Focus Brands, the parent company of Auntie Anne’s, Carvel, Cinnabon, Jamba, McAlister’s Deli, Moe’s Southwest Grill and Schlotzsky’s, sees dual branding as the future of quick service. Using its iconic brands and innovative concepts, the company currently counts 175-plus open dual branded units with at least 65 more in various stages of development across the country.
In 2023, the Focus Brands portfolio brands have signed agreements to open more than 50 dual and tri-brand locations, many of which include drive-thrus for added convenience. The company’s dual-branded concepts have previously been found in malls and non-traditional locations, such as its Auntie Anne’s and Cinnabon stores, but the company has found new opportunities with streetside dual branded units.
“Dual branding is the future of our brands, especially on the specialty side of the business,” says Brian Krause, chief development officer at Focus Brands. “There will always be a place in malls, but there is an immense amount of growth opportunity in streetside venues, and, by dual branding, there is more opportunity for enhanced revenue.”
Focus Brands has identified four dual-brand concepts that offer thoughtful brand pairings for consumers and appealing business opportunities for brand franchisees:
- Auntie Anne’s/Cinnabon
- Auntie Anne’s/Cinnabon/Carvel
- Auntie Anne’s/Jamba
- Cinnabon/Carvel – The first Cinnabon Swirl is set to open early 2023, with franchise opportunities slated to be available soon after.
“More than ever, we are harmonizing the way that we do things across our brands which reduces the friction that sometimes can be created when establishing a co-brand or multi-brand,” says Krause. “Not only does dual branding present an attractive business opportunity, but with the Focus Brands portfolio, brand franchisees gain access to key benefits as a result of the power of our portfolio. This includes efficiency, shared resources, menu diversity, and more.”
