Multi-Unit Franchisee Magazine Issue III, 2017 | Page 62

SP AC E I S T H E P L A C E
on top of that.”
• Learn the territory. Local knowl-
edge is essential for success, especially
in new or unfamiliar markets. Thus it
is vitally important to set schedule and
budget expectations as soon as possible,
says Jason Glasrud, development manager
for the CBC Real Estate Group in Kansas
City. “Most communities have established
processes that inform the developer and
operator. Drilling down into possible re-
strictions that can affect a brand’s trade
dress, drive-thru lanes, and permit, tap, and
impact fees is critical in the early stages of
a project and allows you to obtain relief
when you can.”
Says Naylon, “Understanding the fun-
damentals of real estate and the advan-
tages of a particular location becomes
increasingly important, even more so in
core markets versus secondary or tertiary
markets. Poor site selection will lead to
poor sales performance in a market where
margins are becoming tighter and tighter.”
For smaller franchisees or those with
minimal experience in real estate and de-
velopment, it is even more vital in today’s
competitive market to take advantage of
firms with strong local connections, and
remain focused on running a successful
franchise business.