Hawaiian Bros Island Grill
Preferred Sq. Footage: 3,400-3,600 s.f.
12-Month Anticipated Openings: 10-20
The island-inspired restaurant has high expectations for growth as it just franchised in November. Hawaiian Bros expects to target suburban territories just outside of hubs such as Kansas City, Mo., and Dallas/Fort Worth, in addition to eyeing regions in Iowa and Kansas. Inline, as well as standalone buildings for drive thrus, will be considered. Hawaiian Bros is famous for its authentic island plate meals, as well as its Dole soft-serve desserts.
Savannah Seafood Shack
Preferred Sq. Footage: 2,200-2,500 s.f.
12-Month Anticipated Openings: 5-10
This Georgia-based fast-casual restaurant may only have one location, but its recent partnership with Fransmart ensures that rapid franchise growth is in its future, especially in top 40 markets such as Washington, D.C., Phoenix, and throughout New Jersey. The restaurant is famous for its affordably priced seafood dishes, such as country boils, crab cakes and po’ boys. The restaurant will be targeting downtown street-front sites, as well as shopping center units.
The Rustic
Preferred Sq. Footage: 17,000-18,000 s.f.
12-Month Anticipated Openings: 1-3
Based in Texas, The Rustic is a restaurant/live music venue that is expected to open its first unit in a new state, in Scottsdale, Ariz., by mid- to late 2023. The Rustic is managed by Free Range Concepts, the same team responsible for the rapid growth of the MUTTS Canine Cantina concept. The Rustic seeks space in freestanding pads and shopping centers in major hub markets.
Soulman’s Bar-B-Que
Preferred Sq. Footage: 2,800-3,500 s.f.
12-Month Anticipated Openings: 1-2
The fast-casual Texas barbecue chain, with 19 units, has been a mainstay in North and East Texas, especially within the Dallas/Fort Worth metro areas. Soulman’s serves eight different types of meats that are cooked over hickory wood for up to 12 hours, and the restaurant has been attracting new Texan transplants that are hungry for authentic down-home barbecue flavors. The brand seeks freestanding pad sites.
The Point Pub & Grill
Preferred Sq. Footage: 3,000-3,500 s.f.
12-Month Anticipated Openings: 1-2
With its base in Oregon, the Point Pub & Grill aims to be a neighborhood gathering place for the pub experience. The concept is currently seeking new franchisees, and announced multi-unit growth into the Phoenix metro, the first outside of its home state. Its comfort food offerings include patty melts, beer battered fish and deep-fried pickle chips. The restaurant looks for space in shopping centers, regional malls and downtown street-front units.
Cornbread Farm to Soul
Preferred Sq. Footage: Varies
12-Month Anticipated Openings: TBD
The fast-casual restaurant chain plans expansion throughout the East Coast, with a focus on New York and New Jersey, after launching franchise opportunities in October. The chain currently has two locations in New Jersey and one in Brooklyn, N.Y. Downtown or street-front sites are desired. The chain offers soul food menu items such as baked mac and cheese, collard greens, yams, chicken, cornbread, catfish and peach cobbler.
