February 24, 2022 – It is no secret that the demand for online orders and third-party food delivery has been on the rise since the beginning of the pandemic. For many restaurants, this increase has been monumental in maintaining business over the past few years, but it has also created new challenges in ensuring a satisfying in-store experience for customers. Confronted with a challenging labor market, many restaurants are not running with a full staff. It is not uncommon to enter a restaurant with the hopes of a speedy transaction only to find long lines and overwhelmed employees due to an influx of online orders. Many major companies in the quick-service industry are taking different actions to adjust to the growth of virtual ordering. The following is one way that our client, Jersey Mike’s, is solving the in-store inconvenience for those who choose to order in-person.
WLZ Restaurant Group, LLC, a franchise operator for Jersey Mike’s Subs in northeast Ohio, is looking into plans to open strategically placed remote kitchens to keep online orders and in-store exchanges separate. With the customer in mind, these kitchens will be used solely to prepare the online orders and to provide a unique pick-up location for third-party food delivery drivers without disrupting the flow of in-store purchases. Jersey Mike’s aims to create a smoother experience in the restaurant as well as improve online order preparation, all while cutting labor cost and lessening the burden on employees and customers alike.
Michael Weiss, Senior Director at Goodman Real Estate Services Group LLC, and an eight-unit franchise owner, are working with Jersey Mike’s Subs on this project.
