Local entrepreneurs invited to join CEO Mike Rotondo on Nov. 18 to learn about business opportunities
On the heels of the recent national franchise launch, Tin Drum Asiacafe, a fast casual concept focused on fresh, affordable, authentic Asian street food, announced today the signing of two franchise agreements to open new locations in Newnan and Alpharetta, Ga. in 2016. Tin Drum currently has 12 restaurants in Greater Atlanta and is actively seeking potential franchise candidates to continue expanding the brand’s presence in the market.
Among the new franchisee partners is Fayetteville-based Altaf Popatiya. With nearly 10 years of experience in the service industry, he previously owned and operated convenient stores and gas stations with his wife and sister-in-law. Popatiya signed an agreement to develop a Tin Drum restaurant in Newnan, which he expects to open in the first quarter of 2016. While an official location has not been identified, the franchisees are eyeing somewhere along Bullsboro Drive. Popatiya plans to open additional locations in the state once the Newnan restaurant is up and running.
Alonso Nava and Patricia Gomez have also recently signed an agreement to open a Tin Drum in Alpharetta. Nava and Gomez will open their restaurant in early 2016, with hopes to eventually open more locations in the coming years. Prior to becoming Tin Drum franchisees, the two owned and operated a hotel and restaurant in Venezuela for nearly a decade where they gained extensive experience and knowledge in the hospitality and service industries.
“Tin Drum Asiacafe is on the verge of explosive franchise growth, and our success over the past decade is a testament to the brand’s adaptable business model, and of course, the quality and authenticity of our menu items,” said Charles Watson, vice president of franchise development for Tin Drum Asiacafe. “Asian concepts are on the rise in the fast casual sector, and we’re aggressively looking for qualified entrepreneurs eager to jump on the trend and join a brand that is poised for tremendous growth.”
To keep up the momentum in the market, Tin Drum Asiacafe franchise executives, including chief executive officer, Mike Rotondo, and vice president of franchise development, Charles Watson, will host a special event on Wednesday, Nov. 18 from 7-9 p.m. Local entrepreneurs are invited to learn about franchise opportunities with the fast casual brand and will be treated to food samples and a tour of the cafe. The event will be held at the Tin Drum Asiacafe located at 2566 Briarcliff Road NE in Atlanta.
“We’re headquartered in Atlanta so this is home base for us, and we are excited to expand our presence within the community and beyond,” added Watson.
Tin Drum Asiacafe provides the same fast service and convenience typical of Asian street-side cafes, and cooks each dish to order, prepares meals using fresh, simple ingredients and serves guests table-side in a stylishly designed, contemporary setting. The menu is a dynamic and varied mix of traditional Asian fare with bold favors and features cuisine inspired by the cultures of China, India, Pakistan, Japan, Korea, Thailand and Vietnam.
To fuel Tin Drum Asiacafe’s growth, the company is seeking single- and multi-unit operators with restaurant experience. Potential franchisee candidates should have a minimum net worth of $500,000, liquid assets of at least $150,000 and be willing to invest between $375,000 to $500,000.
Tin Drum Asiacafe’s aggressive franchise growth is backed by the entrepreneurs at the BIP Franchise Accelerator, a division of venture capital firm BIP Capital, which purchased the brand in 2012. BIP Capital has invested more than $250 million in emerging, high-growth brands across the franchising, software, and technology and consumer products industries. In 2014, BIP Capital created the BIP Franchise Accelerator to leverage its leadership team’s deep franchise experience to help emerging brands accelerate their growth. In addition to Tin Drum Asiacafe, the BIP Franchise Accelerator’s portfolio includes Tropical Smoothie Cafe, which has expanded from 200 locations to over 450 in the last five years and has reported double-digit comp sales growth since 2013.
For more information about franchise opportunities with Tin Drum Asiacafe, visit tindrumfranchise.com.
With 12 locations throughout the metro Atlanta area and one location in Tampa, Tin Drum Asiacafe focuses on fresh, affordable, authentic Asian street food. Inspired by both music and bustling Asian street-side cafes, the menu carries bold flavor profiles and all food is cooked fresh to order in an open kitchen. The space invites all taste buds and styles, and looks to elevate the fast casual dining experience with thoughtful, modern design elements and surprising, delightful details. For more information about Tin Drum Asiacafe, visit tindrumcafe.com.
