Efficient management of Capex and the constant challenge of expansion are crucial for retail companies like Alife Nino, which combines restaurants and entertainment to create unique experiences for its customers. Engineering Director Beatriz Mariane de Paula reveals in her talk at the 9th Edition of Retail Expansion by Construct IN how the group transforms challenges into opportunities, balancing rapid expansion with personalization and efficiency.

Beatriz, who started as a coordinator and is now the engineering director of the group, spoke about the strategies for managing expansion works and the obstacles overcome since the merger of the Alife and Família Nino groups in 2021.

Growth and Expansion

The Alife Nino Group has expanded, over the last 3 years, from 25 to 47 stores. With new plans and acquisitions in sight, they want to accelerate this process reaching 87 units by the end of 2024.

In the bar sector, the group stands out for having well-known brands like Tatu Bola, Eu Tu Eles, Boa Praça, A Toca do Tatu, and Tatuzinho, and in restaurants, it brings together award-winning brands in Brazilian gastronomy, such as Nino, Da Marino, Giulietta, Ninetto Cuccina, among many others.

Focusing on highly personalized projects for each store, the group has been facing challenges in scaling the volume of works for opening new units. This strategy allowed each space to reflect a unique identity, but also resulted in significantly higher costs per unit due to the lack of standardization in construction and design.

Now, with bolder expansion plans, the company is restructuring its engineering area to meet the demand of the new projects.

Challenges of Standardization

One of the main challenges faced by the Alife Nino Group in its expansion journey has been standardizing the stores without compromising the authenticity and uniqueness that each restaurant offers. The essence of the brand lies in ensuring that, despite the growth and replication in various locations, each establishment maintains a distinct character that reflects the local culture and environment.

To address this challenge, a flexible standardization strategy was implemented, allowing controlled variations in decoration and layout according to the specifics of each region. 

With this goal, stricter criteria were adopted to standardize the stores without losing the essence of each location. They defined three store sizes - small, medium, and large - with clear specifications for square footage and seating capacity, adapted to the sales expectations of each unit.

Another change includes the standardization of the list of equipment and materials used, ensuring consistency and quality throughout the network. This not only facilitated a faster and more efficient expansion but also reduced operational costs.

The new approach ensures that all restaurants follow a standard of quality and efficiency while retaining unique elements that differentiate them. Continuous collaboration with designers and architects is crucial for each new space to be both a representation of the brand and a reflection of its surroundings.

Ultimately, the balance between uniformity and individuality is essential to preserving the identity of Alife Nino as the network continues to expand. Through this methodology, the group can not only maintain the authenticity of its restaurants but also strengthen its presence in the market, offering customers a differentiated experience with each visit.

Technological Innovation and Strategic Management

With solutions from Construct IN, the Alife Nino group has significantly improved remote management. The platform's tools facilitated monitoring works from a distance, allowing effective comparisons between the various phases of the project, resulting in resource optimization and cost reduction. 

It also improved transparency in the relationship with outsourced builders in various regions, as it allows for documentation of the execution of the work in 360º. Thus, the group’s engineering team, responsible for overseeing and monitoring the work of the construction companies, can have a real view of the construction stage from a distance, reducing the number of trips necessary for management, as well as reducing rework and identifying problems in the early phases. 

“Construct IN is a great gain for us. Remote management significantly reduces our costs with travel and even labor hours. We can monitor the work without needing to travel to the field every week. It is a tool that has been helping greatly in overall management,” emphasizes Beatriz, engineering director of the Group.

Vision for the Future

In conclusion, the executive emphasizes the importance of an innovative and adaptive vision for continuous expansion, highlighting the dynamism of the retail market. Alife Nino, although still growing, aspires to a prominent position in the market, valuing each stage of its evolution.

The case of Alife Nino illustrates how effective management, aligned with innovation and sustainability, can transform challenges into opportunities for expansion and consolidation in the market.

Watch Beatriz's chat with our CEO, Tales Silva, and understand a bit more about the challenges faced and how the Alife Nino Group resolves them practically.

The Retail Expansion Event

The Retail Expansion is more than an event; it is a collaborative network that aims to drive efficiency, innovation, Capex reduction, and excellence in the engineering, maintenance, and expansion sectors of retail and service companies. 

By bringing together executives from the industry, we seek to discuss challenges, share best practices, and explore trends, all in an environment conducive to networking and exchanging experiences.

The 9th edition of Retail Expansion by Construct IN took place on March 20th, at State Innovation - São Paulo, bringing together various professionals and executives from the construction sector of retail and expanding companies.

In addition to the presentation by the Alife Nino Group, the event featured more innovations with the participation of Proptech More.co, a company that offers subscription plans for modular properties, eliminating the need for capital for entrepreneurs and simplifying the construction process.


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