Franchising

Modern Market jumps into franchising

Provided

September 14, 2022

Modern Market Eatery has signed a 41-unit development deal with its first franchise partner, Thrive Restaurant Group, to expand the brand into 11 markets, including Wichita and Kansas City, Kansas; Austin, San Antonio and Waco, Texas; Des Moines, Iowa; Charlotte and Raleigh, North Carolina; and Northwest Arkansas.

Based in Wichita, Kansas, Thrive Restaurant Group is the fifth-largest Applebee's franchisee and operates over 100 restaurants nationwide, including its own brands: Carlos O'Kelly's, HomeGrown and BakeSale.

"Any brand's first franchise partner is extremely special, but what makes Thrive Restaurant Group exceptional is their passion for our shared values," Rob McColgan, Modern Market co-founder and Modern Restaurant Concepts co-CEO, said in a company press release. "Their commitment to hospitality, their people and their communities is truly at the heart of their company and everything they do. We feel privileged to have the opportunity to work alongside them and help bring amazing, healthy food to as many people as possible.

"As we continue to grow, our goal is to align with franchise partners with existing market authority. "Rather than selecting specific DMAs we want to pursue, we focus on finding the right partners who share our vision and goals, wherever they may be, and Thrive exemplifies that. That is our strategy as we continue our growth trajectory and are actively seeking additional franchising opportunities."

Founded in 2009 in Colorado, Modern Market Eatery is owned by Modern Restaurant Concepts, which owns 800 units across three brands, including Qdoba (pending acquisition), Modern Market Eatery and Lemonade.