Expanding Stores in this Trying Market

I have a franchise of Five Guys Burgers and Fries in Miami and our first store is doing great and we are looking at expanding but have found it impossible to get financing. Does anyone have any ideas in this environment? We have started a parent company and are beginning to sell shares of equity as an alternative to debt for our growth plans, is anyone interested in becoming a part of our success down in Florida?

Tags: Miami, fast, financing, food, growing, investing

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Permalink Reply by Howard Appell on January 26, 2009 at 6:29pm

I love Five Guys Burgers and I wrote about them in my column for the January issue of Today's Restaurant News. I may be able to direct you to some financing. My number is 561 620-8888.

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Permalink Reply by Jack Flechner on January 30, 2009 at 6:50am

Thanks, I will call you Friday. Are you in Broward or Palm Beach County?

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Permalink Reply by Howard Appell on January 30, 2009 at 6:52am

I will be in Dade and Broward on Friday but our office is in Palm Beach county. My cell is 561 870-9663. Look forward to speaking with you.

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Permalink Reply by Robert Dominguez on January 29, 2009 at 3:37pm

I know how you feel. I am running into similar issues. What are you looking to sell the shares for and how many stores do you have the rights to open?

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Permalink Reply by Jack Flechner on January 30, 2009 at 6:47am

We have a ten store territory in MiamiDade County. We have one store open, projecting $2-2.2M in sales this year and one under construction in South Beach which we are projecting $2.5-2.7M in sales. We are selling shares at $1 and our investor relations person is Richard Kepler and he can be reached at 301-706-0721. If you or someone is interested he can discuss and send you the documents to review. Have you been to a Five Guys?

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Permalink Reply by Robert Dominguez on February 4, 2009 at 9:17pm

No, I personally have not been to a Five Guys. But the person who might be interested in investing has. What does $1 share buy you? What are you valuing the company at and how much are you trying to raise?

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Permalink Reply by Jack Flechner on February 6, 2009 at 4:42am

I would have your guy call Mr. Kepler. Since we are selling shares before it goes on the open market, my attorney has asked me to limit any discussions to very general stuff. What I can tell you is that January was our second best month ever after December and the first week in Feb. is even better. We continue to build sales each month and are 90% over last January 2008 sales, which was our first full month open (we opened Dec. 2007). Thanks. There are a few Five Guys open in Dallas, and while not exactly a 20 minute drive, if you are in the area, check it out.

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Permalink Reply by Joseph Stadlen on July 20, 2009 at 10:59am

As a General Contractor that builds restaurants - we have offered both short term financing and services in exchange of ownership. It is a tough market for cash buyers so as an alternative you should look to the companies that you do business with. No better partner than one that can offer services you need anyway.