St. Louis and Phoenix Top Our Target Market List
2021 is just around the corner, and you know what that means: A new Goodcents could be just around the corner, also.
That’s especially true if you live in Phoenix or St. Louis, our two primary targeted growth markets for 2021. We have a strong presence in most of the Midwest, and we are actively looking to grow in Phoenix and St. Louis, where we are currently awarding franchises for both single-unit and multi-unit operators as well as Area Representatives.
The sandwich industry is a strong investment, with an annual growth of 3.4% for the last five years. This year, in spite of the COVID-19 pandemic, Goodcents locations performed well. That is partly attributable to our multiple streams of revenue: online ordering, catering, delivery, dine-in, drive-thru and affordable Goodcents To Go meals.
In the coming year, we are dedicated to facilitating successful and rapid regional growth throughout our franchise system, especially targeting the St. Louis and Phoenix markets.
So, how are we going to grow those markets?
More Area Representatives
Area Representatives help to recruit franchise owners to open units and facilitate Goodcents brand standards compliance in their geographic areas. St. Louis has one Area Representative already and four more areas ready for development. Phoenix has six areas ready for development.
Area Representatives invest $100,000 in a defined geographic area that will be developed with 10 stores, at least one of which must be owned and operated by the Area Representative. The Area Representative receives half of the $30,000 franchise fee for each restaurant in his or her area. The Area Representative also is paid one-third of the franchise royalty, or 2% of total sales, from each location.
More Convenience
Goodcents To Go meals debuted in late January and early February and brought in more than $1.3 million in 2020. The affordable, prepackaged meals were a key differentiator for our franchisees this year, and our customers tell us they use it as part of their weekly menu and budget planning.
Additionally, Goodcents pivoted quickly during the pandemic to provide curbside pickup of deli meats, cheeses and bread when supermarkets were struggling to keep up with demand. Goodcents sold meat and cheese for $5 per pound and freshly baked loaves of bread for 75 cents per loaf. The convenience and price point were valuable to customers, and the grocery program brought in substantial revenue for franchisees at a critical time.
Because convenience and contactless service provide value to our guests, we will continue to offer curbside pickup and recommend drive-thrus where possible at our new locations.
More Focus on Safety
We Deliver. We Cater. We Care.®
Goodcents trademarked that tagline years ago, and this seems like the perfect time to emphasize it.
We have always prioritized the safety of our customers and team, but that’s never been truer than it is today, as we are battling a pandemic. In late January, we will launch our new Goodcents Certified Clean Program, which will equip every Goodcents restaurant with an electrostatic sprayer and Shield Disinfectant Sanitizer™ products. Shield products are made in the USA, approved by the Environmental Protection Agency and are food safe. Goodcents locations also will have a ThermoVu™ no–contact temperature check device at the door available for guests and required to be used by all crew members.
We believe the Goodcents Certified Clean Program will help our guests feel they can visit Goodcents with confidence in the cleanliness of our restaurants and the good health of our team and fellow guests.
If you’re interested in learning more about our growth plans in St. Louis and Phoenix, please email Jami at [email protected].