Crumbl Cookies
Preferred Sq. Footage: 1,000-3,000 s.f.
Anticipated Openings: 75-100 through 2022
The cookie chain is in aggressive expansion mode and hopes to add new units in Kansas, California, Maryland, Michigan, South Carolina, Wyoming, Oklahoma, Massachusetts, Georgia, Washington, Ohio and Virginia. The retailer also looks to open its first location in New Mexico. Downtown, street front, lifestyle center, power center, regional mall and grocery-anchored center sites are targeted. The chain recently debuted its contactless kiosk-ordering technology, which has kept business afloat doing the pandemic.
Bolay
Preferred Sq. Footage: 3,000-3,500 s.f.
Anticipated 12-Month Openings: 8
The fast-casual dining chain shifts its expansion efforts toward 2021 after postponing 2020 growth plans because of the pandemic. The Florida-based restaurant hopes to add eight new restaurants next year including a Miami unit. A new unit also recently opened in Pinecrest, Fla. The chain allows customers to create their own “Bol” with a different base of veggies, protein and sauce. Shopping center and regional mall sites are targeted.
Gyro Shack
Preferred Sq. Footage: 500-1,800 s.f.
Anticipated 12-Month Openings: 6+
The Boise-based, quick-service Mediterranean restaurant chain plans aggressive expansion, especially through franchise growth. The nine-unit chain sets its sights on medium-sized cities in the Mountain West region such as Santa Fe, N.M., and Carson City, Nev. At least five franchise locations are planned for 2021. A corporate location is in the works in Phoenix and watch for other locations in Mesa, Chandler, Gilbert and Tempe, Ariz. Restaurants must have either a drive-thru or double drive-thru location with escape lanes preferred going forward. Freestanding pad, lifestyle center and grocery-anchored center sites are targeted.
The Baked Bear
Preferred Sq. Footage: 1,200-1,300 s.f.
Anticipated 12-Month Openings: 4+
The San Diego-based ice cream sandwich chain is rapidly growing with new units planned in Miami, St. Charles, Mo., and Midwest City, Okla. The retailer also signed a lease for a ground-floor space at The Lofts at Pier Village, a mixed-use development in Long Branch, N.J. Also, the first Tennessee unit just opened in Nashville over the summer. Downtown, street front, regional mall and grocery-anchored sites are targeted. The chain is known for customized ice cream sandwiches between cookies, brownies or a combination of both.
Everytable
Preferred Sq. Footage: 500-700 s.f.
Anticipated 12-Month Openings: 2
The quick-service, Los Angeles-based restaurant chain will open two new units in Long Beach, Calif. The first location should open before the end of the year and offers refrigerated grab-and-go hot and cold meal options, which can be eaten at the restaurant once pandemic restrictions are lifted. The second location will be in downtown Long Beach set to open next year. The chain seeks to end food inequality by making healthy food affordable, convenient and accessible and menu prices vary depending on the income level of the neighborhood. The chain also recently recruited chef and food justice veteran Bryce Fluellen to lead its franchise program, which aims to bring in entrepreneurs from marginalized communities.
