Huntsville, Ala. — Slim Chickens, a leading fast-casual franchise in the “better chicken” segment, has inked a deal to bring nine locations to cities throughout Alabama. Legends Development, LLC will be bringing the restaurants to Huntsville, Marshall, Etowah, Auburn, Montgomery, Mobile and Talladega. Slim Chickens first opened in 2003 in Fayetteville, Ark. Today, there are more than 125 Slim Chickens locations open and 500 restaurants in development. The brand recently launched a strategic multi-unit franchise growth initiative to reach 600 units in 10 years. For more information, visit www.slimchickensfranchise.com. …
franchise development
Charlotte, N.C. — Clean Juice®, a USDA-certified organic juice bar franchise, has relocated its flagship store to Birkdale Landing in Huntersville, N.C. The move coincides with the sixth anniversary of the opening of the first Clean Juice store at Birkdale Village. The new Birkdale Landing location will officially open at the end of June. “It’s hard to fathom that it’s been 6 years since we first started our journey with Clean Juice and how we’ve grown as an award-winning brand with more than 100 open locations nationwide,” says Landon Eckles, …
Wichita, Kan. — Leading fast-casual restaurant concept Freddy’s Frozen Custard & Steakburgers has broken ground on a new site set to host the brand’s newest restaurant prototype. Located in Salina, Kan., this prototype marks a new chapter for the brand’s design evolution as this option is its first model without a dining room, hosting a double drive-thru and a walk-up ordering station. With more than a dozen restaurants set to open in the first half of 2021, Freddy’s is poised to continue making significant development growth in the coming months …
Broomfield, Colo. — TCBY, the world’s original frozen yogurt brand, is celebrating its 40th anniversary with the brand continuing to expand rapidly and thrive as communities reopen amid the rollout of the COVID-19 vaccine. TCBY opened 12 new U.S. locations in the past year and six additional locations are set to open in the coming months. This summer, TCBY will open a new drive-thru in St. Augustine, Fla.; a new self-serve store in Bayonne, N.J., focused on catering with a late-night walk-up window; and a counter-service store in Navarre, Fla., …
Atlanta — Buff City Soap, a Southern-based lifestyle brand changing the way people buy their everyday soap by providing plant-based alternatives, has opened its third soap ‘makery’ in Atlanta. Located on Roswell Road in the prominent Buckhead shopping district, Buff City Soap is known for its handmade, plant-based soap and body products. The store opened in late May. Unlike supermarket alternatives, Buff City Soap creates high-quality products free of harsh chemicals, detergents, dyes, animal fats and sulfates. By giving customers the chance to see the whole making process live in …
Secaucus, N.J. — The Vitamin Shoppe, an omni-channel specialty retailer of nutritional products, has launched an innovative franchising model for independent operators to open The Vitamin Shoppe stores in their own communities around the United States. This is the first time in its 44-year history that The Vitamin Shoppe will partner with business owners to operate franchise stores. Since launching in 1977, The Vitamin Shoppe has grown into the premier global destination for health and wellness solutions. The company continues to modernize its business with a digital-first mindset that meets …
Louisville, Ky. — Biscuit Belly, a chef-driven fast-casual breakfast and brunch concept specializing in gourmet biscuit sandwiches, has signed its first and second multi-unit development agreements to franchise 10 locations throughout Lexington, Ky.; Knoxville, Tenn.; Huntsville, Ala.; and Birmingham, Ala. This marks the first development deals since the brand launched its franchising efforts at the end of 2020 and supports Biscuit Belly’s plans to grow to 20-25 locations by the end of 2021. Seasoned multi-unit franchisees Jay and Kelly Shoffner and their family will own and operate six new Biscuit …
Wichita, Kan. — Freddy’s Frozen Custard & Steakburgers has recently signed four multi-unit agreements that will result in a total of 29 new restaurants. The expansion follows a strong 2020 in which the concept celebrated its 400th restaurant opening. The 29 restaurants will be developed by four different franchise groups across Southern California, Central Florida, Texas and Ohio. FFC will be developing seven restaurants in Central Florida. DJ Steakburgers will be developing three additional restaurants in northern Ohio. HCI Hospitality has signed to develop seven locations in Texas. Salim Development Group will …
San Diego — QDOBA Mexican Eats, the largest franchise opportunity in the fast-casual Mexican segment, has hired franchising veteran Shawn Caric as vice president of franchise development. In his new role, Caric will be directing the 740-unit brand’s strategic franchise expansion across key markets in the United States and Canada. Caric most recently served as the director of development for the Midwest region at Dunkin Brands, leading real estate signings and site approval for 11 states. Over the years, Caric has developed a strong record for successfully leading dynamic teams …
Los Angeles — The Hummus & Pita Co., one of the fastest-growing Mediterranean concepts in the U.S., plans a flagship location for all of California with a grand opening slated for late June in Los Angeles. Located in North Hollywood’s NOHO West Shopping Center, the new locations kicks off a five-unit franchise deal signed with well-known Southern California multi-concept operator, Dan Markel. Markel has already identified his second California location in Toluca Lake, a celebrity enclave in Los Angeles. Other potential locations are currently being scouted in Studio City, Burbank, …