Franchising

Fransmart launches platform for early-stage restaurant, franchise brands

Photo: Adobe Stock

August 7, 2025

Fransmart, a franchise development company, has launched an investment platform that allows individual accredited investors to co-invest alongside the firm in early-stage restaurant and franchise chains. The platform is designed for qualified investors with a minimum investment of $50,000.

"For years, we've helped launch emerging concepts into global brands, many generating billions in sales," Dan Rowe, founder and CEO of Fransmart, said in the press release. "Many of our larger franchisees ask for a chance to co-invest in the brands they are franchising. Now we're giving our franchisees and other qualified investors access to the earliest, most exciting stages of that journey and essentially splashing gas on a fire."

The company, known for its early investments in brands like CAVA and Sweetgreen, focuses on "angel-stage" concepts with strong unit economics and potential for rapid expansion.

"By the time brands are open in multiple markets and have predictable revenue streams, you've already missed the big returns," Rowe added. "We invest at the angel stage, when concepts are raw and revolutionary. That's where fortunes and founders' dreams are made."

To be considered for investment, brands must meet strict criteria, including two years of financial documentation, unit-level profitability, a compelling growth story, and franchisee satisfaction data. The concepts must also have strong fundamentals like good unit economics, control over their supply lines, and strong leadership teams.

Fransmart is a leader in franchise development, selling over 5,000 franchises worldwide and turning emerging franchise concepts into national and global brands for 25 years.