— Interview by Katie Lee — Demand for pets — and pet supplies — soared during the pandemic. Here’s how Pet Supplies Plus is meeting the moment. Raise your hand if you adopted a new pet during the pandemic! If you’re like many Americans, you took advantage of the extra time at home, and not traveling, to bond with a new four-legged friend — and you needed pet supplies. The pet industry boomed over the past 12 months, and Pet Supplies Plus (PSP) is the first to …
Boca Raton, Fla. — I Heart Mac & Cheese, a fast-casual concept specializing in customizable, made-to-order macaroni and cheese bowls and grilled cheese sandwiches, has signed 12 franchise agreements with seven new franchisees throughout the first quarter of 2021. In addition, the brand has opened three restaurants in Indiana, Georgia and New York, with 30 additional openings planned by the end of the year. “I Heart Mac & Cheese is a unique and attractive franchise concept that is really resonating with aspiring entrepreneurs — including those from many diverse backgrounds …
Albuquerque — Slim Chickens, a leading fast-casual franchise which features dine-in and drive-thru in the “better chicken” segment, has signed a multi-unit agreement with Dennis Ekstrom to develop 10 restaurants across New Mexico and in El Paso, Texas. The first location is slated to open in 2021. New Mexico cities being pursued by Ekstrom include Albuquerque, Santa Fe and Las Cruces. Ekstrom is a multi-unit owner of 10 Del Taco restaurants and has more than 30 years of restaurant ownership experience. “Dennis is exactly the kind of franchisee we’re seeking …
Newport Beach, Calif. — Mountain Mike’s Pizza, LLC, a leading family-style pizza chain for over 40 years, has started 2021 strong with first quarter same-store-sales (SSS) up 23.4% over 2020. This news closely follows Mountain Mike’s reporting that 2020 was the brand’s best year ever in terms of sales and growth. Along with steady sales increases in Q1, Mountain Mike’s opened six new restaurants and secured 13 new franchise commitments consisting of three multi-unit out-of-state agreements to open restaurants in Utah, Idaho and Colorado. Additional franchise deals are in development …
Houston — Aloha Poke Co., a premier fast-casual poke restaurant concept, plans 11 new locations in the Houston metro market by 2025. The Houston expansion nearly doubles Aloha Poke’s total franchise location holdings and is the first move into the Texas market. This first wave of development in the Lone Star State leads a long term development plan across other metroplex areas including Dallas/Fort Worth and Austin. “Aloha Poke Co is excited and extremely proud to launch into Texas with these first stores already in development within the Houston market,” …
Dallas — Throughout the first quarter, Dickey’s Barbecue Pit signed 67 franchise agreements to its pipeline throughout Colorado, Florida, Texas, Washington, California, Tennessee, Arizona, Michigan, Montana and Oklahoma. Among the deals, existing franchisees in Cincinnati and Southern California signed on to further expand their Dickey’s portfolio. Along with executing several development deals, the family-owned franchise opened 60 new locations across 13 states during the first quarter. Additionally, Dickey’s celebrated the revitalization of its non-traditional franchise model when its 95th convenience store location opened in Carrollton, Texas. “With 80 years of …
Broomfield, Colo. — Noodles & Company has targeted at least 7% systemwide unit growth beginning in 2022 and is leveraging franchise development to help meet that goal. Despite the many challenges the pandemic posed on the restaurant industry, Noodles was agile and quick to adapt, thanks to its pre-pandemic focus on enhancing digital capabilities for off-premise business. Noodles & Company currently has nearly 450 locations across 29 states. In 2020, Noodles & Company saw a 128% increase in digital sales, which accounted for 62% of sales. Prior to the pandemic, …
Atlanta — Cinnaholic, the brand that sparked a nationwide love affair with gourmet cinnamon rolls on ABC’s hit show, “Shark Tank,” is accelerating its expansion plans and is set to open 20 new locations across the country this year and another 80 locations by 2025. With 54 locations open and 60 in development, Cinnaholic has set its sights on targeted franchise growth, zeroing in on key markets throughout the United States including Indianapolis, Dallas, Houston, Chicago, Austin, Tampa, Orlando, and Nashville. “Our franchise model has proven successful time and time …
New York City — Shake Shack Inc. has announced that Tara Comonte, president and chief financial officer for the last 4 years, will depart the company in May to become CEO of a private company outside of the restaurant industry. Comonte, who joined Shake Shack in 2017, will remain in her current role through May 7, 2021 to oversee the company’s fiscal first quarter 2021 reporting period and ensure a thorough transition of her responsibilities. The company is in the process of retaining a firm to manage the search for …
Irvine, Calif. — On April 14, 2021, Taco Bell® opened a new Cantina in the heart of Times Square. Built with the energy and on-the-go vibrance of the city in mind, the newest restaurant embraces technology in a whole new way to serve the demands of New Yorkers. Features of the new space include: Digital-only ordering with prominent menu kiosks inside the restaurant. The restaurant’s 10 kiosks replace traditional analog menu boards. Order ahead pickup cubbies, located in a separate double-door entrance, allow customers to skip the traditional restaurant experience …
