Naples Flatbread and Wine Bar founder Ralph Desiano announced plans to take the concept nationwide by offering franchise opportunities. Desiano opened the first location in Naples, Florida, in 2009, following that up with a restaurant in Estero, Florida, later that year and a third location in Naples in 2012. He also opened a pair of restaurants in Tulsa, Oklahoma, in 2012 and 2013 with his partner, Tulsa-based entrepreneur Jim Wilburn.
Naples Flatbread is seeking passionate, experienced business professionals, preferably seasoned restaurant operators, to partner with one of the original Flatbread leaders. Franchisee candidates should have a minimum net worth of $500,000 and liquid assets of at least $150,000 per restaurant. Depending on the real estate site selected, a renovated space could cost a franchisee about $250,000, while a new build could cost around $800,000.
Desiano says his goal is to keep things simple by equipping his kitchen with state-of-the-art cooking equipment to lock in great flavor combinations without the use of fryers, sauté, charbroilers, or any grease-producing equipment. This means cleaner, less expensive, and more efficient operations with no hood or ansul systems.
Naples Flatbread specializes in Neapolitan pizza and gourmet flatbreads cooked in a fiery hearth oven. The menu includes a wide assortment of flatbread toppings, hearth-baked pasta dishes, fire roasted wings, panini sandwiches on artisan bread, seasonal salads, osso buco, boneless short ribs, roasted salmon, a variety of desserts, and more. The dishes are accompanied by a selection of wine with over 30 varieties by the glass, a libations menu, and a variety of beers selected to complement the food offerings. A to-go menu is available, as well as catering services for weddings, meetings, parties, fundraisers, and more.
