Vicious Biscuit, the hottest fast-casual biscuit experience in the Southeast, selects Northeast Ohio as the site for its first franchise location as it launches its national franchise expansion strategy. The brand is thrilled to welcome franchise partners and native Ohioans Carl Albright, Ken Troutman, Dave Ost, and Curtis Fox to the breakfast rebellion.
The inaugural Vicious Biscuit franchise is scheduled to open in early 2024 in Montrose and is part of a six-unit Area Development Agreement within Summit, Medina, and Cuyahoga Counties. Residents of these areas will soon get to experience a taste of Vicious’ over-the-top scratch-made biscuits, piled high with bold, chef-inspired ingredients, and served with a generous side of Southern hospitality.
“The decision to franchise with Vicious Biscuit was driven by several key factors,” says Albright. “First and foremost, we were excited about the quality of the food and the overall vibe of the restaurant. It’s different, unlike anything in Northeast Ohio, with a more youthful feel and more energy. People love to go out to breakfast, but they’re looking for something new, fresher, and different, and we believe Vicious Biscuit will provide that. The breakfast business hours appealed to us, aligning well with the local labor market for hiring. Additionally, the prospect of working together, given our successful careers, was an exciting opportunity for us all.”
The Rise of Vicious Biscuit
Emerging from the culinary epicenter of Charleston, South Carolina, Vicious Biscuit has carved a niche in breakfast and brunch excellence, striking a rebellious balance between fast-casual dining and the genuine hospitality typically associated with traditional full-service establishments. The menu, which showcases biscuit creations like The Fat Boy, The Flame Thrower, and The Vicious, is complemented by Southern classics such as Sweet Puppies, Beignets, Shrimp and Grits and its signature jams and house-made butters. The drink menu also offers an unexpected twist, highlighting its freshly squeezed mimosas and craft cocktails, for the ultimate Vicious experience.
Having successfully disrupted the breakfast fast-casual occasion with its flagship restaurant in 2018, and with the opening of five additional company-owned locations, Vicious Biscuit launched its franchising program in early 2023, partnering with emerging brand accelerator Pivotal Growth Partners (PGP) to lead franchise growth and development. With seven franchisee deals totaling nearly 40 units in the works, Vicious Biscuit expects to reach 75 locations over the next five years.
The expansion into Ohio marks the 4th new state for the brand, which currently has locations in South Carolina, North Carolina, and Florida.
“We are incredibly excited to partner with Dave, Carl, Curtis and Ken as we expand into Ohio and open our very first franchise location,” says George McLaughlin, co-founder of Vicious Biscuit. “Their passion and serious experience, combined with our shared vision for exceptional dining experiences, makes them the perfect team to introduce our brand to the Buckeye State. We’re confident that the unique appeal of Vicious Biscuit, already familiar to many Ohioans who vacation in South Carolina, will resonate strongly in this new market.”
Recipe for Success
The trailblazing team at the helm of the first-ever Vicious Biscuit franchise unites under the banner of “GMA Biscuits, LLC”. Each franchisee contributes a unique perspective and set of talents, setting the stage for a dynamic and successful venture.
- Carl Albright has a history of climbing the corporate ladder at InfoCision, a global call center operation based in Akron. His journey led him from a pivotal role in the company to launching his own consulting firm, demonstrating his entrepreneurial spirit and business acumen.
- Curtis Fox, at the helm of Fox Brothers Construction, brings a wealth of knowledge from his extensive background in the restaurant industry, adding a crucial layer of expertise to the team.
- Ken Troutman brings a wealth of experience from his 28-year tenure as the former VP of Call Center Operations and Non-profit Fundraising at InfoCision. He also has small business expertise as the owner and operator of Pecchio Landscaping.
- Dave Ost combines his experience as the owner of an executive search company with the hands-on knowledge he gained running a mom-and-pop bagel deli restaurant, offering a unique blend of strategic insight and practical know-how.
Ost commented on the support his partnership group has received from Vicious Biscuit’s corporate team. “I have previous experience as an independent restaurant owner. Through this process, I see the immense benefits of franchising. We’ve been leaning heavily on corporate, and their attentiveness and support through every step of the development process has been extraordinary from the start. Their guidance has been invaluable in navigating this new venture.”
Vicious Biscuit is seeking both single and multi-unit operators to join the ranks of its breakfast revolutionaries and help spread its Vicious hospitality across the U.S.
