UpTrajectory Review
The article discusses the shift in quick-service restaurant (QSR) expansion strategies, highlighting the growing importance of non-traditional venues such as airports, hospitals, and universities. These locations are becoming crucial for brands seeking sustainable growth in a competitive market, offering high visibility and consistent foot traffic.
For small business operators, this trend signals a significant opportunity to rethink location strategies. As traditional high-rent areas become saturated, exploring non-traditional venues could provide a competitive edge. However, operators should remain cautious; while these spaces offer potential, they also come with unique challenges, such as differing customer expectations and operational logistics. It's essential to conduct thorough market research before diving into these new territories.
“non-traditional locations currently make up approximately 25% of Subway’s global footprint and are responsible for between 20-30% of the brand’s total sales.” — Global Franchise
Takeaway: Consider exploring non-traditional venues for expansion to tap into new customer bases and reduce risk.
Excerpt from the original — Global Franchise
What began as a side strategy – a kiosk in an airport or a café on a campus – has become central to the next phase of QSR expansion.
From travel hubs and hospitals to universities, leisure parks, and even military bases, non-traditional venues are fast emerging as the new growth frontier for ambitious food brands, combining steady foot traffic, high visibility, and customers ready to spend.
In an increasingly crowded marketplace, these spaces offer something few others can: sustainable growth with lower risk. Once considered peripheral, they’re now shaping the very core of how QSR brands grow.
Yet as operators rush to secure their share of this new terrain, one question remains: is the future of food franchising truly found off the beaten track?
Rethinking location
The traditional restaurant model – high-rent, high-traffic, street-facing real estate – has long defined …