Crescent City Beignet Expands Nationally

Crescent City Beignets, the nations largest chain of beignet restaurants, has signed an agreement with Fransmart to expand Crescent City Beignet restaurants across the country. Fransmart is a national franchise development company that has sold over 1,000 franchises for brands in its portfolio, mostly to large multi-unit franchisees of concepts such as Applebee's, Copeland's, Taco Bell, Papa Johns, Johnny Rockets, and others looking for non-competitive franchise concepts for expansion. There are 10 Crescent City Beignet restaurants open in Houston, Austin and Chicago, Illinois. Additionally, there are 15 more units under development by franchisees in Houston, San Antonio, Dallas and Denver, Colorado. Fransmart's development strategy is to target major media markets around the country and estimates there will be over 100 new units in development by the end of 2002. The first Crescent City Beignets was opened by Wayne and Tucker Bunch in 1997 in Houston, Texas. Like so many others who witness the impressive crowds trying to get in the famed Caf� du Monde in the French Quarter in New Orleans, the Bunch's originally approached the owners about franchising. When they were told Caf� du Monde wasn't franchising, they decided to venture on their own to bring the New Orleans coffeehouse experience to the rest of the country. To those from New Orleans, the term, "New Orleans coffeehouse experience" simply means a coffee house with amazing food. While the concept is centered around the signature "Beignets and Caf� au Lait", Crescent City Beignets also serves other popular New Orleans inspired menu items such as jambalaya, gumbo, red beans and rice, Creole dishes, sandwiches and entr�e salads. Business is spread evenly across breakfast, lunch and dinner and some restaurants enjoy a later night crowd. Restaurants are approximately 1,500 square feet, seat 60 guests, cost approximately $150,000 - $200,000 to open and average $500,000 - $600,000 in sales. Crescent City Beignets is approved by the SBA as an "approved franchisor", which means easy and rapid financing for new franchisees. As a result, most franchisees are securing multi-unit territories to develop and operate. "With food costs about half of a McDonalds or Subway, and 3:1 sales to investment ratios, there are all sorts of business reasons this chain will catch on with prospective franchisees. Then, when you consider the cult-like following Crescent City Beignets has in Houston, and the ("BAM!") popularity of New Orleans cuisine, there are just as many reasons customers will love this concept as well." Dan Rowe, CEO Fransmart For more information, please contact Mike Coughlin at (703) 549-5332 x 5136 or [email protected].

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