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The Fifties Grill and Dairy, located at 1514 Washington St., is one of two, locally owned restaurants which is in the early stages of becoming a regional franchise. The grill and dairy owners, Mike and Steve Jones, hope to go national with their brand and continue their legacy in the food business.
A local restaurant company is set to start franchising operations with a regional expansion project.
Fifties Grill and Dairy has partnered with Franchise Marketing Systems, an Atlanta-based company, to begin the process of expanding regionally.
For co-owners and brothers, Mike and Steve Jones, the founders and proprietors of Fifties Grill and Dairy, expanding and franchising is a dream come true and another step in the family’s business evolution.
“Our dad owned a Dairy Queen franchise,” said Steve Jones. “When we opened our stores, we tried to model it between various fast-food chain models and a sit-down restaurant. However, we added and focused on an extra layer of quality to our products – with a 1950s era for our decor as the backdrop.”
For Chris Conner, the president of FMS, Fifties offers a unique and expansive menu with high-quality, reasonable-cost, price-points, which in his opinion sets them apart from other franchising options.
“From the tasty burgers to a large menu selection, to the reasonable price-points and the unique throw-back design and layout, this is a winning situation when it comes to selling this model as a franchise,” he said. “Most fast-food places only offer basic burgers, shakes and side-item options. But, here, you have a full menu.”
However, as is with most things, teamwork is also an essential ingredient, and it’s no different with the Jones brothers.
“We owe a lot of our successes to the amazing staff we have (and has worked for us in the past) that work for us; a devoted and loyal customer base; customer word-of-mouth advertising and a supportive family all contributed and got us to the point we’re looking at franchising now,” said Steve Jones.
Mark Jones believes that the partnership with FMS management will propel Fifties to the next level of business for them.
“Chris Conner is accomplished in the world of franchise,” he said. “He’s worked with big businesses, and I believe he’ll help us expand regionally first. Our goal is to establish franchises in Pennsylvania, Ohio and Florida first.”
According to fmsfranchise.com, Conner has worked with and helped establish franchises with corporations such as Anytime Fitness, Baxter Healthcare, Blimpie, Hungry Howie’s Pizza, Restoration 1, Smash My Trash and Two Men and a Truck. Furthermore, Conner oversees a staff of 28 developers, and Since 2009, has developed more than 400 franchises.
“It’s about finding the right product that has a marketability to it. Fifties is marketable, has a great cost-point, high-quality food. I think it will take off and be a big hit,” said Conner.
For the Jones brothers, this is the direction they want to go.
“We want to share our legacy and our products with a larger audience and crowd. We will maintain our standards and work with whomever franchises,” said Mike Jones. “We will be with them every step of the way.”
For more information about franchising contact 1-866-259-2916.