Franchise Opportunities Await At La Palmera

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Published on Tuesday, 25 November 2008 10:28

Five national retailers looking for local owners to open and operate new locations; Corpus Christi ranks high in restaurant growth

CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas (November 25, 2008) – The search is on. Charley’s Grilled Subs, Paciugo, Which Wich, Aveda and Baker Bros are ready to head to La Palmera and are looking for interested operators to get them rolling in Corpus Christi.

Interest has been high since the Sept. 26 franchise fair held at La Palmera. And although retail space remains limited, there are a few opportunities available in the newly designed food court scheduled for completion in summer 2009 and the lifestyle entrance court opening in fall 2009.

“So many folks believe there are no opportunities out there right now, but it’s just not the case,” said Trademark Property Founding Partner Terry Montesi. “Corpus Christi remains a strong market, particularly for restaurant growth. The truth is, if you have an interest or better yet, experience, these are the caliber of retailers that can help get you started, including help in finding financing.”

Baker Bros, an upscale, fast-casual deli chain serving award-winning salads, oven-baked sandwiches, huge stuffed baked potatoes and gourmet pizzas, is evaluating several possible locations at La Palmera. Baker Bros Director of Franchise Development Ralph Kinder says restaurant sales per capita in Corpus Christi outpace Dallas and Houston making it a desirable market.

“Restaurant Business Magazine releases a Restaurant Growth Index each year and Corpus Christi continues to outpace larger metropolitan areas, showing strong potential for new restaurant growth,” said Kinder. “Restaurant sales per capita in Corpus are $1731 versus $1662 and $1587 in Dallas and Houston respectively. We could easily do two or three locations in this market.”

Despite the economy, many retailers, including Charley’s Grilled Subs whose freshly grilled Philly Steak and chicken subs remain the company’s cornerstone, say they are actually experiencing a sales boom, seeing increased revenues at their mall locations across the country. Charley’s is one of the chains who participated in the September franchise fair and is looking to secure a spot in La Palmera’s new food court.

“La Palmera is by far the dominate shopping center in the Corpus Christi metro area,” said Rich Page, Director of Development for Charley’s Grilled Subs. “There is nothing else to even compete with La Palmera until you get to San Antonio. We are eager to land a franchise at La Palmera and have insured we will have financing available for our franchisees.”

Also in search of high-profile urban living and shopping centers, Paciugo, a flourishing authentic gelato and caffè concept serving fresh gelato, coffee and specialty drinks, says even though the qualification process has become more rigorous, many franchisees are finding financing. The Dallas-based company says it is working on a plan to help potential owners.

“We are working with a Texas-based lender to have them become a preferred lender for our system,” said Vincent Ginatta, Paciugo’s Founding Partner. “They are currently processing a number of our franchisee’s loans in Texas, with the goal to be able to work with our franchisees throughout the U.S.”

La Palmera is going through interior and exterior floor-to-ceiling renovations, including a new aquatic-themed food court, complete with a large feature aquarium. Other improvements include a new one-of-a-kind children’s play area, soft seating, indoor and outdoor landscaping, fountains, signage and graphics, and lighting upgrades throughout the property.

It’s those improvements that have sparked the interest of sandwich makers Which Wich who employ their own unique approach to customer service. The company, which makes the customer part of the ordering process by having them mark pre-printed sandwich bag menus to design their own sandwich, says the planned renovations make La Palmera the perfect choice.

“Which Wich has historically performed well in premier malls,” said Which Wich Area Director Kevin Warden. “We believe the renovations taking place at La Palmera will make it the premier location in the greater Corpus Christi market.”

Plans also call for transforming the mall’s main entrance into an outdoor lifestyle court with lush palm seating areas and other amenities including access to new shops and restaurants. It’s this improvement that has attracted the interest of Aveda whose salons sell lifestyle hair and skincare products made exclusively from organically grown flower and plant essences.

“Corpus Christi is an area with great Aveda customers and also an area where we see a lot of opportunity to enhance the Aveda brand,” said Director of Aveda Lifestyle Salon and Spa Development Debbra Darbonne. “We do this most effectively within a high profile, quality retail development like La Palmera, especially within the outdoor lifestyle area they are creating.”

Each concept has different capital and experience requirements. Interested entrepreneurs can contact each company directly for more information on opening a location:

Neill Corporation/Aveda (www.aveda.com)  -- Debbra Darbonne, (281) 330-1007; JLIB_HTML_CLOAKING
Charley’s Grilled Subs (www.charleys.com) -- Rich Page, (800) 437-8325 ext. 116; JLIB_HTML_CLOAKING
Paciugo (www.paciugo.com/franchising) -- Vincent Ginatta, (214) 654-9501 ext. 112; JLIB_HTML_CLOAKING
Which Wich? (www.whichwich.com) -- Kevin Warden, (512) 579-3632; JLIB_HTML_CLOAKING
Baker Bros (www.bakerbrosdeli.com) – Ralph Kinder, (214) 696-8780; JLIB_HTML_CLOAKING

For more information on La Palmera, go to www.lapalmera.com. To speak with La Palmera’s Leasing Representative, please contact Julie Morris, JLIB_HTML_CLOAKING or (817) 639-2705.