— 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 …
From The Magazine
— 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 …
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 …
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 …
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. Businesses and industries avoid this problematic chain reaction, maintain their good reputations and provide clean, safe environments by calling on New Pig. Based in Tipton, Pennsylvania, New Pig serves the United States (and its federal government) as well as more than 100 other countries providing solutions such as spill kits, …
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 — want a new look for their physical spaces, they have but one call to make. Commercial construction and facility maintenance firm BrandPoint Services specializes in a start-to-finish remodeling experience that keeps brands looking fresh in the marketplace. BrandPoint becomes a trusted partner through expertise that can simply freshen up a …