Rise Southern Biscuits & Righteous Chicken is opening its first Orlando location in Winter Park in early 2023. The expansion in the Sunshine State comes during a strong year of nationwide growth that saw restaurants open in California, North Carolina and a Texas deal for 20 units. The Winter Park location is the first of many planned for the Orlando area by Don Schnurr, who has nearly 30 years experience operating more than a dozen businesses.
“We expect to grow the greater Orlando area to 20 locations over the next five years,” Schnurr said in a company press release. “The Winter Park location has great demographics and is on a busy shopping street with very little inventory to rent. When the spot became available, we grabbed it.”
Founded by CIA-trained Chef Tom Ferguson, Rise’s elevated Southern comfort food operates in seven states and has 100 units in development throughout the country.
“Rise has cracked the code on how to make a restaurant profitable despite economic conditions,” Dan Rowe, CEO of franchise partner, Fransmart, said in the release. “With its robust tech ecosystem, strong unit economics and people-centric culture, it’s no surprise that franchisees nationwide are joining the Rise franchise family.”