With more than 140 franchise and company-owned locations open or under development, Corner Bakery Cafe expects to open at least 47 restaurants in the three markets as part of previously announced plans to double its footprint in the US over the next four years. The growth will be accomplished primarily through franchising.
"These markets are a perfect for Corner Bakery Cafe," says Jonathan Benjamin, vice president of franchising at Corner Bakery Cafe. "Each is known for their strong neighborhoods and with our neighborhood approach to development, we expect each new restaurant to quickly become a favorite gathering place for local families and friends. Add the fact that fast casual is the fastest growing segment of the restaurant industry, and that makes Corner Bakery Cafe an ideal concept for entrepreneurs and multi-unit operators looking for new opportunities in these markets."
The targeted expansion calls for 18 new restaurants in Minneapolis-St. Paul, 18 in Orlando and 11 in Portland. Corner Bakery Cafe is currently evaluating potential franchisees for each market.
"Based on the exceptional success we are experiencing with both existing and new restaurants, we are convinced that now is the time to be even more aggressive in our efforts to take Corner Bakery cafe into new markets," says Benjamin.
Evolving from its start in 1991 as a small bread bakery in downtown Chicago, Corner Bakery Cafe is today a national cornerstone of the fast casual dining segment thanks to an innovative menu, its neighborhood approach to development and exceptional unit level economics, including an average $2.2 million in annual sales volume and an attractive AUV/Investment Ratio.
Corner Bakery Cafe's made-to-order menu features hot breakfast scramblers, signature panini and sandwiches, homemade soups, hand-tossed salads, pastas and decadent desserts while providing a place to gather with family and friends. Corner Bakery Cafe also provides a robust, best-in-class catering platform, presenting fresh food perfectly packaged for delivery or pick up.
