The Pittsburgh restaurant scene has matured and investors are starting to take notice. Corner Bakery Cafe, a fast-casual restaurant concept known for its ingredient-inspired menu and neighborhood cafe atmosphere, announced its expansion in Pennsylvania with the addition of eight neighborhood cafes throughout Northern Pittsburgh.
“An emerging local food scene combined with a thriving economy make Pittsburgh the perfect place for Corner Bakery Cafe as we continue to expand our national footprint,” says Gregg Koffler, vice president of franchise sales for Corner Bakery Cafe. “As restaurants continue to open at a rapid pace in Pittsburgh, our customizable menu and strong local team on the ground will differentiate our brand in the market. This is just the first step of our expansion plan as we are seeking additional experienced franchise developers to grow the concept in the southern half of the city.”
Bringing the neighborhood cafe franchise to Northern Pittsburgh is a group of experienced franchisees with extensive real estate and retail experience. The trio previously managed and owned several casual dining concepts, making them an ideal franchise group for the brand.
According to Black Box Intelligence, a financial performance benchmarking company, the restaurant industry has posted four consecutive quarters of positive growth, with growth rates above one percent for each of those quarters. Specifically, the fast-casual segment sales have dwarfed that of the industry since 2013.
“Our growth is a reflection of the industry. We believe now is the time to grab hold of the momentum behind the fast-casual segment. People are choosing to eat out more, particularly at fast-casual brands that offer healthy and customizable options,” says Gary Price, president of Corner Bakery Cafe. “In addition to the industry trend, the community aspect of Corner Bakery Cafe really has appealed to consumers and is fueling our growth in towns such as Pittsburgh, which have a strong sense of pride. Our latest franchisee group has vested interests in the city and is excited to offer a community gathering spot for their friends and family.”
With more than 190 company-owned and franchise cafes open, and franchise agreements representing commitments for 398 units, Corner Bakery Cafe continues its momentum and matches that of the restaurant industry.
With a strong strategic expansion plan in place, Corner Bakery Cafe continues to make significant progress on doubling its national franchisee operated bakery cafe footprint in the next several years. To accomplish this goal, the brand is adding new multi-unit franchisees to develop the concept in growth markets across the country.
