November 18, 2013Excerpt from Popeyes® Point of View

ACCELERATE QUALITY RESTAURANTS

Team Effort Helps Complete New Prototype Restaurant Construction in Record 26 DaysPopeyes history, to date, shows that the fastest built restaurant took 45 days by Mel Dumas (Indianapolis market). As of October 21, 2013, that record has been broken by Mike Shelton. Mike’s Scott, Louisiana restaurant #115853, a new 60 seat Prototype restaurant built from the ground up, was completed in only 26 days from start to finish!

Mike had a vision to build this restaurant quicker than ever been done before. He was inspired by architectural records of buildings that had been completed with extraordinary speed. With the help of Popeyes Construction Manager Jeffery Bennett, the two reflected on great architecture completed in record time, such as the Hoover Dam and the Empire State Building. What helped to set these record breaking construction times? Both concluded that if you involve the city from day one, they will be a part of the team and engage their efforts more effectively and efficiently.

Together, Mike and Jeff called the Scott, LA mayor immediately to share what they were trying to accomplish in hope of gaining his support and full participation. The mayor was completely on board! Mike and Jeff strategized together an efficient, organized manor to go about their plan. Mike did his due diligence by having all of the financial aspects taken care of; once all permits were in place, construction began immediately. Mike also made sure that the logistics of all projects coincided; they were never waiting on any one particular thing to hold up any processes. His new restaurant team was trained ahead of time, and around the clock, to start business immediately and meet the opening date. Mike spent an additional $100K to get things paid for ahead of time to prevent hold up. There were only two snags that could have delayed their progress – the power company and the roof top units. The mayor stepped in and provided support for finishing both those projects on time. A great example of the city pulling together, along with Diversified Commercial Builders and the Popeyes, as a team and creating a determination to win and beat the record!

With Mike and Mel being friends and associates, it made for a friendly but solid competition to accomplish the task in 40 days. They did that and then some! “Without hesitation, I have never been part of such a team effort with incredible vision and clarity to accomplish a very aggressive task. It was logistically and methodically planned and every one was on board from start to finish. This was one of the best, if not THE best, constructed restaurants I have been a part of” said Jeff Bennett.

Along with their drive, devotion and determination to get this job done, they had a little help from above with perfect weather every day but one … a true team effort!!