Patina Group, owned and operated as a subsidiary of Delaware North, has cut the ribbon on a very exciting new corporate venture – Hencraft. Hencraft, a fast-casual chicken eatery located next to Starbucks at 235 Delaware Avenue (corner of Chippewa), is essentially considered a test kitchen concept for the company. What does that mean? It means that in six months, that same location could very well be transitioned to fast-casual Mexican food concept. Seriously.
The point of this incubator space is to test drive eatery concepts. As for Hencraft, Patina Group has already identified four locations where the concept will roll out, once 235 Delaware Avenue location serves its purpose. One will be at KeyBank Center (concessions operated by Delaware North Sportservice), while three others are being targeted somewhere in the US.
As for the purpose of Hencraft’s 235 Delaware Avenue location, it is there to ensure that everything runs smoothly, before the concept is rolled out to other locations. Patina Group will monitor the operation, and make adjustments accordingly. The location will be a real time indicator of how the concept is being received, what sort of volume to expect, how the supply chain works, and how customers are reacting to the menu, including the craft chicken sandwiches and the scratch dipping sauces.
These new eatery concepts being launched at 235 Delaware Avenue location are being built to scale. And yes, Patina Group is currently preparing for a Mexican concept, which is on deck. This methodology gives a whole new meaning to the saying, “Born In Buffalo.”
As for Hencraft, it is being launched into the galaxy to compete in the chicken wars. Thankfully, Delaware North headquarters is located right across the street, which means that the “big guns” will be able to provide all the support necessary, while directly overlooking its fledgling chicken concept as it incubates…