Franchising Concepts Acquires Rising Roll Gourmet

By: Rising Roll Gourmet | 1 Shares 610 Reads

Prepares to Dominate Fast-Casual Segment with Lunch Crowd Niche

Atlanta, GA. (August 16, 2007) – Franchising Concepts, a powerful development company that grows successful regional franchise brands into major national chains, announced today that it has acquired the remaining ownership of Rising Roll Gourmet from Rising Brands, LLC – positioning the 12-unit, fast-casual, lunch-hour concept for future marketplace domination.

Rising Roll, voted the "Best Sandwich Shop" in Atlanta, specializes in 50 different gourmet sandwiches, salads and soups targeted to the lunch-hour crowd. The Georgia hot spot for lunch goers earned heightened popularity after being hired by The Food Network's gourmet chef, Emeril Lagasse, for his personal Superbowl party.

As part of the transaction, Franchising Concepts has retained Rising Roll Gourmet founders Jeff and Bob Weiss as store owners and concept developers, utilizing their knowledge of the food industry and culinary arts for continued menu development. In addition, Franchising Concepts has contracted with The Findley Group, headed by Gary Findley, the former Curves International president credited with growing the nation's largest women's-only fitness chain to 8,000 units. The partnership calls for a four-tier plan to boost brand exposure, enhance service and support to franchisees, strengthen leadership, and grow the brand through unit sales.

"Jeff and Bob's drive and tenacity made Rising Roll what it is today, and now we're well positioned to take it to the next level," said Franchising Concepts CEO Mike Lassiter, a former Area Developer for Schlotzsky's Deli and well-known name in the franchising industry. "They had the vision to get Rising Roll to a very good place. We'll still benefit from their wisdom and knowledge as culinary experts, while Franchising Concepts and The Findley Group will provide the resources and management skills to fuel continued nationwide expansion."

Further solidifying the Rising Roll management team, Franchising Concepts, which also backs the growing franchise brands Justix (grilled food on a stick) and Ageless Remedies (a skin care spa), has brought on David Smith as Chief Operating Officer. Smith has 15 years+ of broad-based experience in the franchise, retail, service and consulting environments. Most recently, Smith served as Senior Director of Franchise Operations for Heavenly Ham, where he lead the growth of the system to more than 200 units while achieving historically high sales growth and unit profitability.

With this powerhouse team in place and13 stores already operating in six states, covering a total of 35 territories, Rising Roll Gourmet is poised to create a nationwide sensation. Lassiter and Findley anticipate 80-100 Rising Roll locations will be operating within the next five years.

"Mike (Lassiter) and Gary (Findley) bring a wealth of skills, experience, and energy needed to bring Rising Roll to its full potential," said Rising Roll founder Jeff Weiss. "Collectively, they have a proven track record of high standards that will lead to both national growth of the brand, as well as increasing performance of existing stores."

About Rising Roll Gourmet

Rising Roll Gourmet, founded in 1996, began offering franchises in 2003. Rising Roll prides itself on serving outstanding, quality food – fast. Founded by father and son team, Bob and Jeff Weiss, Rising Roll uses a simple formula of tasty family recipes, fresh ingredients, and exceptional service to stand out to lunch time crowds across the nation. The result is supreme taste bud attracters such as, "Killer Bleu Turkey," with crumbled bleu cheese, oven-roasted turkey, hickory smoked bacon, tomato, and Thousand Island dressing on home baked bread.

With currently 13 stores open and 35 territories sold, Rising Roll Gourmet is set to be the next 'rising' star in the fast-casual, restaurant industry.

About Franchising Concepts

Founded in 2002, Franchising Concepts partners with proven businesses to develop and implement a customized franchising program to meet business growth objectives. Under the guidance of CEO, Mike Lassiter, a former Area Developer for Schlotzsky's Deli, Franchising Concepts applies the value of quality over quantity across its variety of business relationships. They also offer four types of partnership plans to companies interested in expanding their business through franchising, in order to develop a beneficial plan for both parties.

About The Findley Group

Founded in 2004, the Findley Group is a franchise consulting and development company led by the former president and franchise-builder of Curves International, Gary Findley. Under Findley's direction as president, Curves International experienced growth in franchises from 50 locations in 1996 to more than 8,000 in 2006. Currently, the Findley Group is working with eight innovative and exciting companies who have unique offerings for today's marketplace. The Findley Group specializes in bringing new business concepts to the market and developing them into complete franchise offerings.