Emerging ‘Fasual’ Restaurant Franchise Looks to Grow through Multi-Unit Franchisees
Blast & Brew, a restaurant franchise offering customizable Neapolitan pizzas, salads, split focaccia sandwiches, appetizers, and more than 30 self-pour craft beer options, has tapped the expertise of industry veteran Mike Reynolds to help grow the young brand and attract new franchise prospects. Seasoned California restaurant group Milano International is behind the concept, which recently signed a 12-unit deal on the Central Coast of California.
“Blast & Brew is creating a new dining category – ‘fasual’ – by capturing both on-the-go consumers looking for the traditional fast-casual pizza experience, and guests who prefer the options of a casual dine-in restaurant,” said Reynolds, who is the Chief Development Officer for Milano. “The leadership behind the brand is unparalleled, and I look forward introducing the Blast & Brew concept to experienced restauranteurs and franchisees looking to grow their portfolio.”
With a long history in franchise development, Reynolds has sold more than 1,000 franchises domestically and internationally during his 25 plus year career in the industry. Most recently, he served as president and CEO of casual dining concept Rock and Brews, where he was responsible for doubling the chain’s valuation in just 14 months and signing new multi-unit development agreements throughout the country, among other accomplishments as the brand’s first CEO.
Prior to that, Reynolds was chief development officer for smoothie brand Robeks, where he is credited with selling 80 franchise and multi-unit development agreements as part of the overhaul of the development team, in addition to increasing overall store revenue and implementing a co-branding partnership with Subway. Reynolds was also co-founder and senior vice president of national brand Big City Bagels. He additionally has held senior level development positions at Arby’s and Grand Met, the parent corporation for Burger King and Häagen-Dazs.
Blast & Brew uses fresh, hand-stretched dough and more than 40 locally-sourced and regionally-tailored ingredients and house-made sauces for its unlimited varieties of pizza, split-focaccia sandwiches, fresh salads, and hearty appetizers. Guests also have the option of customizing their beer experience through a pre-paid program that allows them to choose from more than 30 local and regional craft brews that they pour themselves.
The Blast & Brew franchise currently has one location in San Luis Obispo that opened in March 2016, which is owned by California-based franchise group Cristallo ventures LLC. The group signed a 12-unit agreement to develop additional Blast & Brews throughout Santa Barbara, Ventura and San Luis Obispo counties over the next eight years. Additionally, Milano plans to rebrand its Blast 825 units under the Blast & Brew name and concept.
Blast & Brew is seeking qualified franchise partners with restaurant experience to develop Blast & Brew restaurants in regions of California, Texas and Arizona. Blast & Brew locations require between 2,500 and 3,500 feet of retail space, with patio, dine-in and carry out opportunities. Franchise prospects should have restaurant or retail experience and the total investment to become a Blast & Brew franchisee ranges from $550,000 to $750,000.
Blast & Brew offers guests a completely customizable experience from its quick-fired Neapolitan pizzas, split Focaccia sandwiches, the freshest salads and a wide variety of signature appetizers, to its self-pour craft beer offerings. Blast & Brew is a division of parent company Milano Restaurants International Corporation, a restaurant management company representing six brands, which has operated Me& Ed’s pizza with 70 locations for over 50 years. Milano is headquartered in Fresno, Calif. The brand began franchising in 2016 and is currently focusing on growth in the Southwest part of the U.S. For more information on the Blast & Brew brand, or to inquire about franchise opportunities, visit http://www.blastandbrew.com. For more information on Milano Restaurants, visit http://www.milano-ri.com.
