Grumpy’s Restaurant
Preferred Sq. Footage: 2,600-3,000 s.f.
12-Month Anticipated Openings: 5
Grumpy’s plans selective growth through a franchising effort launched during May 2019, with initial plans to open at least three franchisee-owned locations this year in northeast Florida. This traditional full-service Americana breakfast diner began its expansion last year with a restaurant in St. Johns, Fla., that is expected to open during mid- to late 2020 at the newly-developed The Fountains at St. Johns shopping mall. The new location will be corporately owned but available for purchase by a franchisee. The initial investment necessary to open a single Grumpy’s ranges from $370K to $661K, including a franchise fee of $34.9K.
Foxtrot Markets
Preferred Sq. Footage: 2,500-3,000 s.f.
12-Month Anticipated Openings: 3
This digitally native “corner store” closed a $17M growth funding round this quarter to expand its physical presence in Chicago and Washington, D.C., with plans to determine later this year other cities it will target for new stores. Launched in 2013 as tech-enabled convenience stores featuring local products, Foxtrot also sells products through iOS and Android apps, with delivery to consumers in less an hour. The chain plans to use its latest funding to hire new employees, open an eighth Chicago location and open two stores in D.C.’s Georgetown and Mount Vernon Square neighborhoods. It also has a location in Dallas.
Press Waffle Co.
Preferred Sq. Footage: 275-400 s.f.
12-Month Anticipated Openings: 4-10
This young specialty snack chain plans to open four company-owned stores this year and up to 10 franchised locations during the same timeframe. It has so far placed units in food halls, though the company is designing a stand-alone cafe model that will fill about 1,400 s.f. Press Waffle’s nationwide expansion is being assisted by $300K in funding received on “Shark Tank,” which generated franchisee interest strong that the company has since hired a franchise consultant to help manage expected growth. Its stores see strong late-night business and plans to expand into waffle sandwiches to boost lunch business. Its menu includes savory and sweet waffle options. Press Waffle began as a food truck and has since expanded to five locations in Texas and Oklahoma, with plans to open three stores in The Woodlands and Dallas, Texas, and St. Louis.
Pinch A Penny Pool Patio Spa
Preferred Sq. Footage: 1,800-2,400 s.f.
12-Month Anticipated Openings: 5
Look for this brand to increase its effort to expand across the Southeastern U.S. and throughout Texas, its primary market. The chain looks to franchise development to add stores in Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee and Texas.
Onelife Fitness
Preferred Sq. Footage: 15,000-70,000 s.f.
12-Month Anticipated Openings: 5
This gym chain will need about half a dozen new locations each year during the next five years. This will likely be a mix of ground-up developments and conversions, including reuse of vacant big box and department stores. Onelife will consider second-generation space previously occupied by supermarkets and other gyms, as well as space within new and redeveloped mixed-use properties with multifamily components.
Love’s Furniture
Preferred Sq. Footage: 4,000-70,000 s.f.
12-Month Anticipated Openings: 2
The new brand plans to increase its presence in Michigan, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Illinois, Virginia and Maryland, where it has been rebranding 27 Art Van Furniture, Levin Furniture and Wolf Furniture stores. It may also consider locations in New York, New Hampshire and New Jersey. Love’s was jumpstarted with the acquisition of the inventory and assets of 27 Art Van Furniture, Levin Furniture and Wolf Furniture stores out of bankruptcy.
Aussie Grill by Outback
Preferred Sq. Footage: 700-1,500 s.f.
12-Month Anticipated Openings: 5
This drive-thru concept has been a surprise after a U.S. location expected to be an incubator for new menu ideas grained enough popularity to convince owner Bloomin’ Brands to plan domestic expansion. The first freestanding Aussie Grill by Outback with a drive-thru opened last month to become the third location in Tampa Bay, Fla. The Aussie Grill concept – originally conceived as an international brand – was launched about 18 months ago with locations in Saudi Arabia and Hong Kong.
Amour Vert
Preferred Sq. Footage: 500-1,200 s.f.
12-Month Anticipated Openings: 3
Launched as primarily a direct-to-consumer concept, this sustainable clothing brand targets markets in which it has a strong e-commerce presence, with an eye on Washington, D.C., and Chicago this year as the San Franisco-based company increases its presence outside of California. The omnichannel retailer has placed previous brick and mortar stores in large urban markets such as Atlanta, Los Angeles and Seattle, and opened its first flagship store in New York last fall, its 10th location.
