Franchising

Focus Brands to expand non-traditional locations

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December 16, 2021

Focus Brands is accelerating its non-traditional unit expansion, according to a press release.

The parent company of iconic brands Auntie Anne's, Carvel, Cinnabon, Jamba, McAlister's Deli, Moe's Southwest Grill, and Schlotzsky's, will open non-traditional locations, including airports, convenience stores, amusement parks, colleges, ghost kitchens and other high-trafficked venues.

Today, across the entire family of brands, there are 954 non-traditional units open across the U.S. with an additional 313 units in the pipeline, but there is demand to grow further.

"We're fortunate to have a variety of brands in multiple verticals that have the brand awareness and development prototypes ideal for non-traditional locations. As we continue to grow, it's crucial in this competitive market to identify non-traditional opportunities that will build awareness for our brands, while turning profits for our brands' franchisees," Brian Krause, chief development officer of Focus Brands, said in the release. "Knowing that there's high demand for our brands, we want to expand in the right non-traditional venues to ensure we're building accessibility and giving our guests more opportunities to enjoy their favorite food and beverage. We're looking forward to adding new units to the development pipeline and to opening additional locations in the coming months."

Non-traditional growth exploded for the Focus family of brands in 2021, signing deals and opening locations in exciting new venues like convenience stores and travel plazas, airports, amusement parks, colleges and universities, ghost kitchens and the addition of Jamba's second robotic kiosk.

Atlanta-based Focus Brands is the franchisor and operator of more than 6,000 restaurants, cafes, ice cream shoppes, and bakeries in the United States, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and over 50 foreign countries.