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For years, the restaurant industry has been struggling to accommodate the habits of a new, increasingly food-conscious generation of consumers. It&rsquo;s not exactly breaking news that millennials are more concerned about what they are eating than previous generations. Still, the specific consumer habits associated with that trend have proven hard to pin down. Consumers are still looking to indulge when they eat out, which is why health-food concepts&mdash;once pegged as the logical conclusion of evolving consumer demands&mdash;have remained a niche market. So how does a restaurant achieve broad appeal in an increasingly segmented marketplace? By offering control, which is exactly what<a href="https://www.thecounterfranchise.com/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=a-focus-on-customization-lets-the-counter-stand-out-from-the-burger-crowd-2706589" target="_blank" rel="nofollow" style="text-decoration:none" target="_blank"> The Counter Custom Built Burgers</a>&trade; is offering their rapidly growing customer base.

&ldquo;It&rsquo;s right there in the name,&rdquo; said Rachel Cohn, Director of Marketing for Kahala Brands&trade;, the managing company of <a href="https://1851franchise.com/thecounter" target="_blank">The Counter</a>. &ldquo;We specialize in a customized experience, and that&rsquo;s what has set us apart from other restaurant franchises.&rdquo;

The Counter allows customers to build their ideal burger, choosing from a range of proteins, cheeses, toppings, sauces and buns or greens, each checked off on a paper menu that encapsulates the brand&rsquo;s hip, casual vibe, evoked also in the restaurants&rsquo; industrial d&eacute;cor and upbeat music.

The Counter&rsquo;s emphasis on customization has made it one of the few restaurant concepts that accommodate the new and diverse wave of specialty diets, from paleo to gluten-free to ketogenic, which have made ingredients from every corner of the food pyramid off limits for some diners. The Counter has even become a favorite among vegetarians, offering not just veggie burgers, but also the meat-like Impossible&trade; Burger.

&ldquo;For burger lovers, our all-natural beef patties are as good as it gets, but even for those who don&rsquo;t eat beef, we still offer the best burger in town,&rdquo; Cohn said. &ldquo;Customers can get organic bison burgers, vegan veggies burgers, turkey, chicken, mahi-mahi and&mdash;the option vegetarians have been most excited about&mdash;the Impossible burger, which bleeds, sizzles and tastes just like a beef burger, but it&rsquo;s made entirely from plants.&rdquo;

The Impossible Burger was introduced to The Counter restaurants last fall, and it was just one of the restaurant&rsquo;s frequent menu innovations.

&ldquo;We were one of the first concepts to offer a custom burger experience back in 2006,&rdquo; Cohn said,&rdquo; but we&rsquo;re never done innovating. We are always introducing exciting new proteins, sauces and toppings to help make sure we are offering the most exciting and diverse experience for customers.&rdquo;

By offering a menu of proteins, buns and toppings that can be mixed and matched in more than a million combinations, The Counter&reg; created a concept that appeals to virtually every taste and dietary restriction.

That universal appeal will likely prove a crucial benefit to The Counter as the brand begins expanding to meet an increasingly consumer demand. The franchise already has locations in states across the U.S., including California, Idaho, Texas, Florida, Virginia, Hawaii and New York, and the development team is currently seeking owners for new restaurants in new and existing markets.

Startup costs to open a The Counter Custom Built Burgers&trade; restaurant range from &nbsp;$786,000 to $2,355,250, including a $50,000 franchise fee. To learn more,<a href="https://www.thecounterfranchise.com/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=a-focus-on-customization-lets-the-counter-stand-out-from-the-burger-crowd-2706589" target="_blank" rel="nofollow" style="text-decoration:none" target="_blank"> thecounter.com/franchise</a>.

&copy;2018 CB Franchise Systems, LLC. &nbsp;All rights reserved. All other trademarks referenced are property of their respective owners. The information provided herein is for informational purposes only and is not intended as an offer to sell, or the solicitation of an offer to buy, a franchise; nor is it directed to the residents of any particular jurisdiction within the U.S. or elsewhere. &nbsp;The following states currently regulate the offer and sale of franchises: CA, HI, IL, IN, MD, MI, MN, NY, ND, RI, SD, VA, WA, and WI. If you are a resident of one of these states, or of a jurisdiction that has similar requirements, we will not offer you a franchise until we have completed the applicable registration or obtained the exemption from registration, and completed the applicable disclosure requirements. &nbsp;Regardless of what state you reside in, an offering can only be made by a franchise disclosure document.

&nbsp;

A Focus on Customization Lets The Counter® Stand Out From the Burger Crowd

1851 Franchise

The brand’s wide variety of made-to-order options has made it one of the most popular burger concepts in franchising

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How much can franchisees make? It’s a question many prospective owners ask before investing in a franchise. While earnings tend to be driven by variables such as industry, location and general management skills, a proper understanding of the key factors driving profitability can help franchise owners develop expectations that are realistic.&nbsp;Multi-unit franchisee&nbsp;<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/mangesh-patel-9368569/">Mangesh Patel</a>, who’s readying the launch of six&nbsp;<a href="https://www.beefobradysfranchise.com/">Beef ‘O’ Brady’s</a> restaurant locations in the Macon, Georgia area, shares insights from his franchising experience.<h2>Understanding Franchise Income</h2>Keeping operational costs in check can have a major impact on overall earnings. Taking a proactive approach to expenses such as food and labor, as well as payroll and scheduling, can help align actual franchise income with general expectations for the business.“I just had a meeting with a couple of people, and they said, ‘You talked about a 25% profit margin, but I’m only doing 12%.’ So, I looked at the figures they sent me,” Patel said. “Their&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/calculate-restaurant-franchise-profit-2730476">restaurant</a> food cost was running at 37%, which should be around 30%. The national average is about 32%. If I do things correctly, my average food cost needs to be at or below 30%. And payroll should run around 18%. But many people run 25 to 28%.”So,&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/unraveling-franchise-earnings-how-much-can-you-really-make-2723935">how much can franchisees make</a>? Here are five areas to consider.<h2>Practical Tips for Prospective Franchisees</h2><ol><li>Control Costs From Day One:&nbsp;It’s important to monitor payroll, food and supply costs closely. Overstaffing and inefficiencies can quickly reduce profits.</li><li>Plan For The Opening Surge:&nbsp;Traffic within the first few months of opening is likely to be higher. It’s important to adjust staffing and inventory accordingly, and pay close attention to how those levels change as time goes on.</li><li>Invest In Training:&nbsp;Properly trained workers can help reduce waste and improve overall service, which has a direct effect on net income.</li><li>Understand Your Market:&nbsp;Each market is unique and revenue potential will vary depending upon location, demographics and competition.</li><li>Track Metrics Regularly:&nbsp;Food cost percentages, labor ratios and weekly sales data act as key indicators operations may need to be adjusted.</li></ol><h2>What Profitability Really Comes Down To</h2>Patel notes that if franchise owners manage labor and costs properly, it’s not impossible to achieve strong cash flow even in the first year, bucking some franchising trends.So,&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/how-much-can-you-make-as-a-franchise-owner-2724761">how much can franchisees make</a>? While results tend to vary, careful planning, disciplined operations and a proactive approach to assessing initial costs are essential. But by grasping and guiding the elements that drive franchise profitability, franchise owners can maximize overall business earnings, scaling a business that’s sustainable financially over the long term.Want to learn more about franchise opportunities on 1851 Franchise? Be sure to visit our&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/power-rankings">Power Rankings</a> to read more on brands making moves.

How much can franchisees make? This guide explains what drives franchise earnings and how to manage costs, with expert tips from multi-unit owner Mangesh Patel on maximizing your franchise income.

How Much Can Franchisees Make? A Guide for Prospective Franchise Owners

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Building&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/how-do-you-build-a-franchise-business-plan-2717037">a business plan</a> is a crucial operational step for any entrepreneur. But how do I build a business plan for a franchise that complements the franchisor’s system while addressing the unique needs of a given location? In this guide with expert tips, you’ll learn how to craft a thoughtful, actionable franchise business plan.<h2>Start With The Franchisor’s System In Mind</h2>So, how do I build a business plan for a franchise? Well, avoiding repetition is a good start.“You specifically don’t want to duplicate what your franchisor is doing,” said long-time multi-unit&nbsp;<a href="https://www.solafranchising.com/">Sola Salons</a> franchise owner,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/haynes-chidsey-6a36a06/">Haynes Chidsey</a>. “There’s a reason why you join a franchise system and why you pay the fees and costs associated with it.”A strong franchise business plan should take advantage of the resources, marketing and operational systems that the franchisor provides (while utilizing daily experiences at the local level to help fine-tune what matters locally).<h2>Focus On Local Priorities</h2>A franchise business plan should be&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/strategicfranchising/how-to-build-a-strong-franchise-brand-presence-in-your-local-community-2729771">locally focused</a>. It should reflect the unique characteristics and needs of each local market. It’s essential to identify opportunities to attract local customers, build relationships within the community at the local level and tailor services to the regional preferences required by each market.“Be complementary to what your system provides,” said Chidsey. “Stay locally focused. That’s what I would say is key. Avoid mistakes by focusing on the magic.”<h2>Practical Steps For Building Your Plan</h2><ol><li>Assess Both Market And Competition – Build a thorough understanding of local demand, competitors and potential customer base. This will lead to more informed projections. &nbsp;</li><li>Define Financial Goals – Include startup costs, ongoing fees and revenue expectations in the business plan. Staffing, rent, marketing and working capital should all be factored in. &nbsp;</li><li>Leverage Franchisor Resources – Incorporate the systems, training and support offered by the franchisor (instead of reinventing processes). &nbsp;</li><li>Set Operational Priorities – Decide which areas require hands-on local management (as opposed to areas guided by the franchisor). Focus energy where it’s most impactful. &nbsp;</li><li>Review And Adjust – A business plan shouldn’t be static. So, track performance, adjust strategies and refine priorities as the franchised business scales.</li></ol><h2>The Takeaway</h2><a href="https://1851franchise.com/chapter-3-developing-a-franchise-business-plan-2722586">Creating a franchise business plan</a> is about balance. With a clear plan that integrates franchisor resources and local insight, franchisees can confidently move forward, knowing their businesses are structured to thrive. Leveraging a proven franchisor system to make smart, locally relevant decisions is key. By slowing down to go fast, and catering to the local trends or demands unique to each market, zees can more effectively build a roadmap and franchise business plan capable of delivering long-term success.Want to learn more about franchise opportunities on 1851 Franchise? Be sure to visit our&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/power-rankings">Power Rankings</a> to read more on brands making moves.

How do I build a business plan for a franchise?

How do I build a business plan for a franchise? In this guide with expert tips, learn how to build a plan that leverages franchisor resources, focuses on local priorities and brings long-term success.

A Focus on Customization Lets The Counter® Stand Out From the Burger Crowd

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