Jack in the Box Wants to Grow with Convenience

Our Grocerant Guru® was around and well-established back in 2002 when Jack in the Box tried its hand a extending its brand into the convenience store sector.  Let’s note it here right up-front Jack in the Box did not engage our team or our Grocerant Guru®.  It just might have been the reason, 7 years and millions of dollars later they withdrew.  At the time our Grocerant Guru® endorsed the move into convenience and still does.

Clearly, the team at Jack in the Box learned a lot in those 7 years.  The first thing they should have learned is that fast food customers love convenience and want more service and move convenience in their daily lives.   The team at Steven Johnson the Grocerant Guru® stated, “driving forward with incremental convenience options is the right thing to do if you are worried about the ‘VETO Vote’.  

So, how do Americans decide what to have for dinner when they want to go out to eat? The most common ways that people find somewhere to eat are on Google (76%), through word-of-mouth recommendations (64%), on Yelp (39%), and on social media (30%).

When asked where Americans get dinner, most (77%) commonly eat at home or cook for themselves. 50% say they regularly get takeout or pick up, 31% say they go to restaurants, and 3% say they use a meal subscription box. Jack in the Box is giving them a third option.  Pick-up the convenience options to complete a meal at home without another stop.  That will work according to Johnson.

Building a Larger Share of Stomach

Requires

Evolving with Relevance with Consumers

So, Jack in the Box is a perfect partner for the Convenience Store & Travel Plaza Industry with more than 2,200 locations nationwide including +90 c-store units at this time. 

Why it works at Jack in the Box:

·         Diverse 24/7 Menu with All Five Day Parts

·         Any Menu Item - Any Time of Day

·         Flexible Layouts and Store Designs

·         +90 Existing Co-Developed Spaces

 

·         Minimal C-STORE / TRAVEL PLAZA SITE REQUIREMENTS

 

·         Spacing Requirements

·         Approximately 1,350 Square Feet for Kitchen-Only with Drive-Thru

 

·         Interior Dining 

·         Additional 500-600 Square Feet for Dining Room (If Included)

 

·         Drive-Thru

·         A Drive-Thru is Required for All Convenience Store Locations

 

·         Monthly Gallonage

·         We're Looking for C-stores with a Minimum Monthly Gallonage of 125,000

 

·         Traffic Counts

·         We Target Areas with Traffic Counts of +20,000 Cars per Day

 

·         Thoroughfare Access

·         Locations with Access to Major Highways and Intersections Preferred

·         All-Day Everyday Menu

·         Our menu is based on our original approach to bold flavor fusions, variety, authenticity, attention to quality, and fresh preparation.

·         We operate in the primary food category of burgers. However, we have a unique menu with innovative items like tacos, chicken sandwiches, jumbo egg rolls, salads, and breakfast served 24 hours a day, 7 days per week.

·         Flexible Layouts & Designs

·         At Jack in the Box, our flexible construction plan gives us the ability to fit the unique needs of your c-store / travel plaza location.

·         Whether you want to build our base ~1,350 square foot kitchen-only model with a drive-thru or have the space to add interior seating, we have designs to help you maximize your space.

 

Training Provided

All our franchisees complete a 10-to-14-week training program to learn our system. Through a combination of computer-based and on-the-job training, you'll receive training on topics such as:

·         Point-of-Sale System

·         Ordering and Inventory Tracking

·         Marketing and Advertising

·         Information Technology

·         Setting and Achieving Growth Goals

By the time your training is complete, you should feel confident about operating your new restaurant.

 

Years of Marketing Insights

Jack in the Box uses an unapologetically bold strategy to advertise, market, and promote our more than 2,200 locations. We take an omnichannel approach to reach customers, create brand awareness, and drive traffic to your restaurant.

·         Custom Marketing Plans

·         Local Marketing Initiatives

·         Interactive Marketing Website

·         Digital Marketing

·         Social Media

·         Athletic Sponsorships

·         Billboards

·         Radio Advertisements

·         Customer Loyalty App

 Don’t over reach. Are you ready for some fresh ideations? Do your food marketing ideations look more like yesterday than tomorrow? Interested in learning how Foodservice Solutions® can edify your retail food brand while creating a platform for consumer convenient meal participation, differentiation and individualization?  Email us at: Steve@FoodserviceSolutions.us or visit us on our social media sites by clicking the following links: Facebook,  LinkedIn, or Twitter 

Gong cha Bubble Tea Positioned for Growth

 

The beverage sector is booming. With over 1,800 stores open, Gong cha was ranked #1 in the Tea category on Entrepreneur’s prestigious Franchise 500® list (2022); selected as a finalist for Franchise Times’ list of Top Beverage Franchises To Buy (2022); and selected as a finalist for one of the Top 10 Global Food & Drink Franchises by the Global Franchise Awards (2022). 

There is no doubt that the success of Starbucks has continued and entrepreneurs around the world are looking for new avenues of fresh food distribution within the beverage sector to drive their growth according to Steven Johnson, Grocerant Guru® at Tacoma, WA based Foodservice Solutions®.

So, Gong cha, is the world’s premier bubble tea brand. The recently announced the appointment of its new global CEO, Paul Reynish, marking the acceleration of the company’s rapid U.S. and international expansion. Reynish succeeds outgoing interim global CEO, Gong cha Founder & Chairman Martin Berry, and assumed responsibilities on July 15, 2022.

Berry will remain in his role as Gong cha Chairman. Based in Gong cha’s London headquarters, Reynish brings more than 25 years of international executive leadership experience at the world’s top food and beverage franchise companies including Dunkin’, Subway, Burger King, and Five Guys. 

Berry stated, “Paul’s extensive background in franchise operations globally, proven track record and passion for the Gong cha brand make him the ideal leader to build upon the momentum we’ve created over the past several years,” ... “We’re confident his guidance and insights will help us continue to position Gong cha as the clear category leader in the competitive global bubble tea market.”

Growing 

Larger Share of Stomach

His ability to see the ‘big picture was important, over his career Reynish has demonstrated an outstanding track record in business growth and marketing in Europe, Asia Pacific, Latin America, and North America. Most recently, Reynish was president and CEO of Five Guys International Restaurants where he oversaw the brand’s expansion, opening in 11 countries in three years. Prior to that, he served as chief marketing officer for Dunkin’ Brands in Boston, and vice president of business for Dunkin’ Brands in Japan, where he managed more than 5,000 stores across the Asia Pacific region. Prior to this, Reynish was the CEO of International Franchisees for Subway—the largest food and beverage franchise operation in the world—and has also worked in multiple global executive roles for Burger King in Europe, Asia, Australia and New Zealand. Additionally, he served as a board member of Baskin Robbins Japan and Korea for several years.

Reynish stated, “I’m very excited to be joining the Gong cha team,”. “Bubble tea is a rapidly growing sector, and with its scalable business model, innovative master franchise program, and talented management team, I believe Gong cha is uniquely positioned to become one of the world’s largest franchised brands.”

In case you not sure what bubble tea is, Bubble tea is a rapidly accelerating category in the beverage and fast casual space. As per a detailed industry analysis by Grand View Research, the global bubble tea market size is expected to achieve a compounded annual growth rate (CAGR) of 8.9% from 2020 to 2027, and nearly double in projected revenue—from $2.32 billion in 2020 to $4.25 billion by 2027—with Gong cha at the forefront of this expansion.

Despite the COVID-19 pandemic and global economic conditions, Gong cha achieved double digit sales growth in the majority of its markets worldwide in Q1 2022, and total store count rose to nearly 1,800 locations across 22 countries. Globally, Gong cha’s store count grew 17% year-over-year from 2020 to 2021. 

In the U.S., yearly store growth has nearly tripled since 2018, and 2021 openings were more than double that of 2019 and 2020. Gong cha is preparing to open its first five corporate-owned U.S. stores in the Chicagoland area in 2022—with the long-term goal of opening more than 50 throughout downtown Chicago and the surrounding suburbs. Gong cha currently has more than 160 stores across 14 states and Washington, D.C, and is projected to reach 200 stores in 18 states by the end of 2022. The brand is on track to exceed 500 U.S. stores by 2025. 

To fuel its aggressive growth goals, Gong cha employs an innovative master franchise model that allows seasoned entrepreneurs with enterprise-level experience to develop a large territory. The principals for each territory build a dynamic network of sub-franchisees, opening the door to entrepreneurship for individuals who dream of owning a business. To-date in 2022, Gong cha has signed three new master franchisees in the U.S., awarding territory rights for the states of Louisiana, Colorado and Michigan. Together, these deals alone are projected to grow the brand’s U.S. footprint by an additional 60 stores over a period of five years. 

Gong cha’s success can be attributed to the brand’s commitment to superior quality, a simple and scalable operational model, strong corporate support for franchisees, and its master franchise model. Gong cha welcomes seasoned entrepreneurs to its family of master franchisees and is actively seeking additional master and sub-franchisees to continue its rapid growth across the U.S. For more information on these opportunities, please visit https://gongchafranchising.com/. 

For more, please visit gong-cha.com.

For international corporate presentations, regional chain presentations, educational forums, or keynotes contact: Steven Johnson Grocerant Guru® at Tacoma, WA based Foodservice Solutions.  His extensive experience as a multi-unit restaurant operator, consultant, brand / product positioning expert, and public speaking will leave success clues for all. For more information visit GrocerantGuru.com, FoodserviceSolutions.US or call 1-253-759-7869

Franchisee can drive Success for Chain Restaurants

 

There is no need to list the thousand of restaurants that have closed during the pandemic. Nor is there  a need to list all of chain restaurants that have filed for bankruptcy over the past five years. There is one question all operators need to ask themselves.  That question is: Do consumer find relevance in my restaurant or brand?

If you don’t have customer relevance, you have very little value.  Consumers are dynamic not static, they evolve, your restaurant needs to evolve with consumer or risk losing relevance, customer, sales and profits according to Steven Johnson, Grocerant Guru® at Tacoma, WA based Foodservice Solutions®.

Think about this in June of 1919 over 101 years ago A&W was founded.  It grew with customer relevance, full flavored food that was craveable. During the late 70’s and early 80’s chain leaders resorted to ‘brand protectionism’ of the status quo and things began to go south.  They were bough and sold and at the core chain restaurant leader after chain restaurant leader trying to do no harm continues with the status quo mindset.  Ok, we all know that did not work.

In August, 2020 sales at franchised A&W Restaurants grew 8.2 percent over last year, following double-digit increases in February, May, June and July. Systemwide, year-to-date same-store sales growth is at the highest level since franchisees acquired the brand in 2011. Now they did that during the pandemic when other chains were folding.  Think about that!  These A&W Franchisee are close to the consumer and moving forward with relevant messaging and branding.

A&W CEO Kevin Bazner stated,  “This is a remarkable recovery from the dark days of March and April,”. “As we head into the fall, sales at nearly two-thirds of our stand-alone restaurants are up over 2019, which was our eighth straight year of comp-store sales growth.” The majority of co-branded locations also are up over last year.

So get this, since franchisees acquired the company from YUM! Brands in 2011, average unit sales have increased by over 38 percent. According to Bazner, the brand’s performance is a key reason it was recognized by Franchise Business Review as a Top Food and Beverage Franchise for the second straight year.

A&W was just one of 35 franchise food brands to be listed by the market research firm that performs independent surveys on franchisee satisfaction. It analyzed 18 months’ worth of data from over 4,300 franchise owners representing 100 franchise brands in the food sector. A&W franchisees were surveyed on 33 benchmark questions about their experience and satisfaction regarding critical areas of their franchise systems, including training and support, operations, franchisor/franchisee relations and financial opportunity.

Bazner continued, “Being owned by franchisees, we are solely focused on their success. According to Franchise Business Review, A&W is outperforming its competitors and franchisees' expectations. “It is very rewarding to have our franchise partners rate their satisfaction with A&W so highly.”

A&W currently has 15 franchise locations in development. A new stand-alone restaurant opens early next month in Mountain Lake, Minnesota, southwest of Minneapolis-St. Paul. Who is better at listening to your consumers? That’s right, those who are closest to them. 

Known for its All American Food, fresh food and beverage including Root Beer that is made fresh in each restaurant and served in frosty mugs, there are more than 900 A&Ws in the U.S. and Asia. Keep doing what you are doing A&W franchisee.

For international corporate presentations, regional chain presentations, local educational forums, or keynotes contact: Steven Johnson Grocerant Guru® at Tacoma, WA based Foodservice Solutions.  His extensive experience as a multi-unit restaurant operator, consultant, brand / product positioning expert and public speaking will leave success clues for all. For more information visit GrocerantGuru.com, FoodserviceSolutions.US or call 1-253-759-7869

The Italian Place, Smaller Footprint for Fresh Food Fast

Many restaurateurs can’t pay the rent in a 10,000 sq. ft. building when consumers are hesitant to come in and eat dinner?  Consumers are dynamic not static and restaurant operators must be as well.  Steven Johnson, Grocerant Guru® at Tacoma, WA based Foodservice Solutions® believes “The Italian Place is evolving with consumer relevance with a sustainable business model.”

When the consumer moves, restauranteurs must move with them or risk capitulating customers according to Johnson.  The grocerant niche filled with fresh food fast has been driving customer adoption in ever sector of foodservice for the past 20 years continues to do so according to Johnson.

So, it was a natural pathway an appropriate time to evolve for The Italian Place during the COVD-19. It’s new strategy is to leverage self-serve kiosks to streamline its ordering process, maintain consistency and enhance convenience and safety for customers.

Given that The Italian Place is an emerging hot concept at the start of its franchising journey, they spent significant time and investment in technology that has empowered them to evolve faster than many legacy chains. Smaller footprints, fresh food, fast is one of key hallmarks of the grocerant niche that consumers are most fond of and The Italian Place aims to edify its brand with relevant consumer trends.

Adriana Penachio-Sifakis, founder of The Italian Place  stated “We pivoted fast, communicated with our customers, and pursued opportunities to build efficiencies and add profitability to our model,”  “We added pizza to our menu, leveraging the latest ventless technology to cook the pies in 90 seconds at more than 900 degrees, which enabled us to increase revenue and profitability over the past few months.”

New ventless technology is clearly a growth differentiator, The Italian Place is doubling down on its portable self-serve kiosks. Customers are also able to quickly review products, pairings and process their orders independently with additional payment options like Apple Pay.

Penachio-Sifakis continued “In light of what’s happening in the world today and how it has impacted folks in the food space, online ordering and self-serve kiosk ordering has made a significant difference,”. “The kiosks provide a seamless process for customers to quickly place their order in our busy and fast-paced world, and with a global pandemic, they appreciate the convenience factor even more now than ever before.”

Dan Rowe, CEO of Fransmart stated “Concepts with built-in technology are thriving and continuing to see sales growth during the COVID-19 pandemic, and emerging chains should take notice,” … “Investing in technology may seem like an unnecessary gamble for an emerging concept, but in these unprecedented times, operators are seeing first-hand how crucial it is to remain adaptable and nimble. Technology can play a key role in a concept’s ability to pivot and address changing customer behaviors.” Are you looking a customer ahead?

? Do your food marketing ideations look more like yesterday than tomorrow? Interested in learning how Foodservice Solutions® can edify your retail food brand while creating a platform for consumer convenient meal participation, differentiation and individualization?  Email us at: Steve@FoodserviceSolutions.us or visit us on our social media sites by clicking the following links: Facebook,  LinkedIn, or Twitter