JUICI PATTIES has set its eyes on opening at least three new stores in South Florida before summer, and is already thinking about opening new stores across all 50 states in the United States.

The aggressive push comes just days after the first Juici Patties franchise overseas was opened in Florida and sold almost 5,000 patties on the first day — an amount equivalent to what was expected to be sold over five days.

“The support for our first store in the US has been great,” Daniel Chin, one of the directors of Juici Patties and the CEO of its US business, told the Jamaica Observer late last week.

The US store was one of two Juici Patties opened in March. The other was opened in Montego Bay, Jamaica.

“As we continue to expand the brand, there are plans to open at least two other locations in Florida, one in Sunrise and another in Lauderhill. In May we should also be opening another in Lauderdale Lakes and a few others in the upcoming months,” Chin added.

“This is just the start as we’ve already signed franchise agreements for approximately 27 locations so far, all of which are in Florida with some timed for opening [in] 2028,” he further told the Business Observer.

Similar to its growth in the local market, in which it now operates 65 stores, Chin said the recent blossoming of overseas expansion activities allows the company started by his father Jukie Chin in 1978 to be able to tap into larger economies of scale especially those made up of a strong Diaspora community. Before the first store was opened in Florida, Juici Patties said it spent two years vetting more than 4,700 applications from investors interested in operating its franchise.

“We do benefit from a little royalty from our franchisees, so our continued growth in this way will definitely auger well for the bottom line,” Chin said.

According to information posted on the company’s website, franchise costs range from US$347,000 for small stores and go up to US$793,000 for larger outlets. The amounts include a US$30,000 franchise fee.

Sharing an outlook for the company’s plans for growth, Chin said the intent is to globalise the brand, starting with the push of its restaurant chain in the US market.

“That’s the direction we’re now going in and I think the Jamaican patty market in the US can enjoy similar achievements as Mexico’s taco, which 40 years ago started out in one state to having a presence in almost all states today.

“I think the US market is ready for a nationwide patty franchise so we are positioning to make this a reality. Myself along with the current set of US franchisees feel very optimistic that strong demand exists, and we are also confident that in putting the infrastructure in place we can supply this demand,” Chin said.

Rhea Wright, youngest franchise holder and owner of the first Juici Patties store in the United States which is located along Hollywood Boulevard in Florida, while speaking to the historic performance of her establishment, said she is already looking at investing in other locations.

“I’m definitely looking to expand in South Florida and I’m now in the process of looking to acquire two more locations. My goal is to have multiple locations that are thriving and will meet all of my sale goals,” she told the Business Observer.

Securing over US$17,000 in record sales during the first day of operation for the recently opened store, she said the demand continues to be high as evidenced by the curved lines outside of her establishment since its grand opening on March 23, 2024.

“Right now we are selling about 3,500 per day since our record first day and though we have not yet witnessed a similar day, we are anticipating to have more strong turnouts based on current demands coupled with the Easter holiday weekend, so we are preparing for that.

“If sales continue at this pace, I should be breaking even in the next three months. In the next two to three years, my goal is to be earning over US$1 million in annual gross sales,” Wright said.

The store, which has been attracting customers from the Diaspora and US citizens alike, she said has so far received patronage from persons travelling from as far away as the US state of Oregon and some others from New York.

The store currently sells patties (beef, chicken and cheese), French fries and plantains, but Wright said other items will be added to its menu including fried chicken as well as shrimp and vege-patties.

“We now have 12-15 full-time employees working on shifts and we sometimes need more persons to keep up with the daily demand,” she said.