Brand Experience Briefs capture insights and analysis from Denise’s audits of new and interesting retail and restaurant concepts.

brand experience brief: Modmarket

Modmarket was named one of the top 5 hot concepts of the year by Nation’s Restaurant News — what distinguishes it from the other fast casual restaurants serving better-for-you food? Check out this brand experience brief.

brand experience brief: Nike and New Balance

The New Balance and Nike stores across the street from each other in New York City’s Flatiron district deliver unique brand experiences in their own way.

brand experience brief: patagonia’s tin shed

insights and photos from Patagonia’s new retail concept, Tin Shed, by Denise Lee Yohn. The head of retail marketing at Patagonia, Vickie Achee calls Tin Shed “a grand experiment” for the company.

brand experience brief: Pei Wei Asian Market

Many fast-casual restaurant start-ups are trying to copy Chipotle, so it’s refreshing to experience one that does things it’s own way.  Pei Wei Asian Market, the newest concept from P.F. Chang’s China Bistro, offers a cool environment, innovative menu items, and affordable prices.  Check out this brief on the brand experience that’s not like Chipotle.

brand experience brief: Pie-o-logy

Pie-o-logy, a new pizzeria concept inspired by Chipotle, delivers a remarkable brand experience — check out my video audit of the Fullerton, CA, restaurant.

brand experience brief: PIRCH

PIRCH, the new Fixtures Living, shows how you can transcend your category and create an emotional, memorable, and distinctive customer experience, even if you sell seemingly mundane items like dishwashers and backsplashes.

brand experience brief: Pizza Cucinova

The company behind Sbarro has created a new fast casual pizza concept, Pizza Cucinova. It’s a higher end customer experience than most brands aspiring to become the “Chipotle of pizza.”

brand experience brief: Protein Bar

Everyone, it seems, is trying to figure out the healthy fast casual business.  From LYFE Kitchen in California to Energy Kitchen in New York, there are dozens of budding concepts attempting to make it big by tapping into consumers’ desire for food that’s fast and good.  How is Protein Bar in Chicago faring?  Check out this video briefing:

brand experience brief: Radio Shack Interactive

Interactive, a new store format from Radio Shack, presents the best of what Radio Shack has to offer including mobile repair service “Fix It Here!”

brand experience brief: REI in SOHO

REI’s first store in New York City is the quintessential flagship store – it’s big, it’s in aprominent location, and it showcases the brand like no other retail store. Here’s my video recap of this extraordinary experience.