Although COVID-19 lockdowns are easing up, customers have gotten used to the convenience and safety of takeout foods, even from their beloved full-service, dine-in restaurants. Many of these chains have taken heed of their customers’ preferences and are ramping up the opening of new branded offshoot versions of their restaurants that provide a fast-casual set up. Keep your eyes open for more offshoot restaurants to be coming to a town near you, such as Hoots Wings, the offshoot of Hooters, and Aussie Grill, the offshoot of Outback Steakhouse.
HOA Brands’ Hoots Wings is growing corporate-owned locations, in addition to strong expansion due to the introduction of franchising in December. Hoots Wings is now on track to open at least 30 new units per year over the next five years. As of today, the Hoots Wings concept has more than 100 signed franchise agreements. Look for the Austin and Dallas/Fort Worth metros to see strong growth over this five-year period, as well as all metros and suburbs in Pennsylvania. In addition, Southern California, specifically Orange County and Los Angeles metros, as well as targeted markets in New Jersey and Rhode Island, also expect to see new units. Sought after real estate includes inline and end cap spaces between 1,300 and 1,800 s.f., in heavily trafficked, Class A strip centers and power centers within family-friendly neighborhoods and college areas. Urban spaces in or near mixed-use buildings and office developments are also considered. The Hoots Wings menu consists primarily of wings prepared either roasted, breaded, smoked, boneless or naked, with 14 different sauce and rub options. Hoots Wings also serves chicken sandwiches, shrimp, and sides such as mac & cheese and waffle fries.
Aussie Grill, the fast-casual restaurant which began testing different prototypes in Tampa, Fla., two years ago, will ramp up opening new units in the central Orlando market and expects approximately 10 to 15 new units per year over the next three to four years. By 2024, new Aussie Grill units may open in additional markets where the brand is currently testing delivery-only options via third party platforms. These include Tier 1 trade areas in the metros of Salt Lake City, Denver, Las Vegas, Sacramento, Calif., San Francisco and San Diego. The corporate-owned Aussie Grill units will be freestanding buildings with a drive-thru, that each average 2,600 s.f., and they will be in highly visible locations on busy streets. Typical fare at Aussie Grill, owned by Bloomin’ Brands, includes handheld sandwiches with a unique Australian-influenced twist, such as crispy Sriracha chicken sandwiches and Cajun shrimp po’boys, as well as plated menu items such as seared sirloin with arugula.
