Los Angeles — The Dolly Llama, the waffle and artisanal ice cream destination with three locations currently open in L.A. and three more in development, has signed a 4-unit franchise deal that includes the brand’s entry into Nevada. One Nevada unit is planned for Reno, and another in Lake Tahoe; The Dolly Llama also plans two units in Sacramento. The brand aims to open all four locations in early 2022, along with the existing units currently in development in Bethlehem, Pa., Jacksonville, Fla., and Dallas. “This year has been a …
franchise development
Los Angeles — FAT (Fresh. Authentic. Tasty.) Brands Inc. has agreed to acquire Native Grill & Wings, an Arizona-based restaurant chain, for $20 million from Wingtime, LLC, a subsidiary of Cybeck Capital Partners, LLC. Marking FAT Brands’ third chicken wing concept, the acquisition of Native Grill & Wings will be funded with cash from the issuance of new notes from the company’s securitization facilities and is expected to close in mid-December 2021. With the acquisition of Native Grill & Wings, FAT Brands will have more than 2,300 franchised and corporate-owned …
Dallas — Slim Chickens has inked a deal to bring 10 locations to cities throughout greater Dallas. Farouk Jamal and Ali Poonja of Slim Brothers will be bringing the restaurants to Collin and Denton counties in fourth quarter 2022. “After connecting with franchise owners in the system and learning about their experience owning Slims, we knew we had to be a part of the chicken segment,” says Jamal. “We’re excited to join an emerging brand that is growing rapidly, and we’re ready to hit the ground running.” Jamal and Poonja …
Scottsdale, Ariz. — Savory Fund has invested in the popular brunch concept, Hash Kitchen. The Scottsdale, Ariz.-based chain creatively designed around a social dining experience is the latest brand to attract growth capital from Mercato Partners’ $200 million Savory Restaurant Fund, which was formed to back promising emerging restaurant concepts. Founded in 2015 by celebrity chef Joey Maggiore, his wife Cristina and partner Flora Tersigni of The Maggiore Group, Hash Kitchen’s menu features high-quality and next-level breakfast and boozy brunch offerings. Its chef-driven, curated menu is distinctively paired with an …
Livonia, Mich. — Pet Supplies Plus, the largest independent pet retailer in North America, has enjoyed consistent year-over-year growth with 97 new store commitments signed year-to-date for 2021. “Entrepreneurs are going all-in to join the pet retail category,” says Chris Rowland, CEO of Pet Supplies Plus. “We provide new and existing owners a full support team and franchise model designed to meet all of their purchasing, marketing, and supply chain needs as well as e-commerce capabilities, delivery from store, an Autoship subscription program, and enhanced reward program. Our model allows …
Charlotte, N.C. — Clean Juice, the first and only national USDA-certified organic juice bar franchise and quick-service restaurant, has demonstrated another quarter of impressive guest count and sales growth. “Despite these record-breaking successes and forward-moving gains, we still feel as if we are just getting started, and we’re certainly not stopping,” says Landon Eckles, CEO, Clean Juice. “As cold weather and early sunsets encroach, and we spend more time celebrating the holiday season with our family and friends — and that typically revolves around food — Clean Juice remains focused …
Wichita, Kan. — Freddy’s Frozen Custard & Steakburgers has signed four new multi-unit agreements with new and existing operators to bring more than a dozen new restaurants to New Jersey, Texas, Indiana, Kentucky, Tennessee and South Dakota. Year-to-date, Freddy’s has executed a total of 13 multi-unit agreements adding nearly 70 new restaurants to the brand’s overall development pipeline. With additional openings slated to take place through the end of fourth quarter, the brand is on track to open over 35 locations this year. “Freddy’s commitment to the success of our …
Hartland, Wis. — In response to the strong third quarter which saw the signing of 20 new store agreements, bringing the brand’s total signings for the year to 66, Batteries Plus has made substantial additions and promotions to its store development team. Kirtis Hill has been promoted to chief retail growth officer. In this new role, he will be working directly with franchisees to optimize store growth in markets nationwide, while providing leadership to enterprise teams working on high-priority strategic initiatives to drive sales and profitability. “Kirtis’ background in both strategy and …
Orlando, Fla. — Another Broken Egg Cafe, a full-service breakfast, brunch and lunch franchise that specializes in Southern-inspired menu options and creative cocktails, has now opened over 20 new cafes with its New South design prototype and completed 13 remodels of existing restaurants. The new and remodeled cafes are outperforming the system, and plans are underway for more company and franchise remodels throughout next year and beyond. First introduced in spring 2019, Another Broken Egg Cafe’s new design significantly highlights the brand’s full bar and doubles bar seating by providing …
Los Angeles — FAT (Fresh. Authentic. Tasty.) Brands Inc., parent company of Fatburger, Buffalo’s Express and 13 other restaurant concepts, is heading to Illinois with a newly inked deal in partnership with A.D.T.J. Development LLC to open 25 Fatburger and Buffalo’s Express stores throughout the state of Illinois — in particular, in Chicago and the surrounding area. The locations are slated to open over the next 8 years. Both the Fatburger and Buffalo’s Express brands have been populating the West Coast, East Coast and regions in the South. This will …