WESTLAKE, Ohio -- TravelCenters of America is looking to grow its full-service restaurant chain with incentives for interested franchisee applicants.
Quaker Steak & Lube is waiving development fees and offering discounts on other expenses for franchisees signing on to open more than one location. The incentive is the next phase in the renewal of the more than 40-year-old brand, part of TravelCenters of America’s restaurant division.
Last year Quaker Steak & Lube updated its menu, design and operational processes, and now the nearly 50-unit chain is focused on introducing the brand in new markets. Qualified franchisees will be eligible for 50% off the initial franchise fee and a reduced royalty fees for three years. In particular, the full-service restaurant is looking to expand in Indianapolis; Philadelphia; Columbus and Toledo, Ohio; Lexington and Louisville, Ky.; and across Florida, the company said.
“Throughout 2017, we focused our energy on revitalizing Quaker Steak & Lube as a whole and implemented various improvements from streamlining operations to crafting our food and beverage menu to best serve our customers," said Bruce Lane, vice president of operations and franchise services. "Now, we are fueling our efforts to aggressively expand.”
Franchisees can choose between three different store designs and other nontraditional build-outs, such as units in stadiums, colleges, kiosks and airports, according to the company.
TravelCenters of America, Westlake, Ohio, acquired Quaker Steak & Lube in 2016. Since then, the parent company has lead a brand refresh that has included a new Quaker Steak & Lube Express walk-up concept and the addition of a corporate chef. With nearly 500 travel centers and convenience stores, TA ranked No. 17 in a year-end update of CSP’s 2017 Top 202 list of the largest c-store chains in the United States.
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