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HILTON HEAD ISLAND, S.C. () – Zunzi’s has announced the 2024 launch of its first brick-and-mortar location on Hilton Head Island. The company is shooting for a launch in the third quarter (July-September) of 2024.
The project is a venture between Zunzi and former industry legend—Tom Horton.
“We’re thrilled to be bringing in Tom Horton as our first franchisee,” says Zunzi’s + Zunzibar owner Chris Smith. “He was Five Guys’ largest franchisee, opening 97 stores across seven states. He has vast experience in franchising, but most importantly, he’s just a great guy. This is a fantastic get for us, all the way around.”
Smith says this arrangement is a much-needed “punch in the gut” to the current franchise system. “The franchise business is difficult,” he says. “There are so many horror stories where a franchisee invests a ton of money and then the franchisor can’t support them. A lot of places open 100 locations and aren’t ready for it. These franchise broker networks that put together deals between franchisors and franchisees put both of those parties at risk and have no accountability. We’re not having any part of that.”
Smith says the venture allows them to get the infrastructure set up the way they want it and get systems in place so they can have a successful franchisee rollout in 2025.
These inaugural franchise locations also will showcase a new operating model with the Zunzibar brand front and center.
Zunzibar will feature a beach sports bar theme, offering a full menu of Zunzi’s popular award-winning sandwiches, wings, chips and sauces, along with handcrafted beach cocktails and frozen drinks.
“Moving forward, our brick-and-mortar locations will feature Zunzibar as a full-service restaurant with a full menu and bar, utilizing the best aspects of our fast-casual operation, all the speed and efficiency of a fast-casual restaurant in a sit-down, dine-in setting,” Smith says.
“And we’ll be retaining the popular Zunzi’s branding for our takeout and delivery,” he continues. “If you order takeout from us or order delivery through Uber Eats, you’re dealing with Zunzi’s. But when you come in and dine with us, you’re at Zunzibar.”
“It’s all about streamlining what we do so that we have the best possible product and concept when we start rolling out franchising on a larger scale,” Smith says. “Just like our customers, we want our franchisees to be the best possible franchisees they can be and to say ‘Sh*t, yeah!’ about working with us.”
The company plans to open a second location in Jupiter, Florida, this year and is currently scouting sites for a third location.
