— By Katie Lee — At Mamoun’s Falafel, it’s one big, happy (growing) family — with over 40 new franchises soon to join the fold. As one of the oldest falafel restaurants in New York City, Mamoun’s Falafel has long held the title of being the most authentic and flavorful falafel in the city. The first location opened in Greenwich Village in 1971 and has been family owned and operated for over 45 years. Founder Mamoun Chater, who had emigrated from Damascus, Syria, had little time for the …
Cover Story
— Interview by Katie Lee — At Blink Fitness, it’s not just another gym — it’s a better approach to customers, to franchisees and to facility operations overall. As Thomas Flaherty of Blink Fitness likes to say: “There’s always a better way for everything. Find it!” In Blink, the founders seem to have created that “better way.” From understanding why people join gyms — because it makes them feel good — to utilizing technology to keep customers happy and labor demands low, the New York City-based concept differentiates itself …
— By Katie Lee — Pasadena, California-based Dog Haus is entering new markets through franchising and partnerships with Kitchen United and Live Nation. Dog Haus is an emerging new restaurant concept that, frankly, isn’t that new. But it is new to much of the country. Next year, the Pasadena, California-based eatery will mark its 10th anniversary as a creatively crafted hotdog joint that also offers burgers, sausages and brews. While many of its 30+ brick-and-mortar locations are 2,500-square-foot Biergartens with 24 beers on tap, a large sit-up bar, expansive …
— Interview by Katie Lee — How The Container Store’s new prototype design enhances the customer experience. When The Container Store unveils a new store prototype, you can bet it is innovative, organized, high-tech, and a completely refreshing customer experience. On those points, the Dallas-based home organization retailer does not disappoint. Two years in the making and created by FRCH NELSON in partnership with digital agency MJD Interactive, The Container Store’s next generation store mirrors individual rooms in a home, allowing customers to visualize how each room in their home, …
— By Katie Lee — Coming off its second highest expansion year to date, Freddy’s Frozen Custard & Steakburgers now eyes non-traditional venues such as colleges, stadiums and, eventually, airports. When fast-casual brand Freddy’s Frozen Custard & Steakburgers first opened in Wichita, Kansas, in 2002, its co-founders never intended to open a second. Scott Redler, along with brothers Bill and Randy Simon, simply missed frozen custard — a treat they remembered from their childhoods. The Simon brothers named the restaurant after their father, Freddy, who had always wanted …
Skechers grows its brand by growing its physical retail presence — from 1,000 stores 5 years ago to more than 3,000 today. — By Katie Lee — Grow. From its store count and sales to expanding corporate headquarters, grow is what Skechers does best, regardless of physical retail climate, regardless of industry trends. In 1992, when Robert and Michael Greenberg (father and son, respectively) launched a new footwear brand inside a small beach house in Manhattan Beach, California, little did they dream that by 2010 — during a recession, no …
While developers might take a decade to plan, design and build a project, how many technological changes take place in that time? Here’s how Urban-X Group has been planning for almost a decade with its River Landing Shops & Residences, to open in 2020 in Miami. — By Katie Lee — Trends and technology tend to burst on the scene, evolve and grow with ferocious speed — often faster than you can plan for them. While an entire rideshare industry has been born and boomed within just the last decade …
For its guests and its team members, Del Taco is in the early stages of delivering a new look and brand refresh. — By Katie Lee — When Southern California-based Del Taco recently launched a brand refresh that puts a more modern emphasis on its value, freshness and heightened hospitality, it embarked on several back-of-house and guest-facing initiatives that, yes, better serve its guests — but also better serve (and inspire) its team members. “When people think about innovation, they tend to think just consumer-facing,” says Chad Gretzema, senior vice …
The ‘retail-tainment’ venue creates a golfing and gaming experience that makes socializing a sport. — Interview by Katie Lee — Golf is generally a quiet, solo sport. Topgolf turns that conventional wisdom upside down with a large, world-class entertainment destination that brings golf to players of all ages and skill levels — and brings those players together for a fun, rowdy time with friends, family, food and drinks. With 50+ locations open worldwide and up to 10 new venues planned in 2019, the retail/restaurant concept is a leader in the …
Dallas-based MUTTS Canine Cantina brings a unique concept to unique real estate spaces. — By Katie Lee — Imagine the coolest dog park and the coolest dog-friendly restaurant — together in one place. Like a beer garden with your dog. Or a dog park with adult beverages. Then, imagine no more because it actually exists. MUTTS Canine Cantina is an innovative new concept from Dallas-based FreeRange Concepts, led by co-founders Kyle Noonan (left) and Josh Sepkowitz (right), with two locations in Dallas and Fort Worth, Texas. With over 100 franchisee …