I would be SHOCKED if it took them that long to start building. They seem to be saying it will be faster. But who knows. But I've seen restaurants expand much more quickly than 2 years. But we'll see. Zac
Noland described that scenario to me but then noted that he's a rule-breaker as he showed with Chuck E. Cheese (200+ restaurants in 5 years starting from scratch). His monopoly-power region plan is what he thinks will break the general franchising rule (again).
In exchange for this monopoly power, the franchisee is required to build 1 franchise per year. Not sit on his hands and wait and see. Otherwise they wouldn't be selling regions.
On a side note, the uWink restaurant is going to be constantly going through change. The novelty will be ever-changing.