Farm Stores Expecting Momentous Nationwide Growth in New Territories During 2017

Ever since its inception in 1957, Farm Stores has provided families throughout Florida with an unparalleled shopping experience. Nearly 60 years later, a lot has changed—but the best has remained the same. Today, there are more than 60 locations throughout the state; thanks to the launch of a franchising opportunity last year, Farm Stores expects additional location throughout the State of Florida and beyond. And all the while, the brand has continues to be a beloved stop for customers in need of a gallon of milk or freshly-baked baguettes to bring home for dinner.

Farm Stores’ journey into franchising began in 2014, when CEO Carlos Bared and his brother, Maurice, who serves as the COO, realized that more and more, convenience and speed were becoming increasingly popular for shoppers—something that Farm Stores had long excelled at. As a result, the brothers officially announced that the brand would be embarking on a growth strategy that included development beyond their home state of Florida in 2015.

“What we do is simple. Our target consumer is the always-on-the-go mom. They could go to the supermarket, get their children out of the car and juggle a dozen things at once, or, they could simply go to Farm Stores. It’s convenient and customers can get whatever they need on the spot, without ever getting out their car,” Carlos said. “It’s light years ahead of any other concept, and it’s easy for consumers to see the value in what we offer. It’s about time. Even if they didn’t grow up with a Farm Stores, people just get it. And for that reason, we went into franchising believing that this was a concept that could thrive anywhere—not just in Florida.”

The Bareds were right. A little over a year has passed since Farm Stores officially announced that they would open up their business model to franchising, and so far, they already have a lot to celebrate. With the help of Robert Betts, an area developer for Farm Stores, the brand recently announced that they will be making its first foray in Houston, Texas.

“I grew up with Farm Stores, and was a loyal customer the entire time I was living in South Florida. When I relocated to Houston, I realized that the concept is a perfect fit here,” Betts said. “It’s the seamless integration of nostalgia and modern technology. Farm Stores brings quality service and convenience together in a way that no other brand has been able to duplicate.”

Betts believes that Houston will be an important market for the brand. Because the area is a commuter environment, he’s confident that everyone is looking for a more convenient grocery option as they head home from a long day at work.

Bared agrees—Houston holds a lot of potential for Farm Stores in the years to come. So far, the company has plans to open three additional Houston-area stores during 2017 and many more over the next five years.

“There’s a tremendous need for Farm Stores in the Houston area. We’re projecting that it could be one of our strongest markets. Everybody is trying to reinvent themselves, but the difference is that we have 60 years of history doing this. Everyone is trying to leverage technology and leverage a simple business model. We are not. We have been doing it the whole time,” Carlos said.

This year, Farm Stores also added New Jersey to its growing domain. Joe D’Albero, alongside two other business partners, were sold on the Farm Stores concept after encountering the brand at the International Franchise Expo. As a busy family-man himself, he knew just how valuable a quick and convenient neighborhood grocery store could be for residents in New Jersey.

Realizing the great opportunity at hand, D’Albero and his group decided to make an investment for the area representative rights to New Jersey. This means that he would eventually introduce as many as 100 Farm Stores to the state over the next 10 years.

“After I learned about their franchising opportunity, I knew that a Farm Stores drive-thru would be a welcomed alternative that people would whole-heartedly embrace,” D’Albero said. “It’s a brand well positioned to help mothers and busy people in New Jersey.”

Now, Farm Stores is gearing up to make its debut in Louisiana. Thanks to the most recent signing of it’s first Franchisee, the brand is eager to add Louisiana to its ever-growing domain. And if 2016 is any indication, this is just the beginning for Farm Stores’ nationwide growth—even greater development is on the horizon in the years to come.

“Franchising has given us the opportunity to widen our lead as the brand at the forefront of the grocery industry,” Bared said. “By expanding into new markets like Texas, New Jersey and Louisiana, Farm Stores will continue to stand out and expand across the country.”