Just Fresh Signs
Franchise Agreements
For 44 New Units in Four Markets
CHARLOTTE
– Just Fresh, Inc. has signed agreements with franchisees
in four major U.S. markets calling for construction of 44 new Just Fresh
restaurants over the next five years.
New markets for the popular “fast casual” bakery/cafe concept
include Raleigh/Durham/Chapel Hill, North Carolina, Washington, D.C.,
Richmond, Virginia and an expansion in Charleston, South Carolina, which
has four existing franchise locations. The franchise units will join
eight company-owned restaurants currently operating in Charlotte and
Columbia, SC.
The new franchise owners are:
Just Tri, Inc.,
a North Carolina corporation owned by Lauren Fitts and Martha Durnett,
has entered into an Area Development Agreement for eight cafes in
the Raleigh/Durham/Chapel Hill, North Carolina, area and four in Richmond,
Virginia. The first Just Fresh Café will be opened on Fayetteville
Road in Durham by the end of 2004.
Rogue Development, LLC,
a Delaware corporation owned by Sean Clancy and Brett Melvin, has
entered into an Area Representative Agreement for 30 cafes in Washington,
D.C. and surrounding counties in Maryland and Virginia. The first
Just Fresh Café is scheduled to open in early 2005.
Palmetto
Food Group, LLC,
a South Carolina corporation owned by G. Dana Sinkler Jr., has entered
into an Area Development Agreement for six cafes in the Greater Charleston,
SC, area. Four Just Fresh Cafes are currently in operation. The two
remaining cafes will open by December 31, 2005.
Utilizing
its successful operating history, fresh food approach and growing market
appeal, Just Fresh expects to continue expansion of its franchise network,
reaching out to thousands of customers in new markets throughout the U.S.
The company plans to have 100 restaurants under contract or operating
in 10 states in the next three years.
“Just Fresh responds fully to the demands of time-crunched consumers
who are looking for quality, freshly prepared meals and meals on-the-go,”
Whitney Montgomery, the company’s Founder and Chief Executive Officer,
said. “Busy people generally don’t like to waste time waiting
for food to be prepared or waiting to pay. And when they are served, they
want the food to meet their expectations for taste, freshness and value.
“Just Fresh meets all their requirements,” Montgomery adds.
“Our menu is diverse and has broad appeal – from fresh-baked
goods – including breads, muffins, croissants and cookies -- to
fresh soups, salads, pastas, sandwiches, hot wraps, quesadillas, pizza,
breakfast items, juices and desserts. We also offer an inviting gathering
place for friends and families for meals, meetings or conversation.”
The Just Fresh business concept
evolved in the early 1990s after Montgomery and his father-in-law, Robert
Avinger, a former economics professor turned money manager, began exploring
the idea of opening a juice bar to capitalize on the growing national
trend toward healthier nutritional habits.
On-site research at juice bar havens on the West Coast quickly revealed
they needed to offer more than juice to attract customers and be profitable.
They needed complementary products that still focused on quick service
and a healthy lifestyle.
After more research, Just Fresh was born, capitalizing on the multiple
trends of fresh-squeezed juices, gourmet coffee, fresh-baked goods and
premium-quality, made-to-order sandwiches, salads and soups. The first
Just Fresh Cafe opened in the Wachovia Atrium in Uptown Charlotte in March
1994. On the first day, the owners served 450 customers. The number quickly
grew to more than 1,000 customers a day.
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