Fransmart
|
The Fransmart Logo | |
| Private | |
| Industry | Franchising |
| Founded | Alexandria, Virginia, US (2000) |
| Founder | Dan Rowe |
Number of locations |
Alexandria, Virginia Irvine, California Fransmart Europe Stuttgart, Germany |
| Brands |
Five Guys Burgers & Fries Qdoba Mexican Grill Freshii Elevation Burger The Halal Guys zpizza |
| Website | fransmart.com |
Fransmart is a leading franchise development company responsible for the rapid growth of many globally recognized restaurant brands. Founded in 2000 and has corporate headquarters in Alexandria, Virginia and Irvine, California. Fransmart specializes in restaurant development and franchising of emerging brands that grow from one to five units to national and global chains.
Among Fransmart’s most notable successes are Five Guys Burgers & Fries, Qdoba Mexican Grill, and zpizza. Fransmart formed FranInvest, a private equity firm, in 2013 to make early-stage investments in emerging restaurant concepts.[1]
Late in 2013, Fransmart expanded its operations with the opening of its first market partner. The market partner operates as Fransmart Europe with its headquarters in Stuttgart, Germany. Fransmart Europe is focused on developing the full portfolio of brands Fransmart represents as well as recruiting brands based in Europe to join the portfolio.[2]
Dan Rowe is Fransmart’s CEO and has served in this capacity since founding Fransmart in 2000.[3]
Work
Fransmart’s current and past portfolio brands have opened over 3,000 restaurants in 45 states and more than 35 countries. Fransmart primarily targets emerging restaurant concepts that have the potential for expansion. It serves area and master developers, chain operators, and high-net-worth individuals.
Services
Fransmart services included but is not limited to management advisory, franchise program development, franchise sales, development of an ideal franchisee profile, franchise lead generation & marketing, branding, compliance and legal, geographic growth strategy, unite economics, and franchise systems.[4]
Past and current franchises
Fransmart is responsible for building out many emerging restaurant franchise brands from single units to multi-unit chains found throughout the world.
Big Smoke Burger
Founded in 2012 out of Toronto, Canada currently operating more than 20 locations in Bahrain, Canada, Saudi Arabia, UAE, and US. Big Smoke Burger has an additional 50+ franchises in development.[5]
Bowl of Heaven
Founded in 2010 out of Orange County, California currently operating 4 locations with another 20+ in development.[6]
Calexico Mexican Restaurant
Founded in 2006 in NYC by the Vendley brothers, Calexico has made a name for itself by winning the coveted Vendy Award[7] in 2008 and Vendy Master Cup Award in 2014. Calexico was also named the Best Mexican Restaurant by Zagat and also featured on The Martha Stewart Show.[8]
The Chickery
Founded by world celebrity chef David Adjey.
Elevation Burger
Working with Hans Hess, founder of Elevation Burger, Fransmart aided Elevation Burger in its franchise system.[9] Elevation Burger has since expanded globally around the world.[10]
Five Guys Burgers & Fries
In 2002, Five Guys worked with Fransmart to expand its franchising expansion. In fact, the founder of Fransmart, Dan Rowe, was Five Guys first franchisee. In just a year and a half, permits were sold for over 300 locations making it the fastest growing restaurant chain in America.[11] Five Guys currently has over 1,500 locations open throughout North America and the UK.
Freshii
Fransmart began working with Matthew Corrin, Founder & CEO of Freshii in 2008. Helping grow the brand to over 100 locations in over 10 countries with a current opening rate of 1 a week.[12]
The Halal Guys
In June 2014, Fransmart began representing the famous cult offering The Halal Guys, the food carts with the never-ending lines in New York City.[13]
Mamoun's Falafel
Fransmart began representing Mamoun's Falafel Restaurant in 2015.
Neds Noodle Bar
Fransmart began representing Neds Noodle Bar in 2015.
Qdoba Mexican Grill
Dan Rowe, the founder of Fransmart began representing Z-Teca in 1998 and was one of the Brands that helped launch Fransmart in 2000. The brand changed its name to Qdoba, even though Z-Teca was a made-up name, there were lawsuits made because the name was too similar to other brands and it infringed on their trade names. In 2003 Qdoba was purchased by Jack in the Box for $45 million.
Slapfish
A seafood Brand founded by celebrity chef Andrew Gruel and his partner Jethro Naude.
Wolfgang Puck Express
Founded by world-renowned celebrity chef Wolfgang Puck.
zpizza
zpizza is a pizza franchise based in Newport Beach, California has locations across the United States and Fransmart expanded them out to the east coast.[14]
References
- ↑ "Fransmart launches private equity firm to fuel restaurant growth". Fast Casual. Network Media Group. 2013-12-10.
- ↑ "Fransmart Europe now open in Germany". Fast Casual. Network Media Group. 2014-03-27.
- ↑ http://investing.businessweek.com/research/stocks/private/snapshot.asp?privcapId=28674871
- ↑ http://fransmart.com/franchise-services.html
- ↑ http://www.bigsmokeburger.com/
- ↑ http://bowlofheaven.com/
- ↑ http://www.vendyawards.streetvendor.org/
- ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d0nj5AOajwg
- ↑ "Washington Business Report Dec. 23, 2012". WJLA. 2012-12-23.
- ↑ Elevation Burger#History
- ↑ "Five Guys Burgers: America's Fastest Growing Restaurant Chain". Forbes.com. 2012-07-18.
- ↑ "Freshii Signs First Master Deal with Industry Expert Jan. 21, 2009". Franchisewire. 2009-01-21.
- ↑ "The Halal Guys: Cashing In on Street Cred". NY Times. 2014-06-13.
- ↑ "Z Pizza plans to expand to D.C.". The Washington Times. 2004-02-16.