New franchise agreements call for openings to heat up in multiple markets.
By Andrew Carlo
Perkins Griddle & Go is continuing franchise expansion moves in New Jersey.
The fast-casual food franchise announced that retired executives Giuseppe and Nicole Lahara recently signed a 10-unit development deal with Perkins American Food Co., which operates more than 250 locations.
This agreement calls for the brand to arrive in Mercer County, New Jersey. The move follows another 10-unit franchise agreement signed last November for Monmouth County.
Prior to Perkins, Giuseppe Lahara served as a superintendent with Empire State Realty Trust for 24 years. In 2018, he retired to focus on raising his family. Nicole Lahara was an executive with cosmetics giant Estee Lauder for 24 years and held various consumer-focused positions, according to Perkins.
“The Lahara family have been fans of the Perkins brand for as long as they can remember. Raising a small family can be difficult when determining where to eat, especially when choosing where to go after school events, sports, and church. Perkins makes it easy because its menu provides something for everyone,” said Nicole Lahara, franchisee for Perkins Griddle & Go. “Being part of this new concept is exciting for us because we feel that it is something we can do that will not only be successful but also can become a family business.”
Earlier this year, the Laharas formed Fork & Knife to operate their upcoming Perkins Griddle & Go restaurants. Their development deal covers Mercer County, and they plan on opening their first location in the greater Ewing, New Jersey market this year.
“We want to leave a legacy for our children, and we feel it important it will be important for them to learn the business firsthand,” said Giuseppe Lahara. “Our hope is that they fall in love with the business and with the brand, as we have, and they will gladly take it over when they’re ready.”
Perkins said the Griddle & Go format is designed for today’s fast-paced customers. Starting at 1,500 square feet, the model is quick-to-build, quick-to-scale, and far less expensive than a traditional Perkins model, the company said.
“We’re so excited to welcome Giuseppe and Nicole to our franchise family,” said Michael Ackley, director of franchise development and marketing with Ascent Hospitality Management, the parent company of the Perkins brand. “Their love of the brand, and their commitment to building a family business aligns perfectly with our core values. We cannot wait to see what they accomplish as they bring Perkins Griddle & Go to Mercer County.”
Within a compact footprint, Griddle & Go locations feature a streamlined design while incorporating incorporating modern features such as digital menus and self-order kiosks,
“Franchisees have shown strong interest in Griddle & Go and are eager to bring this modern take on Perkins to new and existing markets,” said Peter Ortiz, chief development officer of Ascent Hospitality Management. “We are delighted to welcome Giuseppe and Nicole to the Perkins family and partner with them to expand our concept in their home state while they build a strong future for their children.”
The Monmouth County agreement was signed by Lisa Dalton and Anthony Degrande, a mother-son duo. They plan to open their first location in the county by October 2025, “with hopes to accelerate the timeline” in regard to additional openings, the company said.
The Perkins brand was founded in 1957 as Smithies Pancake House before the format began franchising. Atlanta, Georgia-based Ascent Hospitality Management acquired the Perkins brand in 2020.
Information about franchising opportunities with Perkins can be found at perkinsfranchising.com/opportunity. Franchise support details, including training, can be found here.
