What’s the latest news from Ugly Coyote HQ?
Coyote Ugly continues to build momentum in its expansion efforts both with corporate bars in the USA and franchise expansion outside of the US. Coyote Ugly opened bars in four countries in 2016 and has its sights set on further expansion in those countries, as well as adding additional markets around the globe to the ever-growing Coyote franchise family!
Where have you opened saloons recently?
In the past five months, we have opened world-famous Coyote Ugly brand saloons in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, Tokyo, Japan, Cardiff, Wales-UK, and most recently in Ft. Worth, Texas in the US.
These are exciting times for you?
It is exciting! Coyote Ugly is the most famous bar on the planet and it’s fun to expand our global footprint. With news of the recent back-to-back openings, a global audience has realized the possibility to take the world-famous brand to their markets and the response has been amazing. It’s exciting to see our brand translate into different countries, markets, and cultures.
What do you look for in a master franchisee?
Experience. Owning a brand name this big is not for the faint of heart. There is little ramp-up in introducing the brand to a new market. Everyone knows the Coyote Ugly brand; for example, we typically have hundreds of girls audition to be Coyotes before a new opening and we’ve been selling-out our grand opening events. Knowledge of the local laws surrounding serving liquor and keeping everyone safe is key to a successful opening and operations.
What does Ugly Coyote offer its master franchisees?
First and foremost, the brand, the name, the image, and the widely-known reputation of the Coyote Ugly culture. Franchisees enter or expand into the bar/nightclub market as the industry leader with a brand like this. Behind the fame of the brand is a well-oiled support process perfected over the past 24 years of operating and opening our own bars.
What sort of training package do you offer?
Fortune favors the prepared and educated. Our training and support process set our franchisees up for success. With extensive training for owners and managers in our corporate bars in the US, managers go back to their home markets having learned from the best in the industry and having managed an actual Coyote Ugly location. When we open a franchise location, we send out an opening team that consists of operations, choreography, management, marketing, security, Coyotes, and of course the famous woman behind it all, Lil! (Coyote Ugly founder, Liliana Lovell)
How does your high-profile help business?
It allows franchisees to achieve a much quicker ROI and decreases the startup time. Franchisees prepare for bringing a brand to market that people know from either visiting a location, seeing the movie, or both. There are expectations; people come to us knowing they can expect a party! You get locals who quickly become regulars because it’s the most fun bar in town and tourists who come in just because they know the name and want to have a good time!
How useful were the movie and CMTV series?
Huge! The movie really introduced our brand to the world. Liliana was doing some amazing things in NYC and was changing the entire industry from a bland, male bartender-dominated industry to the wild and crazy experience of Coyote Ugly. The movie, reality show, and openings of other bars took that story from NYC and made it a world-wide craze! It’s amazing talking to prospective franchisees from all corners of the globe and never having to explain who we are or what we do.
How should interested parties get in touch with you?
Call, text, message, e-mails or track us down at an opening in cities all over the world! Coyote Ugly continues aggressive global expansion and we’re looking for the perfect partners in all major markets.
Tell me about the brand’s history.
The founder and original Coyote, Liliana (Lil) Lovell, opened the first Coyote Ugly Saloon in New York City in 1993. In the late 90’s an article called The Muse of Coyote Ugly was published in GQ magazine followed by the movie in 2000 and then three seasons of a reality show. Since then, there has been steady expansion in the US and our first international bar (in Russia) in 2008. In the past two years, Coyote Ugly has set aggressive expansion plans for corporate-owned bars in the US and franchise locations in major markets around the globe.
What’s next for Ugly Coyote?
We have a t-shirt that says” Saving the world, one drink at a time.” I think that sums it up. We will leave no major market without a Coyote Ugly! We’ll continue to build the brand and most importantly, have fun operating and building our company with the best franchise family in the world!
