Franchise Opens One Month Earlier
TROY, Mich., May 13, 2008 – Champion, the leader in factory-built construction, today announced
that its modular building process was chosen by Winchester Modular Housing, Inc. of Winsted, Conn. to
help build a quick-service restaurant (QSR) in a tight, eight-week timeline. The efforts put the
restaurant in business one month sooner than if traditional site-building methods had been used.
“The only way we could achieve the eight-week deadline was by using modular construction. It would
have taken much longer to build traditionally on-site,” said Brent St. John, CEO of Winchester Modular
Housing, Inc. who selected Champion’s New Era Building Systems, Inc. in Strattanville, Pa. for this
commercial project.
Having been a customer for many years, St. John was well aware of the many benefits Champion’s
modular construction brings to his building projects. “The rapid build speed and the high quality of
product were exactly what were needed for this project. I knew these would transfer to a commercial
structure as well.”
When St. John contacted Champion’s New Era facility about the project, the team was able to start
immediately. Having previously worked with another builder to complete a QSR structure, the
Company knew what needed to be done and how to get it done quickly. It incorporated additional floor
support which is needed in busy, high traffic restaurant environments and modified the roof system for
the taller ceiling height specified.
It was less than seven weeks from our initial meeting with Winchester until the time the building was
installed on its foundation,” said Scott Peters, sales manager of Champion’s New Era Building Systems.
“We made design adjustments and secured approvals in three weeks, built the modules in the factory in
two weeks, delivered them within a week, and they were installed on the foundation in a day and a half.”
With a majority of the structure’s construction work being done in the factory, St. John had the time and
space needed to prepare the building site, pour the footings/foundation and secure additional completion
materials and approvals. “After the modules were delivered and installed, there was still enough time for
me to do the required finish work to meet the eight-week deadline,” said St. John.
The modular structure is an approximately 1,800-square-foot, cape-cod style building, produced in two
units and, as with all modular structures, built to local building codes. Its foundation incorporates a
crawl space, much to the appreciation of John Griffey, Winchester’s customer and the franchise owner.
“The crawl space on this modular restaurant makes any utility work, future additions and remodels much
easier,” said Griffey. “My other 17 restaurants were site-built on concrete slabs which has made updates
and repairs more difficult.”
Now operating out of his modular-built QSR franchise, Griffey commented: “the modular building
process saved me 30 days over previous site-built experiences, so I’m very pleased. This was my first
building using modular construction, and I plan to continue to use this approach going forward, in every
situation possible. I’d recommend using it to any franchise.”
Across the country, Champion provides modular solutions for a variety of commercial purposes
including: hotels and resorts, apartments, college dormitories, military housing, mixed-use (residential
over retail) developments, franchise restaurants, day care centers, bank branches and assisted living
facilities.
About Winchester
Winchester Modular Housing, Inc. is located in Winsted, Connecticut. The Company services the entire
state as well as portions of Massachusetts. It has over 15 years experience in modular construction,
including working with the Corporation for Independent Living to build handicap friendly homes. For
more information, please visit www.winchestermodular.com.
About Champion
Troy, Michigan-based Champion, a leader in factory-built housing and the nation’s largest builder of
modular homes, operates 31 manufacturing facilities in North America and the United Kingdom
working with independent retailers, builders and developers. The Champion family of builders produces
manufactured and modular homes, as well as modular buildings for government and commercial
applications. For more information, please visit www.championhomes.com.
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Contact: Christine Fisher
pushtwentytwo
248-335-9500 x30
cfisher@pushtwentytwo.com