Atlanta-based restaurant chain Tin Drum AsiaCafé announced a development agreement with business partners Imtiaz Ramzan, Ali and Ayaz Momin, and their company MRM, Inc. to open the first Tin Drum AsiaCafé restaurant in Gwinnett County, Georgia, a new market for the growing Pan Asian fast-casual chain.
The chain also recently announced its newest location in Atlanta, in Colony Square Midtown at 1197 Peachtree Street.
The dining spot, which is the franchise’s 11th unit, will be operated by franchisee Yogi Patel, who recently opened Tin Drum locations at Emory University and owns the unit at Georgia State University.
Founder and CEO Steven Chan began franchising Tin Drum in 2011 and expects to double the company’s corporate and franchise unit base by the end of 2012.
Tin Drum is actively pursuing franchisees in the southern states of Georgia, Alabama, Tennessee, Florida, and the Carolinas.
With a menu that reflects the bold street food of Chan’s childhood in Hong Kong, the fast-casual franchise meets a growing demand for ethnic dining.
A recent Technomic study found that 77 percent of consumers purchase ethnic foods and flavors away from home at least once a month, yet only a quarter of consumers polled report they are satisfied with the availability of ethnic offerings at limited-service.
Tin Drum features more than 35 menu items made with Thai, Japanese, Chinese, Vietnamese, and Indian influences and 15 signature sauces.
The chain also offers a wide variety of options to help manage special diets, including a gluten-free menu.
Tin Drum is certified by Healthy Dining Finder and offers guests SmartMenukiosks by UsableHealth, the only self-ordering system to customize meals based on dietary needs and taste preferences.
“Atlanta has truly embraced Tin Drum’s unique menu and its edgy and urban vibe,” Chan says. “We are thrilled to announce the continued rapid expansion throughout the Atlanta area.”
Other Atlanta-area restaurants include: Georgia Tech Midtown Campus, Atlantic Station, Roswell Road, Dunwoody (Perimeter Village), Lindbergh, Emory Village, and Georgia State University.
