When compared to a startup business, franchises have a few things going for them. Franchise owners have a support system from the very beginning, a proven concept, and an established presence in the market. Here at Noodles & Company, we’ve made it our mission to support franchise owners in any way possible. What else should you look for when considering a franchise opportunity? Here are some important things you’ll want to make sure your chosen franchise provides.
Essential Qualities of a Good Restaurant Franchise
1. Training and Support
One big benefit of the restaurant franchise model is that owners can take advantage of their franchisor’s expertise through training and ongoing support. Prior to opening their restaurant, every one of our unique food franchise owners visits a training restaurant for extensive executive training. There, owners get hands-on assistance and learn the ins and outs of their new business. We even provide data-driven marketing support and additional ongoing assistance for the life of your franchise.
2. Proven Customer Demand
You’ll also want a restaurant franchise proven to draw in the crowds. With no direct national competitors, our guests return to Noodles & Company for globally-inspired flavors and a fast-casual dining experience. Every one of our locations feels warm and inviting, which is a big part of what makes Noodles & Company franchises so fantastic.
3. Adaptability
There comes a time when every unique food franchise concept needs to adapt. Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, we were quick to address guests’ concerns regarding safety. It’s important to react quickly to guests’ changing sentiments and make sure we’re asking the right questions.
We quickly added a safety expectation question to our general survey to make sure we’re always meeting guest expectations. As dining rooms reopened, this became an important part of our monitoring process. We’ve also created surveys on our site to track guest sentiment changes over time.
4. Industry Outlook
Now is a great time to begin the process of owning a restaurant franchise. Most restaurants resumed dine-in options, and food delivery has seen explosive growth these past few years.
According to one National Restaurant Association report compiled in November 2020, 66% of the 1,000 adults surveyed stated they ordered takeout or delivery for dinner within the last week. Additionally, 79% of consumers used restaurant delivery at least once a month. When compared to past surveys, the percentage of off-premises dining (between March and November 2020) was found to be consistently higher.
5. Restaurant Location
Site selection is one of the most important early decisions you can make when opening a restaurant franchise. As part of our extensive training system, we’ll be with you through every step of the buildout process. From site selection to demographic analytics and equipment purchasing, we’ll help you get started the right way.
Traditionally, we prefer corner locations with natural light and plenty of traffic visibility. We also seek locations in downtown areas or in neighborhoods with a dense mix of residential housing and office buildings.
Own Your Own Restaurant Franchise
After more than 25 years in the fast-casual restaurant industry, we know what it takes to grow a burgeoning business. We’re eager to find passionate entrepreneurs interested in operating their own Noodles & Company restaurant as we look towards the future. Are you ready to start your franchise future? Get in touch with our team to learn more.
