Broomfield, Colo. — Noodles & Company, known for serving classic noodle, Zoodle and Caulifloodle dishes from around the world, has refranchised nine Noodles & Company restaurants in Charlotte, N.C., and Orlando, Fla., to existing franchisee River City Restaurant Group (RCRG). In the deal that closed on January 29, 2020, RCRG laid out plans to also develop 22 new Noodles & Company units between 2021 and 2032. This year, it plans to open 10 to 15 new restaurants systemwide. RCRG, a franchise partner with Noodles & Company since 2004, led by …
franchise development
Atlanta — Mamoun’s Falafel, the fastest growing Middle Eastern fast-casual restaurant in North America and oldest falafel restaurant in New York City, opened its first Atlanta location on February 1, 2020. Located in the West Midtown Center, it is the first of six Mamoun’s Falafel franchise locations coming to the area. “We’re so happy to bring New York’s best falafels to Atlanta,” says franchisee Kalki Patel. “Mamoun’s serves authentic Middle Eastern food, and that’s something we’ve been missing here. The support team from Mamoun’s Falafel has given us all the …
Longmont, Colo. — Ziggi’s Coffee, with 21 café/drive-thrus across Colorado, Oklahoma and Arizona, plans to open in Pennsylvania, Iowa, Oregon and California — with 16 expected to open in 2020 — as it continues its expansion into new markets. “We’ve experienced exponential growth since we began franchising,” says the company’s co-founder, Brandon Knudsen. “My wife Camrin and I started this business as a small coffee shop on the corner of Main Street in downtown Longmont, Colo., and now we have 43 signed franchise agreements in seven states.” With 21 locations …
Frederick, Md. — Roy Rogers® Restaurants has charged into 2020 with a new strategic growth plan aimed at improving performance at existing locations, attracting more high-caliber franchisees, and opening new restaurants in both traditional and non-traditional locations. The company also plans to debut a new corporately owned and operated restaurant this year but will focus on expanding its franchise network as a primary means of system growth. Its aggressive 5-year plan calls for signing three to five new multi-unit development agreements per year. Initial recruiting efforts will target development in …
Nashville, Tenn. — Captain D’s, the nation’s leading fast-casual seafood restaurant, achieved significant growth and success in its 50th year, opening 15 new locations and signing 8 franchise development agreements with new and existing franchisees to expand its brand footprint throughout the Southeast, Midwest and Utah. “2019 marked our golden anniversary, where we celebrated 50 years of serving high-quality seafood at affordable prices,” says Phil Greifeld, president and CEO of Captain D’s. “As I reflect on the last decade that I’ve been with Captain D’s, I’m so proud of the …
Scottsdale, Ariz. — The international development of Blimpie® is set to grow within the Southeast Asian region. Kahala Brands™, the parent company of Blimpie, has collaborated with Deelish Brands Pte Ltd to open the Blimpie brand in Singapore. Deelish Brands is a Singapore-based restaurant management company. The company operates in the fast-casual restaurant sector. Blimpie will work with Deelish Brands to introduce and expand the brand in Singapore with plans to open five stores within the next 5 years. “Continuing to build the brand’s international expansion with highly esteemed companies …
Philadelphia — America’s original fast-casual salad concept, Saladworks first opened in 1986 and launched its first franchised location in 2001. After opening its 100th location in Howard Park, Md., on January 6, 2020, Saladworks now plans to expand in Ohio. “The state of Ohio offers us a great opportunity for organic growth,” says Eric Lavinder, vice president of franchise development. “Not only does it provide an adjacent territory to our market in Pennsylvania, but Ohio is also an extremely business-friendly state with responsible rent, market rates and great minimum wage.” …
Canton, Mass. — Dunkin’, the on-the-go beverage led brand, opened its first airport mobile cart location, called DNKN Go Cart, in the Destin-Fort Walton, Fla., airport on December 23, 2019. Located in concourse B on the second level, the full-service Dunkin’ cart has been adjusted for indoor use by removing the outdoor wheels and installing a kitchen and water hookup. Just getting there was a challenge, too. The high-tech, sustainable, mobile food cart had to be transported to the second floor of the airport utilizing some extraordinary tactics that involved …
Cheyenne, Wyo. — Dog Haus, the craft-casual concept known for its gourmet hot dogs, sausages, burgers and one-of-a-kind creations, will open its first Wyoming location in Cheyenne in early 2020. With this new location, Dog Haus is also introducing its all-new prototype and its first built-to-suit restaurant. The 3,314-square-foot custom designed restaurant will feature multiple high-definition big screen televisions, custom playlists, a 905-square-foot dog-friendly patio, plus a full bar with 24 beers on tap, emphasizing local craft favorites, and will serve the brand’s signature Haus Cocktails, handcrafted by Phil Wills, …
Minnetonka, Minn. — Famous Dave’s opened the first of its smaller footprint prototype restaurants in Uptown Minneapolis on December 20, 2019. The new restaurant is approximately 3,000 square feet — compared to the average 6,500 to 7,000 square feet — and features a bar-centric environment and compact dining area. Famous Dave’s parent holding company, BBQ Holdings, Inc. which recently opened its Clark Crew BBQ restaurant concept with its partner Clark Championship Products LLC, is looking to open five to 10 of these smaller footprint restaurants by the end of 2020. …