Chains eye smaller layouts with an eye toward efficiency

Restaurants are prioritizing efficiency amid rising operating costs and the shift to off-premises dining, fueling many chains to focus on creating streamlined stores with smaller footprints. Krystal shaved 300 square feet off of its average store size with one new prototype, Jack in the Box and Taco John’s are among the chains that now boast drive-thru-only locations, and Quiznos has created a 650-square-foot prefab unit that’s assembled on-site. Restaurant Business