restaurant development + design is a user-driven resource for restaurant professionals charged with building new locations and remodeling existing units.
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6 0 • R E S T A U R A N T D E V E L O P M E N T + D E S I G N • M A R C H / A P R I L 2 0 1 5 + Wood-Grain HDPE Patio Chairs They're made from recycled PVC, are durable and have a long war- ranty. They have a nice wood-grain appearance that we like because our prototype look is rustic. They're also made in the U.S. We buy them from Polywood in vibrant colors, which costs a little more but is important to our branding. + LED Lighting Some franchisees are still reluctant to pay the higher up-front cost for an LED lamp but the return on investment can sometimes be within a year. The lifespan of a quality lamp can be well over fve years, so ultimately you reduce overhead. Over the past two years, 75 percent of our franchisees have opted to go with LEDs. We work with LED Source, which helps us do our lighting design plans and is also a supplier. We use mostly conventional standard recessed fxtures and canister pendant-type fxtures with the same LED lamps in them – either BR40s or BR30s. + Rustic Finishes & Branding Items For millwork, cabinetry, trim, handmade signage, etc., we have a really unique look. All of those items are cre- ated for us by Ed Carey Design. The fnishes really help us achieve the signature look and feel we want. It's not fancy — faux plywood wall fnished paneling with white- washed southern pine trim, for instance — it is casual, rustic like down in the Florida Keys and the Caribbean. + Full-Service Equipment Partner Our investment in our units is signifcant. We're not a QSR; we're full service, full menu, full bar. Our commitment to a great dining experience is supported by the engine, by how we prepare food and get it out to our patrons, thus the quality of the equipment, the back-up service and warranties are im- portant. Singer Equipment has designed probably 80 percent of our units. Our relationship ensures that we get the quality products, detailed drawings and schematics, and ongoing support that we need so we don't have to worry about it. READER'S CHOICES