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Bread & Vine — which combines fast-casual convenience with the freshness of a French bistro — announced franchising in September. The Illinois-based brand is equally known for its extensive macaron and French wine selection as it is for its 30-minute counter-service lunches from an extensive international menu.
Currently, the fast-casual brand only has one location, but has recently signed two franchises (one in Boston, Mass., and one in Tampa, Fla.) with plans to open 6-10 more locations in 2025, and 50 or more over the next five years throughout Florida, Illinois, Texas, the Northeast, the Midwest, the Carolinas, and Nevada.
“We are targeting affluent markets at the forefront of our expansion and working to stay within close proximity to our headquarters to better support our first franchise partners,” founder Eric Bonnetain said in a statement. “As we continue to grow, we are also open to other states like Texas, Florida, the Carolinas, Michigan, Minnesota, Ohio, and Nebraska.”
Bread & Vine’s location size is 3,500 square feet, with an average check of $35 per person.
Fresh Healthy Café, the Canadian fast-casual brand that came to the United States in 2019, announced in October that franchising is now available stateside for the brand.
Fresh Healthy Café entered into an agreement with Fresh USA franchise development company to accelerate the 20-unit all-natural brand’s expansion across the United States.
The fast-casual brand is well-known for its menu of made-to-order smoothies, juices, salads, wraps and paninis, combining the best of a juice bar with a healthy fast-casual restaurant.
Fresh Healthy Café’s goal is to open 12 locations globally in 2025, with an additional 15-20 locations the following year.
Viral TikTok sensation, Popup Bagels — the “Not Famous, but Known” concept — is taking its freshly-made bagels that inspire hour-long lines to new locales. Currently, the brand has nine locations across New York City, Connecticut, and Massachusetts, and announced franchising opportunities in November.
“Our bagels are served fresh from the oven, hot and whole - and we do not make sandwiches,” a Popup Bagels representative said. “Loyal fans love to grip, rip, and dip right on the street, or bagels can be taken home or to the park to enjoy it in endless ways.”
The concept will be opening its first franchised locations in Boston and in Florida, which will be opening in early 2025. The goal is to open 15 locations next year and 150 over the next five years all across the Eastern seaboard.
Just prior to launching franchising, Poppup Bagels appointed former Moe’s Southwest Grill chief brand officer, Tory Bartlett, as CEO.
The average Popup Bagels location size is 1,100 square feet.
Sliders are having a moment in the restaurant industry, and Sammy’s Sliders wants to be the first fast-casual gourmet slider concept to execute a national franchising program. Sammy’s Sliders was launched in November by industry veterans Sam G. Ballas (CEO and founder of East Coast Wings + Grill) and chef Sammy Gianopoulos.
Currently, Sammy’s Sliders has two locations, but the company wants to expand that number to 10 locations by 2026, and 100 locations over the next five years.
The slider franchise is built around its “fresh, never frozen” slider combinations made with certified angus beef and antibiotic-free chicken. The menu includes creative spins on sliders made from grilled and fried chicken, beef, fish, falafel, and more, as well as dipping sauces, fries, and handspun shakes.
“With Sammy’s Sliders, we combined our expertise to bring a matchless, exceptional franchise concept to the fast-casual sector,” Ballas said in a statement. “We’ve crafted a menu that offers high-quality, fresh ingredients, while keeping the business model simple and scalable for franchise growth.”
The average check is $14 per guest, and locations range in size from 2,200-2,600 square feet.
Shelly’s Tea Room is known as an authentic British respite in Massachusetts that offers afternoon tea, scones, finger sandwiches, British desserts, and more.
The independent brand, led by founder Sean Sinclair, announced franchising in October, with plans to open one or two locations next year, and expand to 25 locations nationally in five years.
“We are the only authentic English tea rooms franchise on offer in the USA today,” Sinclair said. “From the moment you step into a Shelly’s Tea Rooms you will feel the warm ambience, the sophistication and the authenticity. Today, more than ever, people are seeking experiences different from their norm, and we fit perfectly into that. With low opening costs and great returns our multi-award-winning formula is hard to beat.”
The average check is $30 per person.
