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 …
franchise development
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 …
Washington, D.C. — Jersey Mike’s Subs has been rapidly expanding throughout the Washington, D.C., Maryland and Virginia (“DMV”) region with the help of real estate partner KLNB. In total, KLNB has closed 17 deals for Jersey Mike’s across the DMV over the past 18 months, for a total of nearly 27,000 square feet and a lease volume of $10.46 million. KLNB has a long-standing partnership with Jersey Mike’s and has represented the company’s real estate interests throughout the DMV for 8 years. KLNB principal Ryan Minnehan and retail specialist Michael …
Philadelphia — Greek from Greece (GFG) Bakery-Café, the authentic Greek fast-casual phenomenon, has finalized a deal to open its first franchise location. Franchisee Dimitri Gouliaberis plans to open the new location this summer at a site near Drexel University in Philadelphia. GFG Bakery-Café continues to build momentum, launching recent expansions in New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, Florida and Pennsylvania that will more than quadruple the brand’s footprint in the next year. “I spent my adolescence in Greece, but my adulthood in America,” says Gouliberis. “I wanted to combine the fast-paced …
Hilton Head Island, S.C. — Slapfish, a fast-growing, fast-casual seafood restaurant, continues expansion in the Southeast with its first stand-alone location in Hilton Head Island, S.C. The restaurant is a conversion of a former convenience store site. Building on the Pooler, Ga., grand opening late last year, Hilton Head marks the second Slapfish location owned and operated by the Lomasney family franchise group. The Lomasneys converted a former convenience store into the modern restaurant space, including a walk-up ordering window to take advantage of Hilton Head’s expansive biking and walking …