Cover Story

Speaking to the Next Generation

by Katie Lee January 4, 2022

— By Katie Lee — KFC eyes 2022 with a new, urban-oriented evolution of its prototype design, focused on customer convenience and digital efficiency. When Retail & Restaurant Facility Business last featured KFC on its cover, the year was 2018 and a new design called ‘American Showman’ was rolling out, marking a new era of expansion for KFC following 10 years of downsizing. At the time, the company’s U.S. development goal was to become a 5,000-unit franchise once more. Now, 3 years and a global pandemic later, …

January 4, 2022

Cover Story From The Magazine retailers

Power Play

by Katie Lee November 29, 2021

— By Katie Lee — Powering through the pandemic, Batteries Plus continues to see a boost in business through multi-unit franchising. It goes without saying just how challenging the past 18 months have been for retailers, but Batteries Plus continues to power through. The Hartland, Wisconsin-based franchisor of 700+ stores stayed open, remained fully stocked, and offered stability and support infrastructure for its franchisees throughout the pandemic. Now with a renewed focus on signing multi-unit operators, Batteries Plus plans to open 30 new stores this year and …

November 29, 2021

construction and design Cover Story From The Magazine restaurants

Change In The Air

by Katie Lee November 4, 2021

— Interview with Tana Davila — Upgrades to P.F. Chang’s ambiance, design and decor drive traffic and sales — even during the pandemic. This month [September 2021], P.F. Chang’s opened a new flagship in Hawaii, following a 6-month renovation to upgrade its design, decor and ambiance to flagship level. The new look is part of P.F. Chang’s overall brand refresh currently underway. The company is on track to refresh all U.S. restaurants by the end of next year. Editor Katie Lee recently interviewed P.F. Chang’s marketing chief, Tana Davila, …

November 4, 2021

Cover Story franchise development From The Magazine retailers

Dog Days

by Katie Lee October 4, 2021

— Interview with Neil Gill — As the leader in dog daycare, Dogtopia is on track to open 50 new locations this year through robust retail franchising and a business model that focuses on overall wellness — for the dogs and their humans. As the saying goes, “Pets are people too.” And lucky are the dogs who get to experience day care at Phoenix-based Dogtopia, which currently operates 166 locations across 35 U.S. states and five Canadian provinces. During the height of the pandemic in 2020, when …

October 4, 2021

Cover Story From The Magazine restaurants

Convenience Through COVID

by Katie Lee August 19, 2021

— By Katie Lee — Farmer Boys marks its 40th anniversary with a new post-pandemic appreciation for quality and convenience. As Farmer Boys celebrates its 40th anniversary this year, the Riverside, California-based fast-casual concept recalls a memorable, milestone 2020 in which it opened four new restaurants, entered a new state (Arizona) and saw its total systemwide sales increase by $17 million — all during a global pandemic. Also in summer 2020, Farmer Boys’ senior vice president of operations transitioned to president and chief operating officer — during perhaps the …

August 19, 2021

Cover Story From The Magazine retailers

Pet Project

by Katie Lee June 21, 2021

— By Katie Lee — How Cincinnati-based boutique retailer, Pet Wants, is both a growing cause and a growing company. We’ve heard all about the pandemic’s doom-and-gloom effect on retail, but 2020 actually ended up being a boon to the pet industry. As record numbers of people in quarantine opened their homes to four-legged friends, pet stores continued to be essential businesses in high demand. What a pet needs and what a pet wants are embodied in an up-and-coming Cincinnati-based retailer, Pet Wants, a boutique franchise of high-quality pet …

June 21, 2021

Cover Story From The Magazine remodels restaurants

Modern Visionary

by Katie Lee June 1, 2021

— Interview by Katie Lee — Burger King unveils a new visual design for a bold, modern future. When Burger King, one of the founding titans of the fast food hamburger industry since 1954, creates a completely new visual design, it definitely makes waves. The more modern look is the company’s first total rebrand in over 20 years. As part of the new look, BK® is rolling out a new logo (the current logo was launched in 1999), menu boards, crew uniforms, signage and décor, as well as social …

June 1, 2021

Cover Story franchise development From The Magazine retailers

Supplies & Demand

by Katie Lee May 3, 2021

— Interview by Katie Lee — Demand for pets — and pet supplies — soared during the pandemic. Here’s how Pet Supplies Plus is meeting the moment. Raise your hand if you adopted a new pet during the pandemic! If you’re like many Americans, you took advantage of the extra time at home, and not traveling, to bond with a new four-legged friend — and you needed pet supplies. The pet industry boomed over the past 12 months, and Pet Supplies Plus (PSP) is the first to …

May 3, 2021

construction and design Cover Story From The Magazine remodels restaurants

Driving Force

by Katie Lee March 25, 2021

Just in time for its 50th anniversary, Schlotzsky’s rolls out two new prototypes with plans to build on lessons learned during COVID-19. — By Katie Lee — At Schlotzsky’s, the drive-thru has always been a driving force of its business. Eighty-five percent of its 339 locations already had a drive-thru — often with double lanes — and this positioned the sandwich chain well when COVID-19 changed the world in early 2020. Schlotzsky’s already understood customers’ evolving needs — and the pandemic accelerated that evolution. Several years prior to the …

March 25, 2021

Cover Story franchise development From The Magazine retailers

Making the Cut

by Katie Lee January 28, 2021

— Interview with Greg Smith — Sport Clips Haircuts proves how essential its service is with a thriving franchise system of more than 1,800 stores and locations in all 50 states. As many of us realized very soon into the pandemic, it’s easy to argue that hair salons are essential services. Nevertheless, like other hair salons around the country, Sport Clips Haircuts was forced to close its more than 1,800 locations during the spring shutdown. By October, nearly all had reopened and, as we continue to navigate the …

January 28, 2021

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