Thursday, April 5, 2018

[Expansion Alert] Indian Fast Casual Curry Up Now Signs Atlanta Franchise Agreement

Earlier today it was revealed that Curry Up Now, a San Francisco-based Indian fast casual eatery, finalized franchise agreements to bring the growing concept to Atlanta, in addition to Sacramento, Cakifornia. Both franchisees are reportedly in the early stages of scouting real estate options in their respective cities and hope to open their first locations by the end of the year.
Founded in 2009 by husband and wife duo, Akash and Rana Kapoor and co-founder Amir Hosseini, Curry Up Now takes traditional Indian flavors and presents them in new and different ways.  Signature dishes on the Curry Up Now menu include the Tikka Masala Burrito, Deconstructed Samosa "an inside out phenomenon loaded with chana, pico kachumber, chutneys, crispy sev noodles, mini samosas and choice of chicken, paneer, aloo gobi, lamb or free range plant protein," "Sexy Fries" an Indian-inspired poutine: criss cut sweet potato fries, cheese and choice of chicken, paneer, lamb or hella vegan (vegan cheese), and Naughty Naan ("a flatbread of kulcha naan, cheese, caramelized onions, shaved jalapeƱo, accompanied by a local organic salad and choice of chicken or paneer").  The restaurant also offers assorted other more traditional Indian street foods. 

The concept was featured in QSR’s "40 Under 40," Fast Casual’s "Top 100" list of movers & shakers, and named a "2018 Breakout Brand" by Nation’s Restaurant News.  The restaurant prides itself in its dedication to sourcing top quality ingredients.  Ingredients are all-natural, never frozen, and raised without antibiotics.  Proteins are Halal and curries, chutneys and sauces are gluten-free.

“Atlanta has a great up-and-coming food scene, but no one is doing Indian the way Curry Up Now is,” said Atlanta franchisee, Hemant Suri.

“When we heard about Curry Up Now and saw what they were doing, we knew we had to be the first ones to bring the brand and their unique and innovative cuisine to Atlanta.”

While ToNeTo Atlanta was only recently made aware of Curry Up Now and its plans to enter metro Atlanta, the brand's menu and its concept seem to be a cross between NaanStop, Chai Pani and the short-lived Sheik Burritos N Kabobs. 
NaanStop, which like Curry Up Now, started as a food truck, today operates locations in downtown Atlanta and Buckhead, with a third unit expected to open in June at Atlantic Station.  Asheville, North Carolina-based Chai Pani operates one location in its home city as well as a location in Decatur and a similar concept named Botiwalla at Ponce City Market.  

Curry Up Now has been setting itself up for franchised growth over the last year, through its partnership with franchising development company Fransmart and  funding from restaurant growth investor Kitchen Fund.  Last May, Curry Up Now acquired competing Indian fast casual brand, Tava Kitchen and reworked and later reopened its lone Alameda, California location as a Curry Up Now.

Curry Up Now currently operates six brick-and-mortar locations in San Francisco, San Jose, San Mateo, Oakland, Palo Alto, and Alameda, as well as four food trucks rolling under the same name.  The company also operates the "Mortar & Pestle" cocktail concepts attached to two of their locations offering craft cocktails.

At the time of the Tava acquisition, Curry Up Now announced plans to add more than 1,000 units across the country.

Have you ever been to a Curry Up Now?  Where would you like to see Curry Up Now open in metro Atlanta?  Do you think Curry Up Now will ever scale to "more than 1,000 units?" 

Please share your thoughts below  

6 comments:

Stacy said...

I loved Shiek Burritos. Amazing food and unique offerings. Miss it!!

Anonymous said...

Indian food = bathroom ... Oh no!

Anonymous said...

@Anonymous it's fine, stick to your boring hamburgers, hot dogs, and fries.

Anonymous said...

@8:16 Correct. Also, spices such as curry and cumin create body odor that can linger in your (pores) for days. The aroma can penetrate your clothing as well. Good food but in limited quantities on a infrequent basis.

Anonymous said...

Anon @1:29 ... another pretentious snot

Anonymous said...

Anon @1:29 - peace and love ... Shave your legs already! We know its you hilary! Don't forget your hot sauce (and I don't mean bill)!

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