A View From The Top

Beef-a-Roo, Blenderz opening inside shipping containers to cut costs

Next Brands President Austin Capoferi describes how franchisees may buy a unit for an all-inclusive price of $200,000.

Photos: Next Brands

October 25, 2023 | By Austin Capoferi, presdient, Next Brands

Ever since the pandemic rocked the world, the fast casual restaurant industry, like many others, has been grappling with unprecedented challenges from its impact. Labor shortages, supply chain disruptions, and constant delays have left many major food brands struggling to meet the ever-increasing consumer demand. However, amidst these challenges, my team and I with Next Brands, a family owned catalyst for food franchises, are pioneering an innovative growth solution in the fast-casual industry that promises to revolutionize the way we think about expansion in the current economic climate.

The ongoing labor shortages and supply chain issues have been crippling for many fast-casual restaurants, forcing the industry to face a new reality in which hiring and retaining staff is increasingly challenging, and the availability of essential ingredients and resources has been uncertain. To counter these difficulties, we have at Next Brands brought to life this new modular location concept, which allows for a quicker, more efficient approach to restaurant expansion. This revolutionary idea utilizes shipping containers to swiftly establish fully operational restaurant locations, cutting down development time by half. The result? A strategic approach to growth that not only circumvents the current economic challenges but also paves the way for unprecedented success.

One of the most remarkable benefits of this cutting-edge approach is its ability to drastically reduce the cost of establishing a new restaurant location. Franchisees of Next Brands' food franchises such as Beef-a-Roo, a Midwest-based restaurant that offers fresh meals at an affordable price, and Blenderz, a fun, retro vibe acai and smoothie bar franchise with a mission to ignite more smiles, can now purchase their new modular locations for an all-inclusive price of just $200,000. This significantly lowers the barriers to entry for potential entrepreneurs in the industry, enabling them to explore their passions for food service without the daunting financial burdens.

However, it's not just about cost-cutting; it's also about streamlining operations. Thanks to the well-planned design of the modular locations, the need for labor is reduced to only two to three employees per location, which certainly does not come at the expense of customer experience. On the contrary, the strategic design ensures that service times are astonishingly quick, ranging from just 4 to 6 minutes.

Moreover, the modular approach has a positive impact on food quality and freshness. With a focus on optimizing the supply chain, franchises are better equipped to keep every ingredient fresh and readily available for valued guests. In an era when customers increasingly seek both convenience and quality, this approach strikes the perfect balance.
This innovative concept is already gaining traction across the country, and the Beef-a-Roo and Blenderz franchisees are eager to embrace their positions as pioneers in the industry. Our vision is ti transform the way franchisees approach their businesses, offering more entrepreneurs an opportunity to expand and thrive in challenging economic times.

As we continue to develop the modular location concept through Next Brands, it's clear that we are not merely reacting to the challenges posed by the current economic situation, but we are actively reshaping the future of the fast-casual restaurant industry. Focused on affordability, efficiency, and maintaining the highest standards of food quality, our innovative approach ensures that its franchises will stand the test of time.

More From A View From The TopMore

---