Sobelmans, the original burger and Bloody Mary bar, is redefining what it means to be a franchise. Far from the cookie cutter stereotype that’s known among aspiring entrepreneurs, Sobelmans has built its brand by being the opposite of what traditional restaurant chains bring to the table. And it’s clear that its unique approach to the industry is catching on among consumers and aspiring business owners alike.

With five locations currently up and running in the Milwaukee, Wisconsin area, Sobelmans—which recently launched its franchise opportunity—has a strong reputation in the state. The brand is known for its signature burgers and Bloody Mary’s, along with its strong connection to the community. To build on that positive momentum and awareness, Sobelmans is now looking to expand across its home state. In fact, the brand is out on a mission to open up a Sobelmans in every Wisconsin market that’s home to 50,000 or more residents. To kick start that effort, it’s starting with the Southern part of the state.

“We invented the idea of having a concept that focuses solely on what makes Wisconsin great. As an exclusively Wisconsin-based franchise, we know the market better than anyone else. That’s why we’re eager to work with other inspired restaurateurs who are ready to take on our one of a kind and trend setting concept,” said Sobelmans founder Dave Sobelman. “Because we’re focused on growing solely in Wisconsin, this opportunity is going to go fast. So, if you’re a franchisee or entrepreneur looking for that classic car in an industry crowded with more of the same, you’re not going to want to miss this chance.

There are a lot of factors that prove Sobelmans is a brand primed for growth, starting with the fact that the brand is the opposite of a traditional franchise. There’s room for independence in the business model—each Sobelmans restaurant is housed in a historic building, adding a sense of character and individuality to its locations. Owners can also tweak the menu and add items to play up that different restaurant experience, further enhancing the individuality that’s evident at every Sobelmans unit.

Sobelmans also has a competitive advantage in that it’s already building on strong brand awareness in its target market of Wisconsin. The Southern part of the state is filled with consumers who have come to know the brand, meaning that franchisees will have an existing base to build on immediately upon opening up their restaurant. That’s partially due to the fact that Sobelmans is known for working very closely with the communities that it serves—from charitable initiatives to having a presence at major community events like Milwaukee Brewer Games and being the only burger joint in the Bradley Center where the Milwaukee Bucks play, the brand’s franchisees are committed to establishing and maintaining relationships with customers.

“Our franchisees are experiencing the same level of success that’s common among major fast food chains,” said Sobelman. “And because our initial investment is significantly lower, they’re able to see a bigger bottom line,” said Sobelman. “We’re confident that the franchisees who joins our system in Southern Wisconsin will experience success, and we’re looking forward to helping them get their businesses off the ground.”

Sobelmans’ initial investment range is $276,500 to $849,000. To learn more about becoming a Sobelmans franchisee in Southern Wisconsin, please visit http://ownasobelmans.com/.

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Cassidy McAloon

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Cassidy McAloon

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Cassie has over five years of digital and traditional media experience. She joined NLA after working as a television news producer in both Milwaukee and Chicago, and now specializes in aligning strategies across the board for her clients, ultimately building buzz and telling compelling stories through content marketing, social media, digital campaigns and traditional PR.

Cassie has a Bachelor of Arts in Broadcast and Electronic Communications from Marquette University. In her spare time, Cassie enjoys traveling and exploring what new cities have to offer in addition to spending time with her friends and family.