1851

<div id="pastingspan1"><span style="">The right location is key for franchisee success. Franchise brands will do copious amounts of research in order to determine the best sites for expansion, and oftentimes, they will turn to non-traditional real estate options to expand their customer base while growing their brand.</span></div><div id="pastingspan1"><span style=""><br /></span></div><div id="pastingspan1"><span style="">Real estate can be tough to come by as there are new franchise locations popping up every day. The International Franchise Association estimated there were <a href="http://emarket.franchise.org/FranchiseBizOutlook2015.pdf?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=non-traditional-real-estate-locations-3928" target="_blank" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">781,794 franchise units</a> operating in the U.S. in 2015. With this kind of growth, the franchise real estate market is becoming more and more saturated, and it&#8217;s forcing brands to think outside the box. Bob Simpson of <a href="http://simpsoncg.com/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=non-traditional-real-estate-locations-3928" target="_blank" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Simpson Consulting Group</a>, who has more than 27 years of experience in real estate, franchising and retail operations, explained why franchises are looking at non-traditional real estate spots. He also shared some of the most common examples.</span></div><div id="pastingspan1"><span style=""><br /></span></div><div id="pastingspan1"><span style=""><strong>Overcome Saturation</strong></span></div><div id="pastingspan1"><span style="">When a franchise becomes successful and dominates the market, they may have run out of spaces to launch new locations. Simpson said there are brands like sandwich shops and coffee shops that have completely conquered the market and don&#8217;t want to encroach on another franchisee. This means franchise brands have to be more creative in their real estate search.</span></div><div id="pastingspan1"><span style=""><br /></span></div><div id="pastingspan1"><span style="">&#8220;The idea of going to non-traditional locations is to attract customers they were not finding originally,&#8221; Simpson said. &#8220;Brands start to think &#8216;we have dominated the market, so how can we capture a new audience without building a location next to an existing brand?&#8221;</span></div><div id="pastingspan1"><span style=""><br /></span></div><div id="pastingspan1"><span style=""><strong>Reach new audiences</strong></span></div><div id="pastingspan1"><span style="">He said a brand&#8217;s research department will look at up and coming neighborhoods for major cities. The reasoning behind this includes a brand wanting to be a part of a cool, hip neighborhood that is growing, which also means that rent will be affordable, as there typically isn&#8217;t major business penetration there yet. Brands are able to stake their claim in a part of town that hasn&#8217;t yet become mainstream, and in the process, the brand has a chance to establish their relevancy. <a href="http://checkersfranchising.com/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=non-traditional-real-estate-locations-3928" target="_blank" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Checkers &amp; Rally&#8217;s</a> is an example of a brand using this type of real estate tactic. The brand targets rapidly growing areas that are prime spots for real estate development. The mentality has worked&#8212;Checkers &amp; Rally&#8217;s is <a href="http://checkers.1851franchise.com/article_details/3834/Checkers-Named-Fastest-Growing-Fast-Food-Chain-in-Illinois-by-Thrillist?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=non-traditional-real-estate-locations-3928" target="_blank" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">one of the fastest growing fast-food chains</a>. </span></div><div id="pastingspan1"><span style=""><br /></span></div><div id="pastingspan1"><span style=""><a href="http://checkers.1851franchise.com/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=non-traditional-real-estate-locations-3928" target="_blank" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Checkers &amp; Rally&#8217;s</a> is also at the forefront of another type of non-traditional real estate location: the big box store. Checkers &amp; Rally&#8217;s, and other brands like <a href="http://www.ownappf.com/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=non-traditional-real-estate-locations-3928" target="_blank" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Philly Pretzel Factory</a>, have opened up franchise locations inside large retailers like Wal-Mart. Marty Ferrill, president of Philly Pretzel Factory, said having franchises in Wal-Mart brings in a whole new crowd of customers and investors. </span></div><div id="pastingspan1"><span style=""><br /></span></div><div id="pastingspan1"><span style="">&#8220;In some cases you&#8217;re dependent upon the place or the venue to drive traffic. It gives our brand real exposure from a sales standpoint while helping us grow more units,&#8221; Ferrill said. &#8220;Traffic in big-box stores is the perfect opportunity for us as there are a lot of people walking around for a few hours that need to snack.&#8221;</span></div><div id="pastingspan1"><span style=""><br /></span></div><div id="pastingspan1"><span style="">College campuses are another non-traditional real estate development spot for brands. Restaurants know that college students are in a hurry, whether to class or to the library to study. Setting up a franchise at the student union or in a shopping plaza by a school can attract a whole new audience. <a href="http://wingzonefranchise.com/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=non-traditional-real-estate-locations-3928" target="_blank" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Wing Zone</a>, a nationwide leader in dine-in and delivery wings, recently opened a location at the University of Florida, the same college where the idea for the brand started.</span></div><div id="pastingspan1"><span style=""><br /></span></div><div id="pastingspan1"><span style="">In the end, when brands are targeting non-traditional locations, Simpson explained there&#8217;s ultimately one key to success&#8212;keeping an open mind.</span></div><div id="pastingspan1"><span style=""><br /></span></div><div id="pastingspan1"><span style="">&#8220;In order to achieve success in non-traditional locations, brands need to be adaptable. That means either trying these new spots or adapting the brand model to achieve success in a new real estate location,&#8221; Simpson said. &#8220;Brands have a large network of franchisees they can use for research to help determine the best non-traditional real estate locations.&#8221;</span></div>

1851 Franchise

Brands can reach new audiences by opening up stores in unconventional locations

This brand page has been paid for by 1851. Content within this page that is paid will showcase a Sponsored icon. This means the brand has engaged 1851 FRANCHISE to write the content. Content without the Sponsored Icon is aggregated media placements the brand earned. Questions can be sent to editorial@1851franchise.com

Non-Traditional Real Estate Locations 

non-traditional-real-estate-locations

Paris Baguette

Photo of array of Paris Baguette pastries

Paris Baguette Redefines Morning Routines With Fresh Breakfast and Premium Coffee Strategy

paris-baguette-breakfast-strategy-growth

TruBlue Home Service Ally

TruBlue’s Home Maintenance Plans: Peace of Mind for Homeowners

trublues-home-maintenance-plans-peace-of-mind-for-homeowners

Caring Transitions

Caring Transitions Targets Peoria, Illinois, for Franchise Growth

caring-transitions-targets-peoria-illinois-for-franchise-growth

Caring Transitions Celebrates a Strong Start to 2025 With 19 New Franchise Sales and Momentum-Building Training Events

caring-transitions-celebrates-a-strong-start-to-2025-with-19-new-franchise-sales-and-momentum-building-training-events

Right at Home

Right at Home 30th Anniversary in Home Care with Right at Home Logo

Celebrating 30 Years of Excellence and Future Innovations in Home Care

celebrating-30-years-of-excellence-and-future-innovations-in-home-care

Buying a Franchise Masterclass

 Franchise Opportunities

Get Support Buying a Franchise

How to Buy a Franchise White Paper

How to Buy a Franchise

How to Sell Franchises

How to Grow a Franchise

Find a Franchise Supplier

1851 Franchise Opportunities

Franchisor News

Franchisor Power Rankings

FranCamp Mastermind Summit

Franchise Resources

What ALEC-Laffer's Report Means for Franchising

Website Awards

Power Rankings

About 1851

Advertise on 1851

Contact 1851 Editorial

Terms of Use

1851 Login

GROWTH CLUB LOGIN

facebook

instagram

twitter

linkedin

youtube

DoorDash Expansion Could Reshape Delivery and Operations for Franchise Brands - 1851 Franchise

DoorDash Expansion Could Reshape Delivery and Operations for Franchise Brands

doordash-acquistions-deliveroo-sevenrooms

Crumbl Franchise Investment - TSG Consumer Partners -  1851 Franchise

TSG Consumer Partners Takes Minority Stake in Crumbl, Signaling Franchise Growth Potential

crumbl-franchise-investment-tsg-consumer

Yum Brands Reports Strong Q1 Results with Big Boost from Taco Bell

yum-brands-reports-strong-q1-results-with-big-boost-from-taco-bell

QSR: McDonald’s Gains Momentum With Chicken Innovation, Value Deals and Franchisee Support

mcdonalds-franchise-recovery-chicken-strategy-value-deals-2025

The Future of Franchising: Trends and Predictions for 2025 and Beyond

the-future-of-franchising-trends-and-predictions-for-2025-and-beyond

Franchisee spotlight image with Randy and Sandy Craft, Children's Lighthouse logo on blue background

The Crafts’ Successful Journey from New Parents to Children’s Lighthouse Franchisees

the-crafts-successful-journey-from-new-parents-to-childrens-lighthouse-franchisees

Franchisee spotlight graphic with photo of Amy Lepke and family and Papa Murphy's logo

After 14 Years as a Stay-At-Home Mom, Amy Lepke Returned to Papa Murphy’s — This Time as an Owner

papa-murphys-franchise-amy-lepke

Franchisee Spotlight with Micki Waters and Papa Murphy's Logo

Work Mom: How Micki Waters Became a Mother Figure to Her Entire Papa Murphy’s Team

work-mom-how-micki-waters-became-a-mother-figure-to-her-entire-papa-murphys-team

Franchisee spotlight image with photo of Robert Trujillo and UWRG logo on blue background

Non-Traditional Real Estate Locations

MORE STORIES LIKE THIS