Parent company of Red Mango Yogurt Café & Juice Bar expands portfolio of franchise companies
BRIX Holdings, LLC, a newly-formed multi brand franchising company, today announced the addition of Smoothie Factoryand RedBrick Pizzato its growing roster of national franchise chains with plans to expand both concepts.
BRIX Holdings is an innovative multi-concept firm and parent company of popular frozen yogurt chain Red Mango, focusing on healthy eating concepts with the highest quality products and menus.
“Recognizing that there are numerous existing brands in the marketplace that are past the initial concept stage without the necessary ingredients to capitalize on their growth potential, BRIX Holdings was established to add the knowledge and resources needed to create that growth and business success,” said John Antioco, chairman of the board for BRIX Holdings.
Joe Vitrano has been appointed CEO of BRIX Holdings to manage a seasoned team of professionals who will expand and support the franchise chains.
“BRIX Holdings is acquiring promising concepts, enhancing the product offering, upgrading the branding, and utilizing its operations, administrative and franchising infrastructure to expand those concepts nationally and internationally,” Vitrano said. “BRIX Holdings is currently seeking franchisees nationally for Smoothie Factory, RedBrick Pizza and Red Mango Yogurt Café & Juice Bar.”
Founded in the North Texas suburb of Carrollton in 1996 by Jim Villasana, an Olympic athlete in search of healthful food options, Smoothie Factory has approximately 40 locations serving real fruit smoothies made from top quality ingredients and offering a large selection of nutritional supplements. BRIX Holdings plans to add a line of cold-squeezed fruit and vegetable juices to enhance the experience and create additional brand awareness as a retailer of health products. The chain will also offer a co-branded opportunity with Red Mango Yogurt Café & Juice Bar.
RedBrick Pizza started in California by founder Jim Minidis. The fast-casual restaurant features fire roasted gourmet pizzas, salads, Fhazani flatbread sandwiches and all natural Italian gelato all created from fresh ingredients. RedBrick Pizza uses only all natural premium ingredients and hand-crafted dough made fresh daily with olive oil to create its superior menu. With additional options for gluten and lactose allergies as well as a selection of low calorie pizza rusticas, RedBrick Pizza is the ultimate way for consumers to enjoy their favorite comfort food. For more than a decade the brand has been known for its fire-roasted, gourmet pizza and was named a Hot Concept by Nation’s Restaurant News in 2006.
BRIX Holdings has named Miguel Foegal as president of Smoothie Factory and RedBrick Pizza. Both concepts will include new prototypes with updated interiors.
As part of the acquisitions, founders Villasana and Minidis stay on in consultant roles.
In addition to the national expansion of Smoothie Factory and RedBrick Pizza, BRIX Holdings plans to focus Red Mango growth on the Red Mango Yogurt Café & Juice Bar concept.
Red Mango now has almost 300 locations open across the U.S., Mexico, El Salvador and Uruguay and recently opened its first Red Mango Yogurt Café & Juice Bar in Puerto Rico.
“These three concepts all fit into existing real estate that is readily available,” said Vitrano. “With the guidance of the BRIX Holdings leadership team, these brands all have the potential to grow very rapidly and deliver better opportunities for our franchise owners.”
