Finding the right Commercial Architect for your Franchise

As a Franchise, you demand a lot from your Architectural and Engineering Team. 

Franchises are a unique client for a Commercial Architect.  The brand needs to maintain its consistency, yet look for efficiencies where ever possible.  The standards are constantly evolving - especially with the current state of the Supply Chain.  There are challenges bringing the brand to life in different Tenant Fit Out spaces while keeping the customer experience consistent and relatable across all locations.

The best way to ensure all of these nuances get applied to the growth of your brand? Solidify a designated Brand Architect.  Having a Brand Architect empowers the firm to take a deep dive into your concept; truly acting as your advocate in the design of each location.  

After years in the industry, our Founder + CEO Joe Blommel has put together this 'cheat sheet' summarizing what the Spark team looks for when recommending a Commercial Architect, with the goal being they end up being your Brand Architect!  Keep scrolling for more information. 

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Commercial Architectural Team for Franchising Checklist

Is the Architect:

• Local
• Regional
• National

Do they have an understanding of the Brand Standards?

• Re-teaching the architect and the cost associated
• what they may miss in the plans due to a lack of brand knowledge
• Responsibility Matrix - incorrect or non-existent (may cause delays in ordering materials, especially with the lead times)

Who takes responsibility for the hours spent reviewing the documents?

• Will the Brand Architect take on that cost?
• If not, will it be differed to the Construction Management team? 
• can your Internal Corporate team review them if needed?

Learning Curve

• How many locations does it take for this Architect to become efficient with the brand and the standards?
• What is the potential lost time getting up to speed/developing brand efficiencies?

Working Relationship

• Corporate
• Third Part Vendors - Signage, equipment, furniture, and fixtures
• Construction Management teams

Cost

• Be careful of the fine print! Sometimes a local Architect's initial proposal will *look* cheaper, but will cost more in the long run.
• Is the proposal inclusive of:
  • Architecture
  • Engineering
  • Permit Submittal
  • Responding and acting upon review comments from the city
  • Responding to RFI's and clarifications from General Contractors, Sub-Contractors, and third party vendors
  • These costs can add thousands of dollars to your project.

Permitting 

• If your city/region is notorious for a difficult permitting process, there is intrinsic value to hiring a local architect and engineer purely for their relationships within the permitting jurisdiction.  This can inherently lead to shorter lead times and take weeks off of your construction schedule.  This may look like your Brand Architect sharing their schematics for the local Architect to move through permitting. 
• Will a permit expeditor be required?
  • If so, have they worked with expeditors in the past?
  • Do they have a good relationship with expeditors in the area? If not, could be a red flag for their communication abilities.
    
    

Capacity

• Above all: does the Architectural and Engineering team have the capacity for not only your project, but potentially your brand and it's growth?
• Can they solidify expected completion dates and sign off on language in the proposal that includes penalties (financial) for missing said deadlines? 

Summary