More Franchises Coming to St. Louis Area

http://www.bizjournals.com/stlouis/blog/2010/08/franchise_mania_in_st_louis.html

St. Louisans will soon have more choices for massages, grilled sandwiches, pitas, fast-food Italian food and frozen yogurt.

Husband and wife Christy and Tony Burke plan to open the first local Hand & Stone Massage and Facial Spa this fall in Des Peres. Franchisees of the Hamilton, N.J.-based company can expect to invest $300,000, including $50,000 in working capital, for a 2,500-square-foot salon. They must have a minimum net worth of $400,000.

Potbelly Sandwich Shop -  The Chicago-based chain is looking for franchisees in St. Louis. Franchisee investment ranges from $456,000 to $767,000, depending on the size and location.

Canadian chain Extreme Pita plans to enter the St. Louis market with local franchisees Syed and Fatima Kazimi opening a restaurant by the end of the year. The Mississauga, Ontario-based company said it is in negotiations for space at South County Mall in south St. Louis County and West County Mall in Des Peres. The average cost to open an Extreme Pita is between $200,000 and $270,000 for a standard 1,000-square-foot to 1,200-square-foot location, with a franchise fee of $20,000.

A fourth company, Fazoli’s, already has nine company-owned locations and 250 employees in the metro area but plans to spend $3.5 million to add seven more. Carl Howard, president and CEO, of the Lexington, Ky.-based quick-service Italian chain, is in St. Louis this week scouting possible new restaurant sites.

A fifth company, Red Mango frozen yogurt, which is big in LA, New York and Chicago, is coming to Kirkwood and West County Mall. Paul Tinkham and Kevin McCauley are investing about $600,000 and expect each store to generate as much as $500,000 in annual revenue.