M.Sc. (Geography) / Republiek Voedsel (Edms) Bpk. was established in 1981 with the purpose of owning and operating KFC restaurants in South Africa and today successfully operates 40 KFC restaurants in Gauteng, the Free State, Northern Cape and North-West Province. This study endeavoured to create a model that could be used as an instrument to ensure that all possible variables influencing the selection of a site were considered when deciding where to build a KFC restaurant. The creation and use of an analogue data base containing the market variables, operational requirements and financial performance of all the Company's restaurants were fundamental to the success of the model. In general, the model should enable the researcher to identify under-utilized as well as non-utilized markets. Shortcomings in respect of existing restaurants and missed opportunities in the market area would be identified and exploited for the benefit of the market population and KFC/Republiek Voedsel. The specific purpose of this study was to test the validity of the proposed site selection model in the town of Edenvale, where the existing KFC is more than 10 years old. The market population characteristics, trade zone borders, market competition and traffic generators, all factors that influence the purchase pattern of the existing KFC customer base, were determined through a sample study.

Within the past few decades, commuter rail routes in several major metropolitan areas have been implemented to provide an alternative to automobile transportation. Urban planners in these cities are looking to commuter rail to mitigate congestion and pollution. However, research on the impacts of commuter rail development on the surrounding retail landscape is still needed. In metropolitan Dallas-Fort Worth, the Denton County Transportation Authority recently opened its new A-Train light rail service linking suburban Denton and downtown Dallas. This thesis examines urban changes that occurred in the years before and after the A-Train line's 2011 opening, with a focus on restaurant and retail development in the vicinity of the A-Train stations in Denton County. This analysis evaluates changes in retail density and type, the population surrounding stations, and municipal initiatives that shape the retail landscape of station vicinities. This was done by gathering field data, retailer listings, population data, and conducting interviews with local businesses and city planners. The findings suggest that A-train stations have had a differential impact on the surrounding landscape, depending on the existing retail landscape, the types of retailers present, and the current state of municipal infrastructure that promotes accessibility. Overall, results suggest that urban planners play a vital role in harnessing the potential of commuter rail to promote nearby retail growth.