Church's Chicken Unveils First-Ever Modular Restaurant

LAWRENCEVILLE, Ga. -- Church’s Chicken will unveil the brand’s latest store prototype to its network of franchisees today -- a modular restaurant concept that Church’s officials said will cut the overall cost of a new store by 20 percent to 30 percent.

Large flat-bed rigs will haul, and massive cranes will put into place the structure, which is a 100-percent factory-built unit, which can be fully finished and ready for business in less than three days, according to the company. In honor of the event, Lawrenceville, Ga., Mayor Rex A. Millsaps will proclaim April 1, 2009, "Start Up a Franchise, Start Up the Economy" Day.

"Modular technology makes the prospect of owning and operating a Church’s faster, easier and more affordable by cutting costs in development, insurance premiums and equipment," Church’s President and CEO Harsha V. Agadi said in a statement. "An added advantage to the modular unit is its instant marketability, which will have franchisees up and running faster without compromising value, quality or safety."

Church’s franchisees will save on the cost of insurance premiums because of the modular building’s steel infrastructure, which added to the unit’s mobility, allows the restaurant to be depreciated like equipment, cutting a considerable amount of routine taxes and fees. Franchisees also save approximately 55 percent on all store equipment by utilizing re-manufactured items, according to Church’s.

Since the modular building is fully manufactured offsite, franchisees eliminate the risks associated with a general contractor, giving them more control over the development process by reducing the risk of the ‘x factors’ connected with the construction process, the company stated.

In addition, the new modular unit takes another innovative leap forward with energy efficiency and intelligence. The Light Stat energy management system will cut the annual utility costs by more than 10 percent, the company reported.

As of January 2009, the Church’s system consisted of more than 1,600 locations worldwide in 21 countries, with system sales approaching $1.2 billion. Church’s provides development options through conversions, food courts, convenience stores and inline formats. Church’s continues to expand franchising options by going mobile -- introducing new technologies like a 350-square-foot kiosk that can offer the brand’s full menu.

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