Salad and Go
Preferred Sq. Footage: 650-750 s.f.
12-Month Anticipated Openings: 8-15
(over the next two years)
The Arizona-based brand plans rapid expansion this year after entering the new state of Texas adding locations recently in Dallas, Richardson and Plano. A Fort Worth restaurant is also in the works, as well as five units in the Houston MSA. Units could also come to Southern California and Louisiana next year. The chain will add new Arizona locations in Tucson, Scottsdale, Queen Creek, Peoria, Mesa, Goodyear, Glendale and Avondale all set to open by year’s end. Freestanding pad sites with a drive thru are targeted. The chain offers made-to-order salads, wraps, soups and breakfast burritos.
BrewDog
Preferred Sq. Footage: 4,000-30,000 s.f.
12-Month Anticipated Openings: 3+
The U.K.-based craft beer pub looks to grow its U.S. portfolio with units in the works on the Atlanta Beltline, a large 30,000-s.f. unit on the Las Vegas Strip and an 8,600-s.f. location in New Albany, Ohio. Leases have also been signed in Cleveland and for a second Columbus, Ohio, location. The brand is open to a variety sizes and spaces including downtown, freestanding pad, street-front, non-traditional units and entertainment center sites.
Automat Kitchen
Preferred Sq. Footage: 1,500-2,100 s.f.
12-Month Anticipated Openings: 3
The temperature-controlled automated vending machine dining concept looks for sites in New Jersey, Florida and Philadelphia. A recent partnership with Compass Group could ramp up further expansion over the next few years. The chain hired a professional chef to create the menu and offers fresh meals prepared in a kitchen behind the wall of heated or cooled lockers. A text is then sent to customers who can pick up their meals in the appropriate locker. Ground-floor space in downtown, street-front, shopping center, mall, food court and non-traditional sites will be targeted. College and airport units could also be in the cards.
The Dolly Llama
Preferred Sq. Footage: 800-2,000 s.f.
12-Month Anticipated Openings: 3
The Los Angeles-based dessert chain signs its first three franchise deals for brick-and-mortar stores as it kicks off national expansion. The first deal is for Tyler, Texas. The second deal will bring a location to Ponte Vedra Beach in Jacksonville. Fla., expected to open early next year and the third deal is for Bethlehem, Pa. Downtown, shopping center, street-front, food court and regional mall locations are sought after. The chain also offers a 250- to 300-s.f. kiosk option. The waffle and ice cream franchise has a wide menu of desserts including its take on the Bubble Waffle.
Fire Wings
Preferred Sq. Footage: 3,000-4,000 s.f.
12-Month Anticipated Openings:
Numerous
The California-based wing chain plans rapid expansion with new units coming to the Golden State including Brentwood, Cupertino, Downey, San Jose, Fountain Valley, Fresno, Irvine, Long Beach, Monterey Park, Pittsburg, Vacaville, Turlock and West Covina. Also, keep an eye out for a unit coming to Reno, Nev. Shopping center, freestanding pad and grocery-anchored center sites are targeted. The menu includes a wide variety of wings, chicken tenders, sandwiches, salads and sides.
Perry’s Steakhouse
Preferred Sq. Footage: 10,000-13,000 s.f.
12-Month Anticipated Openings: TBD
The steakhouse restaurant chain could begin to add additional units to its portfolio after the announcement that it has expanded Champion Management Group’s public relations services to include new markets. The chain added a new unit earlier this year in Franklin, Tenn., its first restaurant in the state. Lifestyle center, freestanding pad, downtown and street-front sites are targeted. The chain opened its very first restaurant in 1979, which was a modest meat market in Houston and now has 20 locations in seven states.
