A multibranded KFC/Taco Bell restaurant's grand opening in Kodiak, Alaska, last year set a Yum! Brands' corporate record, not only for its opening day but for the following weeks as well. Now, the corporation is using the store as a test for more possible rural openings, according to a story in the Kodiak Daily Mirror.
Franchisee Dan Rohrer worked for two years to bring the store to Kodiak, having to convince Yum! that the store could succeed there after an earlier KFC had closed. In the end, he said it was worth it to change Yum!'s mindset about opening in small towns.
From the Kodiak Daily Mirror:
"Our grand opening here has set the tone for rural communities across the West, particularly the Midwest," Rohrer said. "They've had an easier time getting new franchises, which is really exciting, because (Yum!) used to be totally opposed to going into rural areas. They figured they weren't moneymakers, etc."Rohrer added, "We knew we'd have a good grand opening, but to have it be as strong as what it was — it was a really great opportunity to go back to Yum! Brands and say (they) have really been missing some opportunities to go across the United States in small, rural communities where there aren't a lot of eating options. If they come rolling into town with a KFC/Taco Bell, it'll be huge."
