"franchise" news and stories

The point of fast-food franchises is instant familiarity--every outlet serving the same food under the same sign in essentially the same building. But McDonald's has been messing with that paradigm, opening new restaurants that are hard to recognize as the home of Ronald and the Big Mac. Viva McDonald's recently opened on the Las Vegas Strip, tearing down a 25-year-old golden arches to rebuild a slick new restaurant. The arch is still there--at least one, anyway--stretched as a marquee above a row of 20-foot wide video screens. Inside, there's something of the Quonset hut design of a Chipotle, along with even more screens, all broadcasting McDonald's own in-house TV channel. You can even get a latte and use wi-fi!

Not enough change for you? How about the McDonald's with no branding at all, not even the name. In Tokyo, the fast-food megalith has opened several small restaurants named, simply, Quarter Pounder. There's not an arch in sight--the black-and-red decor looks more like a bar or nightclub and even the wrappers are redesigned, streamlined and logo-free. However, don't get your hopes up about a chic new shame-based No-I-Am-Not-a-McDonald's: The stores are open as part of a promotion for the quarter pounder, which was not previously available in Japan.

A breakfast sandwich is always a filling, satisfying way to begin the day--or, occasionally, end the night. One of the things I truly missed when I left New York City was the glory of the corner bodega breakfast sandwich. So, I'm always interested when one of the local West Coast, drive-thru, fast food franchise joints comes up with a new combo of bread, egg and cheese. The two most recent entries, Dunkin' Donuts' Egg White Turkey Sausage Flatbread Sandwich and Carl's Jr.'s Monster Breakfast Sandwich lie proudly at opposite ends of the spectrum. A clear-cut rivaly of health vs. indulgence, but what of taste?

I have a radio in my bathroom that is plugged into an outlet in the light fixture. This means that every time you turn the light on, the radio comes on as well. My friends know this about my apartment and so don't get startled when they go into use my bathroom. However, it tends to freak strangers out. This evening I went in to wash my hands and found myself standing there a full ten minutes later, although I had needed but 30 seconds to finish the task at hand.

The reason I got stuck in the bathroom? This story, playing on NPR's All Things Considered about the Great Harvest Bread Company and the people who own the franchises of the company. The main company encourages their franchises to be creative and innovation in their stores and in turn, the store owners seemed to find great satisfaction in the work that they did. If you have a few minutes, it is definitely worth a listen.

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Want to open a fast food restaurant franchise? It seems your best bet may be overseas rather than in your own town or city. Residents of Japan are lining up at newly built American franchises to get their fill of McDonald's, Krispy Kreme, and ice cream treats.

According to one report, Japan's first Krispy Kreme, which was built in December, is still drawing hour-long line ups. In the first three days of business alone the doughnut shop drew in 10,000 customers.

McDonald's, of course, is enjoying similar success - apparently selling 1.7 million Mega Macs in just four days. The four-patty burger will return to the Japanese market in April and May, and you can be sure they will be selling in record numbers again. Burger King is planning to reopen in Japan this year, and I'm sure a number of other large chain restaurants will make their way over soon.

Ironic though, that while we as North Americans are trying to slim down and are eating more and more sushi, tofu, and traditional Japanese-style meals, they are wolfing down our McBurgers and ice cream, claiming not to be satiated with their current offerings.

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Following Nicole's post about the new Dagwood sandwich restaurant, it seems only fitting to mention the recent opening of a new Earl of Sandwich restaurant in Tampa. The Orlando-based chain is operated by Lord John Montagu, the 11th Earl of Sandwich, a descendant of the 4th Earl of Sandwich (right), the British naval commander who supposedly invented meat between bread back in the 1700s. Also involved in the venture are Montagu's son Orlando and Planet Hollywood founder Gary Davis. This is the second EOS location to open since 2004, according to a recent story in the St. Pete Times (scroll down). On the menu, of course, are sandwiches, including roast beef, which was reportedly the filling of choice for the first sandwich back in 1762.