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While chicken and waffles has become a Southern-inspired staple on many brunch menus, this growing fast-casual chain takes a unique spin on the dish with chicken in waffle cones. Currently, the Lehigh Valley-based concept has 20 locations in the U.S. and four in the United Arab Emirates but is looking to expand its reach further in partnership with Franchising Elevator.
Although the chain began franchising in 2017, Chick’n Cone recently announced an intention to ramp up franchising in the Carolinas and the St. Louis area, with 10 units already in the works that will open over the next decade. Right now, the company has 83 franchise agreements signed and plans to have 50 locations open by the end of 2022.
“We are confident that now is the time to continue introducing our handheld chick’n cones to the St. Louis area for all to enjoy and experience what puts our brand ahead in the fried chicken industry,” CEO and cofounder Jonathan Almanzar said in a statement.
The average Chick’n Cone unit size is 1,250 square feet and average check is $19.
With breakfast brands trending, now is the time for expanding casual-dining first meal chain, Famous Toastery to penetrate new markets. Calling itself a “better-breakfast brand,” Famous Toastery has been serving up its loaded omelets, breakfast sandwiches, stuffed French toast and brunch cocktails since 2005.
The company has been franchising since 2013 but recently announced its intention to refranchise in 2021, with goals of doubling its footprint to 50 units by 2024. Famous Toastery is working with Mainland for franchise development awareness and signing process, and already has a few deals in the works. Famous Toastery plans on opening approximately seven locations over the next year.
“Our motto is, ‘Every Server is Your Server,’ which not only helps guests when they're in need of something, but also helps with the labor shortage,” a representative for Famous Toastery said. “Also, our franchisees spend a lot of time giving back to the communities in which our locations are based, and our food is really top notch.”
The average unit size is 3,200 square feet.
This Greek fast-casual chain that was popularized on Long Island, N.Y. and offers Greek-inspired breakfast and lunch items, as well as 15 different types of traditional Greek pies. Gfg first announced franchising with Fransmart last year, but in 2021 announced plans to expand by 40% and in September, announced the opening of its first franchise location in Rye, N.Y., followed by the announcement of its first franchise in Philadelphia in October.
“Gfg is the perfect concept to be near, or even inside, a college campus, mall kiosk or food court or airport given its incredibly flexible footprint and hoodless, ventless concept,” Dan Rowe, CEO of Fransmart, said in a statement. “Low-cost conversion opportunities can dramatically increase ROI for franchisees interested in taking over an existing space that recently closed down in a food hall or other kiosk-style model.”
Gfg currently has 30 locations with about 11 more in development.
Rooster & Rice is a fast-casual restaurant chain with a Thai twist on basic chicken and rice offerings. The company began as a popup shop in 2015, and now has 11 locations. Rooster & Rice began franchising in the third quarter of 2021, working with FranGrow as a franchise development company.
Currently, the company has not yet signed any franchisees but is looking to grow its presence in California and expand to Texas, with plans to open its first Texas location next summer, followed by Washington and New York. By the end of 2022, Rooster & Rice hopes to open three locations in total. So, why should franchisees be attracted to the business?
“The simplicity of the menu reduces overhead and labor costs and allow for flexible footprint,” a representative for Rooster & Rice said.
The average check for the chain is $18-$20.
Sankranti will be a quick-service healthy Indian restaurant with the first location opening in Atlanta in January. Owner Srinivasa “Nimms” Nimmagadda is passionate about making Indian food affordable and accessible for the Atlanta metropolitan area and calls his concept the “Chipotle of Indian food.”
With four more Atlanta-area units on the way in 2022, Nimmagadda is currently seeking multi-unit franchise deals with an initial franchise fee of $30,000 and $22,500 for each additional franchise location for five more deals to be signed by the end of 2022.
After Atlanta, Sankranti will be spreading to other states in the Southeast region, including North Carolina, Tennessee and Florida.
Average check is $12 and average unit size is 1,500 square feet.
Zunzi’s — a South African-inspired takeout and delivery spot — began in Savannah as a college town option for students and now has two locations and a spinoff sister beach bar concept, Zunzibar.
Zunzi’s announced franchising in December with the intention of spreading the chain across the Southeast, primarily in Georgia, Alabama, Florida, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee and Texas. Franchisees will be recruited through Zunzi’s Franchising LLC, a newly formed subsidiary, and the company is working DCV Franchise group to begin franchising.
“We want franchisees that choose to be in this business, understand how difficult it can be, and join our vision to make positive change by solving problems together,” Chris Smith, Zunzi’s co-founder, said in a statement. “When we do this, we create value for our six stakeholders—team, franchisees, fans, community, vendors and investors—and that is good business.”
Smith hopes to open five restaurants by the end of 2022 and 20 by the end of 2023.
Average check for Zunzi’s is $23.24 and the average unit size is 2,200 square feet.
