concep, but novelty doesn’t pay the rent or you and the employees. I’d stay away from this as it sounds like the next thing to go under.