How Franchises Are Growing in Las Vegas

Each year 40 million people visit the bright lights of Las Vegas. In a town with over 603,000 residents according to the U.S. Census Bureau, that’s a lot of potential exposure for franchise brands. It is also why Las Vegas is a prime spot for business and franchise development.

What happens in Vegas doesn’t always stay in Vegas. And that’s what Senior VP of Which Wich Jeff Vickers is betting on.

“There is a steady stream of new eyeballs on the brand,” said Vickers. “They experience the brand, many for the first time in Las Vegas, and take it home with them. It’s a unique experience that fits the Vegas profile.”

Las Vegas is a great place for a franchise to gain exposure. In a city where people are constantly going to stay for work or pleasure, getting more eyes on a brand is a great way to build brand awareness for individuals to remember when they are back home. The superior sandwich company is a favorite of conference goers and tourists alike who want to grab a customized sandwich in a sleek and modern environment.

“It’s a city that’s well visited by many people from all over the world,” said Vickers. “It’s assisted our growth domestically, as well as internationally. While our first restaurant is not on the Strip, it’s become a favorite for ‘locals’ to share with visitors.”

It was with a recommendation from a cab driver, that Which Wich was introduced to their very first Middle Eastern franchisee, Roshan Sambhwamni. When Sambhwamni was looking for somewhere to grab lunch, a cab driver suggested a “cool sandwich place” down the road. After being introduced to the Which Wich brand, Samnwamni opened a location in Dubai and has plans to add several more locations throughout the UAE.

ECONOMIC RECOVERY

According to the University of Las Vegas Center for Business & Economic Research, the long-term economic forecast predicts that the Las Vegas economy will return to the 2007 peak employment level (1.18 million jobs) by 2015. It is projected that by 2050 Clark County’s total employment would be slightly over 1.8 million.

Gordon Logan CEO of Sports Clips Haircuts agrees with the outlook for the Las Vegas market.

“Las Vegas is a great market,” said Logan. “It’s recovering nicely from the recession and it offers a solid workforce with excellent work ethics and values.”

Currently Sports Clips Haircuts has 12 locations in Las Vegas, with four new locations opening in the last two years. Las Vegas is a company-owned market for the brand, and they use the market to test new ideas in this choice market.

EXPANDING IN THE MARKET

The city of Las Vegas also has a lot to offer franchises and small businesses in the area. Bert Kolz, President of Black Wolf Group, Inc. currently owns 12 TWO MEN AND A TRUCK* franchises with the Black Wolf Group. Currently the group owns the entire Las Vegas territory with both of the Las Vegas North and Las Vegas South locations for TWO MEN AND A TRUCK.

Since opening the Las Vegas North location, the group has seen double-digit annual sales growth. They have eight moving trucks and 35 employees. Once they officially take over the Las Vegas South territory in April, they hope to have 10 trucks in total and about 50 employees.

“We’ll now have offices on both ends of the Las Vegas market,” said Kolz. “We’re hiring local employees in each office and we’re now closer to our customers than ever.”

Las Vegas has invested in its infrastructure so it’s easy for Kolz’s TWO MEN AND A TRUCK locations to get to their customers. The area also offers a robust housing market, so there are opportunities for housing and moving related companies.

“Franchises are small businesses and small businesses drive more job growth,” said Kolz. "We’re investing in Las Vegas because we’re bullish on Las Vegas.”