Popular chain also rolls out innovative kiosk design for shopping malls
Ever heard of anyone that doesn’t love Nestlé Toll House cookies?
Exactly.
So it comes as little surprise that Nestlé Toll House Café by Chip, the chain of premier dessert and bakery cafés built around theworld’s most powerful food brand – Nestlé – is experiencing record growth across North America, as well as overseas.
In 2013, Nestlé Toll House Café signed 32 new franchise agreements in North America, an impressive 33 percent growth rate. Cafés were added in both new and established markets in the United States and Canada, in addition to several new locations throughout the Middle East.
And thanks to bullish franchisee demand, the chain already has 30 new locations scheduled to open in 2014. The overall annual goal is 40 new franchise agreements in North America this year.
“We are growing aggressively, but strategically, in partnership with many outstanding franchise operators,” said Ted Milburn, Vice President of Franchise Development for Nestlé Toll House Café. “Our new stores, featuring our next-generation design for Street, In-line and Kiosk cafés, are generating significant interest from prospective franchisees every day. Our franchise discovery process is also very thorough and has engaged more candidates with our brand. We just wrapped up a tremendous year, but we expect 2014 to be even better.”
Milburn noted that a key driver of the chain’s growth this year is the company’s new relationship and long-term master lease agreement with Rouse Properties, Inc. (NYSE: RSE), a national owner and operator of regional enclosed malls. The agreement calls for 18 new cafés to open in the center courts of Rouse-owned shopping malls across the country in 2014. Three of these cafés have already opened since the first of the year.
In addition, the chain recently rolled out an enhanced kiosk concept, featuring soft seating with convenient electrical outlets for smart phone and computers, free Wi-Fi, digital menu boards displaying video images of key menu items, and an upgraded design that showcases the brand’s distinctive product offerings in a more efficient and attractive manner. The new look incorporates the brand’s essence of providing a warm, homey environment for guests that seek a longer, more relaxing experience.
“Our customers, as well as our operators, are raving about the new kiosk design,” said Ziad Dalal, founder and President of Nestlé Toll House Café. “It’s much more inviting, so instead of grabbing a cookie and rushing along, guests often choose to sit down, re-charge with a cup of premium coffee and a baked treat, and linger a while. The new kiosk is more of a meeting and gathering place, and that’s great for our guests and our business.”
While local menus can vary, all cafés feature the universally loved Nestlé Toll House cookies and gourmet coffees, along with an assortment of freshly baked confections. Other items typically include brownies, muffins, smoothies, ice creams, Panini sandwiches and newly introduced Crepes for lunch.
Nestlé Toll House Café by Chip is a premiere dessert and bakery café offering customers an unrivaled experience through the use of fine ingredients, indulgent creations, distinct flavor profiles, and the rich tradition of the very best Nestlé brands. Crest Foods Inc., dba Nestlé Toll House Café by Chip, based in Richardson, Texas, is a premiere restaurant franchisor company. The company currently franchises 123 bakery cafes in the United States, Canada and the Middle East. The versatile concept has kiosk, in-line mall and street café locations. The first Nestlé Toll House Café opened in 2000. The company has been recognized by Entrepreneur magazine’s “Franchise 500” for the last nine consecutive years, through 2014.
For more information please visit www.nestlecafe.com.
