News

Tin Drum gears up for expansion

Tin Drum Asiacafé is on a franchising mission. It's seeking franchise candidates to expand the brand’s presence nationwide with a focus on developing restaurants in the southeast.

September 15, 2015

Tin Drum Asiacafé is on a franchising mission. It's seeking franchise candidates to expand the brand’s presence nationwide with a focus on developing restaurants in the southeast, according to a company press release.

The chain operates 12 restaurants in Atlanta and recently opened its first Florida restaurant in Tampa this May. Additionally, the brand signed a franchise agreement with Phong Ho, who operates a Tropical Smoothie Café, to bring the concept to Ave Maria, Florida. later this year. 

"The success of Tin Drum Asiacafé over the past decade is a true testament to the quality and authenticity of the brand and our menu items," said Mike Rotondo, CEO of Tin Drum Asiacafé. "We are excited to offer qualified entrepreneurs nationwide an opportunity to join the Tin Drum family and capitalize on the growing trend and demand for high-quality Asian concepts in the fast casual industry."

To fuel Tin Drum Asiacafé’s growth, the company is seeking single- and multi-unit operators with restaurant experience. Potential franchisee candidates should have a minimum net worth of $400,000, liquid assets of at least $150,000 and be willing to invest between $296,000 to $495,000, according to the release.

Tin Drum Asiacafé’s franchise growth is backed by the entrepreneurs at the BIP Franchise Accelerator, a division of venture capital firm BIP Capital, which purchased the brand in 2012, Rotondo said. BIP Capital has invested more than $250 million in emerging, high-growth brands across the franchising, software, and technology and consumer products industries. In 2014, BIP Capital created the BIP Franchise Accelerator to leverage its leadership team’s deep franchise experience to help emerging brands accelerate their growth, according to the release.

In addition to Tin Drum Asiacafé, the BIP Franchise Accelerator’s portfolio includes Tropical Smoothie Café, which has expanded by more than 150 locations in the last five years and has reported double-digit comp sales growth since 2013.