New to Crittenden’s Retail Tenants Directory:
Rustika Café and Bakery
Preferred Sq. Footage: Varies
12-Month Anticipated Openings: 10+
The four-unit café and bakery brand plans to expand throughout its home base of Houston including in Pearland, The Woodlands, Spring, The Heights and Memorial. Future growth is also planned in Austin, El Paso, Dallas and San Antonio, Texas. Also, watch for the chain to expand into the new state of Florida with units in the works for Boca Raton, Fort Lauderdale, Miami, Orlando and Tampa. While adding new corporate stores, the company is on the hunt for franchisees to further enhance growth. Downtown and street-front sites will be sought after. The chain is known for its Jewish-Mexican fusion flavors with scratch-made chilaquiles, empanadas, gourmet cookies and cakes.
Big Chicken
Preferred Sq. Footage: Varies
12-Month Anticipated Openings: 6+
The fast-casual chicken chain founded by Shaquille O’Neal recently signed a multi-unit agreement to open six units across West Texas and Central Oklahoma with a Firehouse Subs franchisee. Units will also come to the Chicago MSA, metro Phoenix and the greater Los Angeles area through franchised deals. Downtown, street-front, shopping center, food court, non-traditional units and grocery-anchored center sites are targeted. The menu offers all things chicken such as sandwiches, tenders, salads, as well as sides, ice cream and shakes.
Smokin’ Oak Wood-Fired Pizza & Taproom
Preferred Sq. Footage: 2,000-3,500 s.f.
12-Month Anticipated Openings: 5+
The five-unit Florida-based fast-casual pizza concept expects to double in size during 2022 and have 100 locations open in the next five years. A new location is in the works for Arkansas, with other restaurants planned for Dallas, Austin, Brooksville, Fla., Grand Junction, Colo., and Canton, Ohio. Downtown, street-front, shopping center and non-traditional units will be sought after. The menu includes specialty pizzas, sandwiches, salads and desserts. Taprooms offer 25 to 45 different beer, wine and cocktails options.
Burnin Mouth
Preferred Sq. Footage: 800-2,500 s.f.
12-Month Anticipated Openings: 4+
The chicken chain plans rapid growth with units in the works throughout Southern California including the Brea Mall, the Glendale Galleria and the Irvine Spectrum. A restaurant is also set to open soon in Fort Worth, Texas. The chain sets its sites on restaurants coming to Boise, Idaho, Chicago, Oakbrook, Ill., Orlando, Fla., and additional California units in Milpitas and Ontario. Freestanding pad, shopping center and lifestyle center sites are targeted. The menu includes chicken wings, sandwiches and sides with a variety of sauces.
Jon & Vinny’s
Preferred Sq. Footage: 2,300-5,500 s.f.
12-Month Anticipated Openings: 3
The Italian chain will add new units to its Los Angeles home base in Beverly Hills and Studio City. Rumor has it the company will also bring a restaurant to the East Coast by the end of the year — the first outside of California. Downtown, street-front, freestanding pad and shopping center sites will be desired.
Crab N Spice
Preferred Sq. Footage: 2,000-3,500 s.f.
12-Month Anticipated Openings: 1+
The seafood concept will open its ninth unit in Carson, Calif., adding to existing locations in California, Las Vegas and Arizona. The chain plans even more growth through franchising with five licenses signed already this year. Shopping center and grocery-anchored sites will be targeted. The menu includes shrimp, king crab legs, mussels, clams, crawfish, lobster tails, Cajun fries, garlic noodles, Cajun pasta and crab fries.
