Shakey’s Potato Corner opens 2000th store

Shakey’s [PIZZA 9.49, down 0.1%; 32% avgVol] [link] celebrated the 2000th worldwide store opening of its subsidiary, Potato Corner (PotCor). The newest location is in SM Cebu, and is of a “new experiential store format” (XP) with an “expanded menu” and “branded merchandising” available in-store. This new configuration uses a larger footprint that includes dedicated retail space. PIZZA said that the first of this store type was opened in Glorietta mall in July, and that this store is the second of the “XP” format. PotCor has expanded rapidly using the franchise model, and through positive word-of-mouth finding its way to potential franchisees.

MB bottom-line:  Potato Corner is one of my personal favorites. I have fantastic memories of sharing an order of Giga Fries with my family when we’d visit Star City or Mall of Asia back before the pandemic. He’s older now and isn’t into sharing a massive pile of fries with his father as he once was, but such is life. That hasn’t stopped me from smiling each time I see the nearly-demented eyes of the PotCor mascot emphatically calling me over to consume its brothers and sisters. The brand loyalty that I have for this company is exactly what every fast food company tries to build with families. Companies try to get parents to associate the food with the good times they had with their children, and to get the children to associate the food with the warm, safe, simple times they had with their parents. Mission accomplished, PotCor. Mission accomplished. One of the best fast-food acquisitions in recent memory. Well, I guess I know what I’m having for lunch today.

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