Crushed Red, a progressive Urban Bake and Chop Shop franchise dishing up chopped-to-order salads and artisan-crafted whole grain pizzas, is targeting Kansas City for expansion in 2015. The company is seeking qualified franchise partners to develop restaurants throughout the market, serving up true artisan flavors and boosting the local economy with the creation of 35 jobs per location.
Since its inception, Crushed Red has focused on building its foundation in St. Louis, Missouri. As the area has become well established with two vibrant locations with a third in development, Crushed Red is shifting its focus to the Kansas City market. Having doubled in size since 2000 with 25 percent of the population made up of millennials, Kansas City's growing economy and large, high-value workforce remain attractive features as the “artisan fast” brand seeks to establish its presence in the market.
“As we continue to expand outside of our St. Louis roots, Crushed Red is looking for passionate, well-established food service investors to join our team and grow the brand in Kansas City,” says Chris LaRocca, founder of Crushed Red. “Our restaurants have been very successful in the St. Louis market, and with the downtown development boom well underway, Kansas City offers prospects access to promising locations with the backing of an established brand that is committed to supporting our franchisees in every step of the way.”
Crushed Red offers artisan-crafted salads and pizzas as well as the option to customize your own salads and pizzas with an array of fresh ingredients. The salads are all chopped-to-order and organically dressed. The pizzas are built on the foundation of a whole grain crust developed by Mike Marino, the former national director of baking operations for Panera Bread. The dough is stretched by hand, topped with an organic tomato sauce, and then baked in a gas-fired oven and served up in 90 seconds. Crushed Red also serves all-natural soups, savory appetizers, wine, and beer.
Crushed Red has two locations open in St. Louis and a third in development, as well as six locations in the development pipeline for Denver, Colorado, with two slated to open in 2015. The company is currently seeking multi-unit operators with a proven track record in successful restaurant operations who are passionate about the brand and committed to providing an outstanding guest experience.
