Hari Mari
Preferred Sq. Footage: 2,500-3,500 s.f.
12-Month Anticipated Openings: 3-5
The Dallas-based flip-flop/sandal chain will add three to five new units per year over the next three years. The brand looks for future sites in Austin, Atlanta, Charlotte, N.C., Charleston, S.C., Nashville, Tenn., Southern California and Northwest Florida. Downtown, street-front, lifestyle center and regional mall sites are desired. In additional to footwear, stores carry women’s apparel, including swimwear, shorts, shirts and jackets.
Pura Vida
Preferred Sq. Footage: 800-2,000 s.f.
12-Month Anticipated Openings: 4+
The jewelry chain plans rapid expansion with goals to open 100 stores over the next 10 years. Look for new units to come to Southern California followed by major markets in the South and Southeast. New stores will be eyed in the Midwest, Northeast and Northwest regions by early 2024. Brick-and-mortar expansion will be bolstered by handbag brand, Vera Bradley, which owns part of the company. Regional mall and manufactured outlet center sites will be targeted. In addition to jewelry, stores will carry shirts, hoodies, handbags and hats.
Local Kitchens
Preferred Sq. Footage: 10,000 s.f.
12-Month Anticipated Openings: 2
The digital micro food hall plans two new locations in Davis and Los Gatos, Calif., adding to its six existing units in the San Francisco Bay Area. Look for additional units coming to Southern and Northern California. Downtown, street-front and freestanding pad sites are sought after. Local Kitchens, founded by former DoorDash colleagues, offers takeout and delivery from multiple restaurants, allowing customers to mix and match cuisines in a single order.
Tacos Tu Madre
Preferred Sq. Footage: 1,200-1,500 s.f.
12-Month Anticipated Openings: 2
The Mexican restaurant will open its fifth location in Santa Monica, Calif., by this summer. Another restaurant has been proposed in Echo Park, Calif., in a site that has been vacant for five years. Shopping center, downtown and street-front spaces are targeted. The menu includes slow roasted and braised meats, in additional to plant-based tacos, burritos and bowls.
Pizza Twist
Preferred Sq. Footage: 1,800-2,100 s.f.
12-Month Anticipated Openings: 2
The California-based pizza chain signs new franchise agreements to bring units to Frisco, Texas, and the Denver metros area. A unit also just opened in Dallas/Fort Worth this month. These locations will bring the chain to almost 100 locations. Grocery-anchored center, entertainment center and shopping center sites will be sought after. The restaurant offers wings, pasta, salads and a variety of pizza options, including vegan, vegetarian and halal.
Wafels & Dinges
Preferred Sq. Footage: 150-600 s.f.
12-Month Anticipated Openings: TBD
The New-York-City-based dessert chain is ready for rapid expansion by launching franchising in quintessential venues within major cities across the nation. The chain partnered up with DCV Franchise Group to help with franchise growth. Wafels & Dinges operates food trucks, food carts and food kiosks in the busiest corners of New York. Mall, food courts and non-traditional units will be targeted. The chain offers a variety of Belgian-style waffles, makes its own real whipped cream and imports chocolate from Belgium and dulce de leche from Argentina.
