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Back Yard Burgers to redesign stores

Back Yard Burgers has unveiled a new push for market share in 2016 through a contemporary redesign of its restaurants.

November 2, 2015

Back Yard Burgers has unveiled a new push for market share in 2016 through a contemporary redesign of its restaurants. The new design will launch next year, with existing store updates to follow, according to a company press release.

The modern design template incorporates contemporary comfort throughout, and the new concept features large windows that let in nearly 50 percent more natural light and create a sense of openness throughout the dining area. Additional updates include a more streamlined drive-thru experience, an open kitchen and a designated milkshake station near the front entrance, the release stated.

"These updates will make the entire dining experience at Back Yard Burgers better than ever before," said David McDougall, Back Yard Burgers CEO. "Our focus throughout the redesign process has remained on the creation of a better atmosphere for both our customers and our dedicated employees. This project will increase efficiency in our restaurants and ultimately increase revenue as well."

The redesign follows more than four months of market research conducted in partnership with Cakewalk Creative, a retail branding and design firms. The San Francisco-based firm first worked with Back Yard Burgers in 2013, enhancing its menu board to create a more contemporary, customer-friendly experience. The store updates are modeled after the success achieved through the menu board updates, the release stated.

"The new menu board served as the North star on how we wanted to shape the Back Yard Burgers experience of the future," said David Zapata, Cakewalk principal and managing partner. "Our design decisions incorporate more than two months of market research through three separate and distinctly different concepts. We took each of those concepts to the most important critics we have: our customers. The final design was ultimately driven by what is most important to them."

The updates and new locations follow steady growth in 2015 for Back Yard Burgers. The brand has created 30 consecutive months of positive comp sales, and plans to open several new locations in the year ahead, the release stated.

"Two years ago, our highest priority was repositioning the brand and focusing on our core values of  treating our guests with genuine kindness and respect and delivering hot, fresh, delicious food," McDougall said. "We are proud of our accomplishments, but hungry for more. The innovations driving Back Yard Burgers into the future will help make 2016 the best chapter yet in our story."

Back Yard Burgers operates 60 locations in 13 states.