About Champion

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.