from which to deliver successful projects was the key to our selection by the SONIC Team for this first project in eastern Cincinnati.

Originally considered only to facilitate the zoning process, K4 was quickly tapped to provide a design/build solution as well. Our extensive experience in knowing the ins and outs of pushing heavily Branded Places through municipalities was essential to opening SONIC’s locations.

Key to the K4 process is researching and understanding the concerns of the municipality. Knowing their code, understanding their process, and even understanding some of the issues that have shaped their code help us draw up a game plan. Early involvement with the municipalities often turns a potential adversary into a partner, as the zoning governance appreciates the respect K4 affords them by involving them in the process. This partnership coupled with the strength of a design/build team usually results in a successful navigation of the issues.

In those few instances where the challenge is greater than anticipated, K4’s approach is to prepare a case to zoning that is based upon the context of the immediate surroundings and set precedents before the respective board designed to promote a favorable outcome for our client. This approach has been highly successful as long as the precedents are substantive. It is difficult for a board to rule against a well-made case. In every process - good, bad, or ugly - there is also the last vestige of persuasion, good old fashioned horse trading. In those instances, it is a good bet to pre-load your request with some things you don’t necessarily need in the instance that you may have to trade something for something. And who knows, sometimes you come out further ahead just by asking the question.

In today’s fast paced world of outmaneuvering the competition for the right piece of Real Estate, delivering a new restaurant into an existing market often means an uphill battle with the local signing and zoning board. And when that new restaurant is SONIC, a brand devoted to high-energy colors, extensive canopy elements, and signage, the battle can be an easy one to retreat from.

More and more, zoning is restricting the amount of

allowable signage on any building type - from hospitals to hospitality. The restrictive nature extends beyond the traditional familiarity of what a sign is, to considering strong contrasting colors with a relationship to the prime brand colors as signage, as well as certain elements such as canopies and awnings. This growing zoning “creep” (and not just the guy you are thinking about) is more painfully felt by those businesses that rely on heavily branded images and signage to attract the passing traffic of ardent consumers, like SONIC.

The strong SONIC brand and identity is tied directly to its use of canopies and signage and presents a challenge to most zoning guidelines walking in the door. So how does a SONIC Restaurant franchisee consistently obtain zoning approvals from multiple governing agencies in the many different locations that meet the demographics required to ensure their success? In short, perseverance and a good design/build partner.

K4’s ability to provide a Total Solutions platform

K4 is a Total Solutions company that provides tremendous resources to commerce-driven projects challenged with rolling out multiple new locations in a short time frame. Our ability to assist in the management of roll-out programs provides a level of reporting and accountability that streamlines the process to your benefit. Our focus is Speed-to-Market. Delivering a strong quality project on time and on budget is the core of what we do.

K4 provides services through our Architecture, Interior Design, Site IQ (Investigations/ Qualifications) and Construction Divisions.

We provide all or some of these services depending upon your needs. Our strategy to deliver Branded Places is focused on providing an integrated service approach, combining the problem-solving creativity of a large Architectural and Design firm with the implemen-



tation ability of a strong Construction company. This effective service approach streamlines the time element to deliver a project and improves the communication and team effort to do multiple projects successfully.

Click here to read more about K4 and the services we provide.

Did you know? You can order more than 168,000 drink combinations at SONIC! Learn more about SONIC.