Franchisee success helped the beloved fast casual chain finalize multiple leases and explore corporate growth opportunities
Rise Southern Biscuits & Righteous Chicken, the nation’s fastest-growing biscuits and fried chicken concept, recently unveiled that for the first time in brand history, a franchised location has eclipsed $1.5 million in yearly revenue, with multiple additional locations in the system surpassing $1 million in sales as well. This incredible milestone was accomplished with the stores only being open from 7:00 am – 2:00 pm. With plans to continue to explore and implement innovative technology along with bringing additional locations to major media markets across the U.S., the popular Southern fast casual brand is poised to continue its successful growth trajectory.
According to Rise’s 2023 franchise disclosure document (FDD), which contains data collected from Rise’s 15 corporate-owned and franchised locations, the average franchisee gross revenue totaled $934,619* in 2022. Rise has benefitted greatly from its streamlined operations, featuring state-of-the-art technology such as touchscreen ordering kiosks, heated locker order delivery systems and a consumer-friendly mobile app. As a result of the brand’s efforts to reduce its hours and prioritize the breakfast and lunch day parts, it’s people-centric labor model has positioned its employee retention rates higher than ever.
Most recently, the brand secured new franchise growth opportunities in North Carolina, Winter Park, Florida and San Diego, California, in addition to scouting new locations for corporate expansion. Between Rise’s three affiliate locations, the average labor cost percentage amounted to less than 21% of sales. Additionally, each of the three stores kept food costs below 32% of sales, dipping as low as 29.81% at one of the disclosed affiliate-owned stores.
“We are always looking for new ways to make Rise Southern Biscuits a desired destination for employees and franchisees, which is why we place a large emphasis on the success of our people,” said Brian Wiles, chief operating officer of Rise Southern Biscuits & Righteous Chicken. “We are motivated now more than ever to continue elevating our labor model to not only attract new franchisees and employees but provide biscuit and chicken lovers alike a seamless, pleasant experience to enjoy a taste of Southern charm.”
Leading with the legacy of the late Rise Southern Biscuits Founder and CEO Tom Ferguson – a great visionary and trailblazer in the fast-casual realm – the franchise remains at the forefront of the breakfast and lunch fast casual space. The longtime chef and business owner has been described as a leader, mentor and devoted individual who encouraged others to believe in themselves. While Tom is missed by many, his vision lives on as Rise Southern Biscuits continues to implement his values every day.
Recently named to Fast Casual’s 2023 Top 100 Movers & Shakers list, Rise is partnered with Fransmart, the industry-leading franchise development company behind household brands like Five Guys Burgers & Fries and The Halal Guys, as its exclusive franchising partner to grow the brand.
“Year-over-year, Rise Southern Biscuits continues to forge ahead of the industry curve and raise the bar for new and experienced franchise operators alike with its streamlined technology, franchisee-friendly business model and focus on employee and customer satisfaction,” said Dan Rowe, CEO of Fransmart. “It should come as no surprise that Rise is already growing exponentially into another year with plans simmering in the wings to continue its commitment to serving the best dang biscuits in the country.”
Rise is actively looking for experienced multi-unit foodservice operators to develop additional franchises in major markets across the United States. To learn more about Rise franchising opportunities, please visit https://fransmart.com/rise-biscuits-chicken.
Rise was founded in 2012 by Culinary Institute of America-trained chef, Tom Ferguson. Described as a mixture of ‘old school, new school and our school,’ Rise serves up unique breakfast items, chicken sandwiches, and biscuits and has experienced incredible growth while focusing on the breakfast/lunch daypart. Rise’s innovative concept and expansive growth has earned the brand several spots in the past several years on the Fast Casual’s ‘Top 100 Movers & Shakers’ list and was also ranked as one of ‘The Best Biscuits In The U.S.’ by Food & Wine Magazine. Rise currently operates 19 locations in eight states, with over 100 units in development in major U.S. media markets. For more information, visit https://risebiscuitschicken.com.
As the leading franchise development firm in the country, Fransmart turns emerging restaurant concepts into successful national and global brands. Founded by Dan Rowe, the man who identified and grew brands such as Five Guys Burgers & Fries and QDOBA Mexican Grill from single unit businesses to the powerhouse chains they are today. Fransmart’s current and past franchise development portfolio brands have opened more than 5,000 restaurants worldwide and facilitated franchise investments that have cumulatively generated 1 billion dollars in revenue to date.?For more information, visit www.fransmart.com.
* The numbers illustrate the total Gross Revenue generated by the Franchisee-Owned Restaurants during the Applicable Measurement Period (Jan. 2022 to Dec. 2022), as stated in Item 19 of the Rise Disclosure Document dated May 24, 2023. “Gross Revenues” mean all revenues the Restaurant generates from all business conducted at or from its location including amounts received from the sale and delivery of food items, services, products, merchandise, and tangible property of any nature whatsoever, including proceeds from business interruption insurance, whether in cash or for credit, and whether collected or uncollected. Gross Revenues, however, does not include the amount of any applicable sales tax imposed by any federal, state, municipal or other governmental authority if such taxes are stated separately when the customer is charged and the Restaurant pays such amounts as and when due to the appropriate taxing authority. Also, excluded from Gross Revenues are: (i) the amounts of any documented refunds, chargebacks, credits and allowances given to customers in good faith pursuant to our standard procedures for issuing such refunds; and (ii) tip income and tip expense.
