Waterbury, Conn. – Wing It On!, a New England-based wing joint, has formed a strategic franchising initiative that will accelerate its U.S. expansion. With 12 locations open and in development, Wing It On! has now set its sights on targeted franchise growth, zeroing in on key regions throughout the Northeastern and Southeastern sections of the United States. “We’ve been patient with our growth, primarily because we wanted to give all of our energy to our fans and the business at our first few locations. In the last 18 months or …
franchise development
Lexington, Ky. — A&W Restaurants posted double-digit, year-over-year sales in May, with some franchise locations doubling their sales. Other burger chains, on average, managed only a 2% increase, according to Black Box Intelligence. The iconic brand’s performance comes as it reduces royalties for new franchisees. The incentive program lowers royalties in the first year of all new development agreements from the standard 5% to 3%. Second year royalties are 4%. Initial fees on multi-unit agreements also are being discounted. “The incentives give franchisees extra cushion in their first few years …
Cincinnati — Pet Wants®, the Cincinnati-based high-quality pet food and supplies franchise, has hit a major milestone: reaching 100 franchise locations. The 100 franchise units — 25 retail stores and 75 mobile operations — all offer free delivery, making the company uniquely positioned to thrive during the COVID-19 pandemic. “Less than 20% of franchise brands reach the 100-location milestone and Pet Wants has been able to do it in just 5 years. That success was achieved not only because of the company’s great story and fantastic products, but also because …
Irvine, Calif. — Wienerschnitzel, the world’s largest hot dog franchise, has signed a new area development agreement with Lake Charles, La.-based Henderson Family Restaurants, LLC to build 20 new Wienerschnitzel restaurants throughout the state of Louisiana over the next 13 years. Since 1961, Wienerschnitzel has become the nation’s largest hot dog quick-service chain, and with the integration of the iconic Tastee Freeze ice cream, the California-based franchise system has seen 8 years of consecutive same store sales growth. Wienerschnitzel is actively expanding outside its historic footprint and is targeting new …
Savannah, Ga. — Stoner’s Pizza Joint, a quick-service pizza franchise, will expand with three new units from existing franchisee John Stetson in the Georgia market. The first new location, which was slated to open on May 20, is located in Warner Robins, Ga. The next two will open in the Savannah, Ga., market before mid-July. “Since opening my first Stoner’s in Fort Lauderdale, I have been impressed with the consumer’s response to the product and branding,” says Stetson. “The brand appeals to a wide audience of customers who enjoy fresh, …
Durham, N.C. — Rise Southern Biscuits and Righteous Chicken, the nation’s fastest growing biscuits and fried chicken chain with over 100 units in development across the country, has signed an area development agreement for the state of Virginia. BDVA Holdings, LLC has committed to opening at least 25 Rise locations throughout Virginia over the next 9 years. “We’re confident in the economics of Rise to drive sales through delivery and pickup during and after this crisis,” says BDVA’s Nash Osborn. “Tom Ferguson, founder and CEO of Rise, has created a …
Cleveland — Slim Chickens, a leading fast-casual franchise which features dine-in and drive-through in the “better chicken” segment, will open its first location in Cleveland in the first quarter of 2021. The forthcoming restaurant comes out of the brand’s recent six-unit franchise agreement in the Cleveland market. This will mark the brand’s first location in the Cleveland market and second location in Ohio. An experienced restaurant operator, David Giesen is bringing Slim Chickens to the area. He is a multi-unit owner of several fast food and fast-casual restaurants across Ohio …
Birmingham, Ala. — Slim Chickens, a leading fast-casual franchise which features dine-in and drive-thru in the “better chicken” segment, will open its first location in Alabama in fourth quarter 2020. The forthcoming restaurant comes out of the brand’s recent multi-unit franchise agreement in the Birmingham market. Jeff and Andrea Goldt are the franchisees bringing Slim Chickens to the state and are multi-unit owners in the greater Atlanta area. The couple owns multiple fast-food restaurant franchises and has more than 25 years of restaurant ownership experience. “The Goldts are exactly the …
— By Katie Lee — Tropical Smoothie Cafe has opened more than 100 restaurants each year for the past 3 years — and continues to grow on pace to reach 1,000 locations by 2021. When Retail & Restaurant Facility Business last interviewed Tropical Smoothie Cafe (TSC) more than 3 years ago, we were talking about its milestone 500th location. Now, with more than 830 cafes open — 124 opened in 2019 alone — the fast-growing concept remains on track to reach 1,000 locations in 2021 and 1,500 locations …
Louisville, Ky. — Yum! Brands, Inc. has acquired The Habit Restaurants, Inc., following the approval by The Habit Burger Grill stockholders. The transaction marks the addition of the first fast-casual concept to Yum! Brands’ portfolio of iconic global restaurant brands. The acquisition of The Habit Burger Grill adds an award-winning fast-casual concept with a loyal fan-base to Yum! Brands, the world’s largest restaurant company in terms of units and parent of KFC, Pizza Hut and Taco Bell. Founded in California in 1969, The Habit Burger Grill offers a flavor-forward variety …