GOOD NEWS
MSN Money listed the 7 companies beating the odds in this recession. One of the seven was Chipotle fast food restaurants. Chipotle is not your typical fast food, however. The interiors and exteriors of the restaurant are eye-catching with a special attention to a specific design aesthetic. The chain’s design excellence was highlighted in ARCHITECT magazine, including a gallery of their most inspired facades. The food is an array of made-to-order burritos with lots of choices and quality ingredients.
According to MSN, “though a lot of consumers are ‘trading down’ to save money, many of the lower-price chains can’t keep up with Chipotle. Comparable sales growth at Wendy’s/Arby’s Group and Burger King was just 1% in the first quarter.” Chipotle is even expanding despite recently raising prices. Proof that to get shopper attention now and going forward will require more than just low price. Attention to the customer experience, superior quality and a uniquely valuable product still have a solid place in today’s market.
NOT SO GOOD NEWS
CNN Money reports on another 7 — 7 Franchises that went bankrupt. These stories are interesting. Unfortunately, franchises are often at the mercy of their omnimpotent overseers and sometimes get lost in the fray. But some of these are redemption stories of franchises that were able to survive and turn things around.
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[...] to experience seems to be working for Chipotle as they were named one of the few franchises beating the odds in the recession. Apparently, BK is going to try and follow the leader. But will it work? Is the BK brand [...]