West Palm Beach, Fla. — Marco’s Pizza plans to expand in Palm Beach County, Fla. Amid the pandemic, Marco’s Pizza is outperforming other QSRs, recording historic sales milestones, while supporting communities nationwide. The brand plans to add 13 Palm Beach County locations by 2025 through strategic franchise partnerships. With an open real estate market, three thriving locations under operation and a favorable competitive landscape, Palm Beach County is an obvious and attractive area for growth. Recently, Hinesh Patel, franchisee of Marco’s Pizza in Boynton Beach, experienced several weeks of record …
franchise development
Atlanta — In the last 3 months, Cinnaholic, a bakery that serves innovative plant-based cinnamon roll creations, has set single day sales records across its franchise system, introduced a series of new technology-based innovations, and inked deals to add more than a handful of new locations in key U.S. markets. “When the pandemic hit, we battened down the hatches and focused on two big priorities — making it as easy as possible for our new and longtime fans to enjoy Cinnaholic and supporting our franchisees with even more revenue-driving opportunities …
Atlanta — Tropical Smoothie Cafe, a leading national fast-casual cafe franchise known for both its better-for-you smoothies and food with a tropical twist, has seen strong growth year-to-date in 2020 including the signing of 103 new franchise agreements, including 49 signed since March 1 — of which, 67% are with existing franchisees. In addition, the company also opened 43 new restaurants in 2020 with 35 cafes opening since March 1. Franchise agreements and cafe openings targeted growth in 25 states, propelling franchise development efforts in target markets across the country. …
Helena, Mont. — Slim Chickens, a leading fast-casual franchise which features dine-in and drive-thru in the “better chicken” segment, is expanding into Montana. Mike Sartwell, who is an existing multi-unit franchisee with Slim Chickens, is bringing four new restaurants to Montana. The first location, which is a conversion, will be located at 1450 Prospect Ave. in Helena. Sartwell has an extensive portfolio of restaurants across North Dakota, Montana, Missouri and Illinois. His portfolio consists of quick-service and fast-casual brands. “Our group has developed Slim Chickens restaurants in North Dakota, and …
Irvine, Calif. — Juice It Up!, one of the nation’s leading handcrafted smoothie, açaí bowl and raw juice chains, which is celebrating its 25th anniversary in 2020, is opening the brand’s flagship “new store prototype” location this summer in Costa Mesa, Calif. This corporate-owned location will be the first to feature the brand’s new store design and will serve as an innovation kitchen for R&D, as well as a training and test center to continually share best practices with franchisees systemwide. The flagship location is opening on Costa Mesa’s 17th …
New York City — Shake Shack Inc. and licensee Maxim’s Caterers Limited have expanded their partnership, with plans to open a minimum of 15 Shacks in South China by 2030, including locations in Shenzhen, Guangzhou, Fuzhou and Xiamen. The Shenzhen location is slated to open next year. Together, Shake Shack and Maxim’s Caterers Limited plan to operate 55 Shacks in mainland China by 2030. Maxim’s currently operates Shake Shack locations in Shanghai and Hong Kong, with Beijing and Macau in development with goals to open later in 2020. As a …
Lexington, Ky. — A&W Restaurants is expanding from California to New York and from Louisiana to Minnesota, the result of agreements signed with 10 new franchisees. The latest multi-unit deal, signed this month, will bring three locations to Lafayette, La. The popular fast food chain has opened 12 restaurants in the last 18 months. It now has 16 in development, with four being built by current franchisees. The new locations will be in major cities, such as Chicago and St. Louis, as well as mid-size and smaller communities. Seven will …
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 …
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 …