In a strategic move that makes sense for a franchise brand that offers filling, easy-to-eat portable meals served inside a freshly-baked cone, Kono Pizza USA announced today that it is introducing mobile cart, kiosk and in-line store prototype models designed to fuel franchise growth in non-traditional venues across the country.
In addition to the brand’s existing traditional retail store model, potential franchisees of Kono Pizza will now have the ability to operate in a variety of high-traffic areas – from malls and hospitals to colleges and amusement parks – through its new, sleek and sophisticated mobile cart, kiosk and in-line store models. The kiosk model will make its debut in the Florida and North Carolina markets in the coming months.
“If there are any spots where customizable meals served inside a cone are going to be a huge hit, it’s malls, amusement parks, airports and other non-traditional venues,” said David Ragosa, co-founder of Kono Pizza USA. “That’s where hungry on-the-go consumers in search of a fresh, filling and easy-to-eat snack congregate, so we’re coming right to them.”
The new store prototypes require only 100-200 square feet of space and cost under $90,000.
“This is an exciting time in Kono Pizza’s history as we set the stage for the brand’s future growth and evolution,” said Carlo Ruggiero, co-founder of Kono Pizza USA. “With extremely low build-out costs, simple operations and an internationally tested and proven concept across 20 countries, our flexible new business models offer an opportunity for operators to break into the lucrative QSR segment at a lower cost of entry than most traditional restaurant brands.”
The Kono Pizza menu features three types of customizable cones – breakfast cones, pizza cones and dessert cones – all of which are filled with fresh, quality ingredients inspired by original Italian recipes and baked in just three minutes in the brand’s proprietary oven. The recipes and cooking processes are standard throughout all locations, simplifying the hiring process for franchisees. The mobile cart, kiosk and in-line store models require minimal staff of 1-2 part-time employees and one full-time manager.
The new prototype announcement comes on the heels of the recent appointment of former Edible Arrangements executive Matt Bailey as Kono Pizza USA’s new VP of Operations. Adding to the chain’s 130 locations in 20 countries, Kono Pizza USA also has signed franchise deals that will bring at least 17 new restaurants to North Carolina, Florida, Iowa, New Jersey, New York and California this year.
