JAMAICAN fast food chain Juici Patties has set its sights on New York City and Atlanta as the next expansion targets, on the heels of its recent growth in Florida following the opening of two new locations in Sunrise and Lauderdale Lakes.

Those new stores, located at 10041 Sunset Strip in Sunrise and 4209 N State Rd 7 in Lauderdale Lakes, bring the total to four stores in the Florida state. The Lauderdale Lakes location officially opened on August 24, 2024, followed by the Sunrise location a week later. This comes in response to strong market demand, with US sales averaging over 3,000 patties per day since Juici’s first location in the state was launched in March.

“We’re thrilled that the communities have already been so supportive. This support is truly appreciated as we build out more locations in Florida. Our goal is to open a Juici Patties location within driving distance of at least 50 per cent of all Floridians,” Daniel Chin, director of operations in Jamaica and CEO of Juici Patties’ US division, said.

The expansion reflects Juici Patties’ broader strategy to grow its US presence, driven by the sizeable Jamaican Diaspora in Florida. Its goal is to open 23 additional locations in Florida. However, Florida isn’t the only state the popular patty brand is targeting.

“The company is preparing to break ground on its first locations in New York City and Atlanta early next year,” the company said. Details on how far along the company is in the process of opening franchise operations in New York and Atlanta were not immediately made available.

The Jamaican Diaspora in New York City and Atlanta is substantial and influential, contributing to the cultural and economic fabric of these cities. New York City is home to one of the largest Jamaican communities in the US. Estimates suggest that over 100,000 Jamaican Americans live in the city, with a significant concentration in neighbourhoods like Flatbush and Crown Heights in Brooklyn. Meanwhile, Atlanta has a growing Jamaican community, with estimates ranging from 10,000 to 20,000 of the country’s nationals living in the metro area. The community has been expanding due to migration from the Caribbean and other parts of the US.

However, Chin is not depending on Jamaicans’ loyalty to the brand alone; he is also exploring new ways to bring more traffic into the stores through unique add-on options like avocado and ripe plantains as side dishes.

“Both new locations will feature Juici’s signature patties, complemented by unique add-on options. Guests can enjoy additions such as avocado with their patties and ripe plantains, served as side dishes,” he said.

Juici Patties has ambitious plans to expand across the US, aiming to open stores in all 50 states by 2028. This growth strategy builds on Juici Patties’ successful foundation in Jamaica where the company operates 65 stores and has become a staple since its founding in 1979 by Jukie Chin. Its most recent store opening locally was at Hungway Mall in Portmore, St Catherine.

“We have seen an average overall growth of over 10 per cent every year for the past few years. As we expand our menu offerings we have seen even more growth in those other menu items,” Richard Mullings, franchise operator of the Portmore store, told the Jamaica Observer regarding the Juici Patties expansion in Jamaica.

Overall, the patty brand has launched six new locations in the past six months. The company is now targeting one location per month. “I feel extremely proud of our team. We’ve opened six new locations in the last six months. Our goal for the rest of the year is to open one new location per month — and we’re precisely on target,” Chin said.