The Greene Turtle announced today that a group of investors with extensive quick-service and petroleum distribution/retail experience signed an agreement to develop 11 units in New Jersey for the casual dining restaurant/sports bar chain, marking the first locations slated to open in the Garden State.
The franchisees, operating as Imperial Restaurant Group LLC, consist of individuals with diverse business experiences and core competencies. The group will be led by Raj Rana, a former multi-unit quick-service restaurant owner; and Balrup Hundal, Surinder Hundal, and Parminder Singh, who operate a petroleum distribution business and more than 30 gas and convenience store locations, and will focus their development efforts on the southern half of New Jersey.
The multi-unit development agreement complements a 10-unit agreement for New York’s Long Island signed in 2012 and represents another strategic step toward expansion throughout the Northeast.
“We are thrilled to have secured a deal to bring The Greene Turtle to southern New Jersey, and equally excited about the franchise partners through whom we are doing it,” says Tom Finn, vice president of franchise business for The Greene Turtle. “We plan to establish a strong presence throughout the Garden State, giving fans who know us from their trips south a Turtle of their own, while introducing our concept to a whole new population of consumers.”
Finn says New Jersey is ideal for development of The Greene Turtle. The company typically seeks out markets where it can successfully develop and operate multiple locations, based on existing competition, available real estate, and proximity to professional sports teams, as well as university and youth sports programs, and density of the young family demographic to which The Greene Turtle largely caters.
“This is an incredible opportunity for us and for our New Jersey neighbors,” says Raj Rana. “My partners and I did a lot of research in looking for the perfect brand to develop here, and we are confident we’ve found a winner in The Greene Turtle.
"We strongly believe in a community philosophy. Whether to sponsor a local team, boost a community project or host a charitable program, we are eager to contribute."
The Greene Turtle has 37 locations open in New York, Maryland, Virginia, Delaware, and Washington, D.C. There are now 20 additional units contracted for New York and New Jersey.
The chain is seeking experienced multi-unit investors to develop remaining markets in northern New Jersey and New York City, as well as markets in New England, Pennsylvania, West Virginia, Virginia, the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida.
