BK debuts new restaurant prototype in Texas

Nation's Restaurant News, June 8, 2009

SPRING, TEXAS -- Burger King Corp. unveiled the brand's new restaurant design at the opening of a franchised store here. The new 60-seat unit in the Houston suburb is run by franchisees Amin and Shoukat Dhanani, who said they plan to open more Burger King locations with the new design. The new prototype's exterior features signage incorporating the company's "Home of the Whopper" and "Have It Your Way" slogans as well as patio seating and a drive-thru enhanced by a waterfall and fountain. In addition, the roof is lined with red parapet lights that mimic flames. The restaurant's interior includes such high-tech touches as LCD menu screens, free Wi-Fi and interactive game kiosks for children.

The restaurant also features Burger King's new flexible batch broiler, which the chain is rolling out systemwide. BK has said the new broiler would allow it to expand its menu with such items as extra-thick burgers, bone-in-ribs and grilled fish and chicken sandwiches. The broiler cuts gas consumption and related costs by 52 percent, compared with previous broilers, while also reducing the consumption and cost of electricity by 90 percent, Burger King said. The Dhananis company, Houston Foods Inc., owns more than 30 Burger King units throughout Texas.