— 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 …
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 …
Modesto, Calif. — FoodMaxx officially welcomed shoppers to its newly renovated Oakland, Calif., store on Feb. 3. “With shoppers facing ever-tighter budgets during the pandemic, our Number 1 goal at FoodMaxx is to provide this community with the very best values, day in and day out, without sacrificing quality,” says Dean Willhite, vice president of store operations, FoodMaxx. Upon entering the store, shoppers experience FoodMaxx’s unbeatable “Wall of Value,” offering the best deals in town on grocery essentials and popular snacks. The store’s interior renovations feature the FoodMaxx warehouse-style format …
— By Jeff Rabbitt and Ruba Younan — A case study in restaurant design authenticity. The past couple of years have been marked by a shift in restaurant design towards authentic environments that reflect their surrounding context, people and culture. Rather than just great food and service, customers are increasingly drawn to places that offer experiences, connection and history. Yet not all locations are conducive to authenticity and sites boasting a rich history are indisputably advantaged. Such is the case with the renovation of 118 W. Chapman, a century-old …
Salisbury, N.C. — Food Lion has completed the $212.5 million remodel of 112 grocery stores in Virginia, West Virginia, Delaware, Pennsylvania and Maryland. The Salisbury, N.C.-based grocer hired 2,300 employees at the stores. According to a study conducted by Towson University’s Regional Economic Studies Institute, the stores will generate $360 million in economic impact. Over the next week, the locations will hold giveaways that will range from reusable shopping bags to gift cards. Each store now includes more items in the “local goodness” section, an expanded craft beer and limited …
Sugar Land, Texas — A development team by Houston-based Lionstone Investments will renovate Sugar Land Town Square, a 1.4 million-square-foot mixed-use destination located on the southwestern outskirts of Houston. Lionstone is partnering with Dallas-based creative real estate firm Rebees and Planned Community Developers on the project, which will upgrade landscaping and outdoor common areas to allow for social distancing and more public seating as part of Phase I. In addition, the team will add new signage and tenant storefronts and revamp the tenant roster to include local entrepreneurs with original …
Irving, Texas — The Michaels Companies, Inc., North America’s largest arts and crafts retail chain, recently transformed two existing hometown retail locations as part of a larger strategy to reimagine the optimal maker shopping experience. Customers in the North Texas suburbs of McKinney and Plano can expect an entirely new look and feel when they visit their local store. “At Michaels, we are here for the Maker and the launch of our new concept stores is another way we are creating a more immersive and impactful experience for them,” says …
— By Blake Callahan — Essential steps to plan for success. There are many phases of a remodel project depending on the size of the project: planning, budgeting, demolition, construction/build-back and cleanup. There’s also a great deal of questions that go with each of these phases. I’m going to focus on the ever-important budgeting aspect of the remodel phase. It’s been determined that nearly 2/3 of companies surveyed did not make expected profit and three or four large budget fails is enough to put most companies out of business. …
Austin, Texas — The first Twin Peaks restaurant in the Austin area, which originally opened in 2007, got a lift and reopened its doors with a fresh new look on March 7, 2020. Since that time, due to COVID-19 concerns, in-house diners will have to wait a little longer to enjoy the interior renovations. The restaurant remains open for to-go orders only. Twin Peaks’ restaurant renovations include an updated interior with enhanced dining areas, a modernized furniture and décor package to include all-new contemporary finishes and completely remodeled restrooms. Out …
— 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 enhance the way consumers apply fragrance in their homes. Judy Jasper, director of retail activation for The Yankee Candle Co. Inc., and Mari Miura, senior interior designer of FRCH Nelson, worked closely to roll out a new theme for the retailer, World Home Fragrance, at Natick Mall near Boston on …
