Top 5 Things to Consider for Store Design

Having a great product is one thing, but making it come to life for the customer is a completely different story. There are a lot of things to consider when the time comes to design a store, but there are five things in particular that stand out more than others. 1851 Franchise spoke with Jay Hummer, president and CEO of Kennedy’s All-American Barber Club, to get his perspective on store design in franchising.

Finding the Best Real Estate

To start, the space needs to fit the product.

“At Kennedy’s All-American Barber Club, we believe the build-out has to allow the franchisee to breathe,” Hummer said.

The layout of the store needs to work in-sync with the services provided, too. When looking for a new location, Hummer searches first for a valuable spacious location that can be functional as a barber club. This means there is plenty of room for the luxurious barber chairs while still allowing a path for the barbers to move around with ease.

A Feeling of Comfort

When designing a space, the environment is a key factor in customer satisfaction. When a customer feels like they belong, they will return.

“Everything we do, from providing a luxurious barber chair, to the floor they walk on, should provide a feeling of comfort that delivers a warm feeling of belonging every day,” Hummer said.

When the customer walks in, the exterior and interior should be clean and clutter-free. A customer should feel welcome the minute they walk into the store until they leave.

A Consistent Culture

When a customer visits a different franchise location, a sense of continuity can create a more welcoming feel. While one store is never the exact same as the next, the store should always give off the same friendly culture. The first generation of Kennedy’s All-American Barber Clubs was designed to replicate the barbershops of yesteryear. The new generation provides the same feel of nostalgia but now includes a member lounge. This store design is more modern but offers the same benefits of old style clubs. No matter which shop you visit, there will be a barber area with bright features, mirrors and comfortable barber chairs. The old-timey culture will always be a factor with Kennedy’s All-American Barber Clubs, and the customer will always feel welcomed by that sense of familiarity. 

Take the Franchisee into Consideration

While it is important that a shop is functional for a regular customer, it also has to be desirable to the person that is in the unit every day; the franchisee.

“The franchisee is more than a business owner, he is also a host. A host is always proud of his or her environment that they are providing for the comfort of their guests. Our franchisees love the service they provide and the atmosphere they deliver every day,” said Hummer.

Similar to building your own house, a franchisee should feel like the shop is built in a way that works perfectly for them and for their service, instead of feeling like they were placed in a space that might not be conducive to their needs. 

Finding the Best Location

A franchisee can spend all of the time in the world designing the inside of a store until it is perfect, but this will not make a difference if no one sees it. Location is very important when designing a new store. With Kennedy’s All-American Barber Club, it is important that there is access to roads to make entering and exiting easy. Walking traffic is also important. If people are walking by the shop, there is more of a chance they will drop in for a service. The more a store is visible and easy to get to, the better the customer base will be.