Dog Days
— 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…
Convenience Through COVID
— 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…
Pet Project
— 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…
Modern Visionary
— 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…
Supplies & Demand
— 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…
Driving Force
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…
Making the Cut
— 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…
Plans in Motion
— Interview with Tim Welsh, Chief Development Officer — QDOBA was already making key changes prior to the pandemic. With a variety of smaller floor plans and a revamped digital suite already in the works pre-COVID, QDOBA Mexican Eats…
Edible + Adaptable
— Interview with Patricia Perry, Vice President, Franchise Development, Edible — Edible was ready when the pandemic hit. When the pandemic hit, Edible was ready. It already had a dedicated delivery model, made possible by a robust fleet of…
Jersey Mike’s Great Ride
— By Katie Lee — Even during a pandemic, Jersey Mike’s continues to grow and evolve — adding 200 stores this year and fully funding the ongoing retrofits of its 1,800+ locations. Ten years ago, Retail & Restaurant Facility…
Experiential to E-Commerce
— By Mandy Nowels — Pivoting an experience-based brand online during quarantines and lockdowns: how The Spice & Tea Exchange quickly shifted focus from experiential to e-commerce. By April of 2020, 97% of our spice and tea specialty…
Great Food Fuels Growth
— By Katie Lee — How Slim Chickens is not only surviving — but thriving — during COVID-19. During the onset of the coronavirus pandemic, Slim Chickens was able to turn on a dime: transforming its parking lots into…
Here to Help
— Interview with Christina Cornell — The Home Depot, which remains open during COVID-19, prioritizes the safety of its employees and customers, while still getting the job done. The Home Depot is the world’s largest home improvement specialty retailer,…
Healthy Track Record
— By Katie Lee — Tropical Smoothie Cafe has opened more than 100 restaurants each year for the past 3 years — and continues to grow on pace to reach 1,000 locations by 2021. When Retail & Restaurant…
Custom Scents
— By Alex Tostado — Yankee Candle debuts its new store concept, “World Home Fragrance,” to create a personalized fragrance experience. In summer 2019, The Yankee Candle Co. Inc. and FRCH Nelson sat down to discuss how to…
PUMA Opens First North American Flagship
— By Katie Lee — With an 18,000-square-foot physical store now open in Manhattan, PUMA has created an exciting new retail experience fusing sports, fashion and technology. In August 2019, PUMA burst on the U.S. retail scene in a…
All in the Family
— 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…
Finding a Better Way
— 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…
Franchising Franks
— 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…
Design For Experience
— 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.…
Franchising Freddy’s
— 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…
Del Taco Delivers
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…
Gone to the Dogs
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.…
New Memories in the Making
FAO Schwarz, which has stood for experience for over 150 years, returns to New York with a new flagship store.…
New Pig: Safe & Clean
New Pig stays in the leak-and-spill lane so it can hyper-focus solutions and mitigate an increasingly litigious culture. By Lynn Peisner Leaks and spills create dangerous conditions. Dangerous conditions can cause injuries. Injuries can lead to litigation and bad press.…
Biscuitville Builds Business
With a rise in remodels and new Southern markets under development, North Carolina-based Biscuitville bets on new business with a fresh new look.…
Brandpoint Services: Powered by People
Retailers, restaurants and other businesses partner with BrandPoint Services for a full spectrum of remodeling and maintenance capabilities. By Lynn Peisner When retailers, restaurants — and a growing palette of other businesses, such as banks, grocery stores or healthcare —…