Boston’s Kelly’s Roast Beef wants to expand the brand to neighboring New Hampshire, across New England and beyond. The staple which has been in Boston for over 70 years has announced plans to develop new restaurants across Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and now New Hampshire. The brand is announcing they want to open three new franchise locations in the Concord and Manchester areas of the state.

This planned expansion announcement comes after the brand launched its franchise opportunity last year, opening up the opportunity for qualified candidates to launch a Kelly’s of their own. Looking to bring a taste of Boston to new communities throughout the Northeast is Neil Newcomb, CEO of Kelly’s Roast Beef Franchising. As a franchise industry veteran who co-founded McAlister’s Deli, Newcomb has plans to grow Kelly’s to up to 50 locations in the next five years and believes that Concord and Manchester are great communities for Kelly’s Roast Beef.

“As we continue to grow, we have gotten a lot of interest in New Hampshire,” says Newcomb. “People want us to grow in areas like Concord and Manchester so they don’t have to drive an hour to reach the nearest Kelly’s. We are excited to grow in New England communities like these where we can reach long-time Kelly’s fans while also introducing the brand to newcomers.” 

The history of Kelly’s dates back to 1951, when founders Frank McCarthy and Ray Carey first worked together at the Paul Roger House in Revere Beach. The duo decided to go into business together and opened up a hot dog stand next door while continuing to work at the inn’s restaurant. The iconic roast beef sandwich was created on a whim one night after a wedding was cancelled, and the two took the roast beef from the event over to their hot dog stand and served it on a grilled hamburger roll. 

Newcomb launched Kelly’s Roast Beef’s franchise opportunity just before the pandemic, and has been connecting with prospects steadily, despite in-person limitations.

“The timing of everything has slowed us down a little bit, but our plans to grow are still very solid,” adds Newcomb. “We have been in touch with a lot of great prospects who want to open up their own Kelly’s, and we know that this growth will be well-received by the local community.”