To meet demand, savvy "Quick Service Restaurant" chains are
partnering with modular builders.
 On-the-move Americans have
less time than ever for sit-down meals. So it is no wonder that the American
appetite for quality food "to go" seems insatiable. Drive-thru already accounts
for over 65% of total Quick Service Restaurant (QSR) revenue, and drive-thru
business growth is projected to continue to for the foreseeable future.
"QSR's and other multi-format retail chains have broadened their interest in
modular construction to rapidly deploy new retail sales units -- particularly
for small footprint buildings," says Ethan Holien, Vice President of Client
Development for Millennium Venture Group (MVG), a strategic concept firm for
fast-track retail development. "Managers can outsource an integrated package of
design, store development, site construction and technology," says Holien, "and
focus on their core competencies of sales, marketing and retail operations."
The new partnerships have created highly productive designs that dramatically
reinforce the QSR's brand.
The Italian gourmet coffee roaster Lavazza has entered the US food service
market with dazzling modular double drive-thru cafes. Designed by MVG and
engineered and manufactured by Kullman Industries, a New Jersey based modular
builder, the café captivates passers-by with its sweeping curves, novel façade
materials, and Italian aesthetic. This October, the Lavazza cafe won the
National Design-Build Institute of America's prestigious Design Build Award for
Best Project Under Million.
 Checkers restaurants, rated one of the
ten most efficient drive-thru restaurants in America(1), has developed highly
stylized, 1950's-themed modular buildings with black and white checkered tile
and stainless steel highlights. "Modular construction allows us to research and
develop new construction methods and building designs in a controlled, cost
effective environment," says John Laverty, Director of Construction and
Facilities for Checkers Drive-In Restaurants.
White Castle, one of America's oldest fast-food chains and also rated among the
nation's most efficient drive-thru's, has turned towards modular construction
to minimize down time and disruption when replacing older stores and speed
construction at new sites. Modular construction affords the QSR industry
important advantages over the traditional, site-built approach.
Award Winning Designs
Manufacturers and dealers of commercial modular buildings continue to win
national and international awards, like those from the National Design-Build
Institute and the Modular Building Institute, due to their combination of
sophisticated designs with high quality to meet diverse construction
challenges.
Quick to Market
Modular construction can deliver multiple turnkey drive-thru units in half the
time required for conventional construction. "Modular expedites regional and
national retail roll-outs while providing consistency of design and economies
to scale," points out James Schlicher, a retail development consultant in
Arlington Heights, Illinois.
Superior Quality Control
For the QSR owner, keeping tabs on production at a single modular building
plant where quality control professionals ensure quality construction is a
better option than monitoring multiple contractors' work at dispersed sites.
Simplified Code Compliance
Modular builders work with state building code enforcement officials to
pre-approve owners' modular designs statewide, bypassing the time-consuming
approval processes of local officials at each site.
Reduced Site Risk
Should a location fail to meet expectations, a modular unit can be relocated
easily.
Replacing Older Units Easily
New modular buildings replace outdated QSR units with a minimum of down time
and site disruption. A new modular facility can be online a few days after
demolition and site work are completed.
Direct Accountability
Modular design/builders provide owners with a single source of responsibility
for every project.
Savings Through Volume
QSR chains can further reduce per-unit costs by ordering multiple units from a
single modular builder.
Constant Improvement
Modular builders with design capabilities can quickly develop and incorporate
improvements and innovations into production.
The modular industry has a long history within the food service industry.
Kullman Industries, for example, was founded in 1927 to design and manufacture
diners, the original American modular food service buildings.
Today, modular diners are exported and serviced all over the world, while
modular innovators build the next generation of food service buildings in
ever-increasing numbers.
Don't be surprised if, during your holiday travels this year, a new modular
drive-thru zooms by in the fast lane.
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