Greenwood Village, Colo. — Red Robin Gourmet Burgers, Inc., a full-service restaurant chain, has retained The Cypress Group, a leading restaurant and franchise investment banking firm, to manage Red Robin’s refranchising initiative. Cypress has more than 25 years of multi-unit M&A and corporate refranchising experience in the restaurant industry, including engagements with a number of major casual dining brands. “Strategically refining our real estate portfolio and pursuing development opportunities with high-quality franchisees is a key component of future growth for Red Robin. We are excited to partner with The Cypress …
franchise development
Glendale, Calif., and Karachi, Pakistan — Dine Brands Global Inc. has signed a deal with several principals of Gerry’s Group, a leading Pakistan-based logistics and food-and-beverage group, to bring the IHOP brand to the Islamic Republic of Pakistan. The deal calls for 19 IHOP locations throughout the country over the next 9 years, nine of which will be franchised by the principals of Gerry’s Group with the other 10 sub-franchised. The first location is expected to open in Karachi by the end of 2019 and continues the brand’s expansion into …
Atlanta — The Hummus & Pita Co., one of the country’s fastest growing Mediterranean fast-casuals, has signed a multi-unit deal to expand its franchise to the Southeast. Franchisees Jay Gill and Patrick Sidhu will bring five locations to the Atlanta area over the next 2 years. Gill and Sidhu are partners in Premier Kings, Inc., the largest BURGER KING® franchise in the country. Starting with six BURGER KING® locations in 2010, their portfolio now includes more than 170 locations, as well as 14 Popeyes® restaurants throughout Alabama, Florida, Georgia, South …
Dallas — Cauldron Ice Cream, the rapidly growing California-based scoop shop known for its made-to-order nitrogen ice cream, opened its first Texas location on March 2, 2019 in Dallas. “The quality, taste and unforgettable customer experience that Cauldron Ice Cream offers is unlike anything we have seen or experienced in Dallas,” says franchisee Sonya Ali. “As a foodie haven, Dallas is the perfect location for this first scoop shop. We’re excited to expand and bring our passion for unique, creative flavors to the rest of the Lone Star State.” The …
Philadelphia — With successful 2018 openings in four states, Saladworks, the healthy, fast-casual franchise, will continue to expand its national footprint to new and existing states in 2019. With 10 new stores committed to by new and existing franchisees in 2018, the expanding brand is on target to open 17 locations in 2019. Stores will open in Rhode Island, Colorado, Ohio, Virginia, California, Minnesota and Arkansas.
Los Angeles — Chop Stop, a California-based QSR chopped salad concept known for its fresh, customizable chopped salads and other health-oriented menu options, has signed 16 new franchise agreements in three states. The deals will result in the first-ever Chop Stop franchises in Texas and Nevada. By the end of 2019, Chop Stop expects to have a total of 23 units open.
Lexington, Ky. — Fazoli’s, an elevated QSR Italian chain, has signed a multi-unit deal with new franchisee Impact Hospitality Group. In addition to acquiring two existing locations in Columbia, S.C., the group also plans to develop five additional restaurants in and around the Columbia area over the next few years, with the first location slated to open in 2019.
Long Island, N.Y. — Dickey’s Barbecue Pit franchisee Jerry Stephan plans to bring 21 Dickey’s locations to New York. As a new member of the Dickey’s family, Stephan plans to develop the Dickey’s Barbecue Pit presence throughout the state. He will own and operate two of the locations, with his first slated to open in spring 2019 in Long Island.
Canton, Mass. — Dunkin’ continues to focus on growth and development efforts outside of the Northeast, recently signing six development agreements for nearly 20 new units in Colorado. Over the next few years, 15 Dunkin’ restaurants will be developed throughout the state, along with three multi-brand Dunkin’/Baskin-Robbins locations and one standalone Baskin-Robbins location.