A popular southern comfort restaurant that got its start in Durham, North Carolina will soon expand into Orlando.
Rise Southern Biscuits and Righteous Chicken will open a series of seven franchises in the state of Florida, according to a press release from the company.
Franchisee Don Schnurr, along with his family, are slated to open locations in the Greater Orlando Metro area, the first in the Sunshine State.
“With the surge of interest in Southern dining around chicken and biscuits, the realities of post COVID to-go options and delivery, the dining trends of millennials and the great cult following that Rise has attracted from foodies, Rise checked all the boxes,” said Schnurr. “I was also very impressed with the management team, especially the passion and vision for Rise from founder Tom Ferguson.”
The group is currently scouting territories including Winter Garden, Celebration, and The Mall at Millenia for its first location.
Each of the Orlando-area locations will feature a unique heated locker system, as well as a touchscreen ordering kiosk system, providing a digital kitchen experience for customers.
In addition to its namesake food offerings, the restaurant offers a variety of tots, coffees, and specialty donuts.
“We’re thrilled to expand into the great state of Florida and share our Southern chicken and biscuits with Orlando,” said Ferguson. “We have great franchise partners in Don and his family, and we have full confidence that they will successfully grow the Rise brand in Florida.”
The company got its start in 2012 in Durham, North Carolina and has expanded to 16 locations across multiple states including Kansas, Maryland, Georgia, and Tennessee.
Last fall, the franchise signed its first California lease in Thousand Oaks, as well as multi-unit deals in both Virginia and Oklahoma.
“We expect to grow the greater Orlando area to 20 locations over the next five years,” Schnurr said. “We have an aggressive growth plan in place, coupled with experienced operators and funding necessary to accomplish this growth.”