1. List representative companies with whom Hardrock Café competes? How would you position Hardrock in terms of their business focus (i.e. operational excellence, customer intimacy, or product leadership? Why? a. competitors: i. Plant Hollywood ii. The Johnny Rockets Group iii. Landry’s iv. Cleveland restaurant v. The Airplane Restaurant vi. Apple Farm in vii. Bubba Gump Shrimp Company viii. Belle of Louisville ix. Cold Spring Tavern x. Colonial Williamsburg xi. Delta King xii. Delta queen xiii. ESPN zone xiv. Rainforest Cafe xv. Union Oyster House xvi. Natchez Hardrock’s business focus: xvii. product leadership b. Why did you make this choice: i. create an experience for the customer ii. creativity of products/service (theme restaurant) iii. innovations iv. . new and changing marketing conditions v. new solutions according to customers’ preferences/customization vi. created a new product (pioneer of theme restaurants) vii. risk-oriented viii. measurement of performance and costs ix. on-going reengineering core business processes for greater effectiveness and efficiency x. higher prices (the customer doesn’t just pay for a product but also for a unique experience) xi. inspire competitors

2. What problems did Hardrock in its information management of three core business functions, namely: restaurant operations, merchandising, and financial management? How did this problem impact Hardrock’s ability to transact, manage and innovate?

Business Functions: | Information Management Issue