Franchise Updates
TOASTIQUE BRINGS HEALTHY RESTAURANT FRANCHISE CONCEPT TO SARASOTA
Sarasota, Florida doesn’t have to wait long to enjoy gourmet toasts and cold-pressed juices from one of the country’s fastest-growing healthy food franchises. Toastique is coming to town under the leadership of Luke and Laura Anderson. For a franchise brand that’s synonymous with healthy and active lifestyles, there couldn’t have been a better pair to introduce Toastique to Sarasota. For the couple, it was love at first sight. “Having run multiple businesses and after researching the world of franchise businesses, I was truly impressed from the moment I received the first piece of literature about Toastique. I was all in,” says Luke about the couple’s Franchise Discovery Process. As Laura puts it, “Being the cook in the house, fueling my active family with healthy food has always been a priority. Finding a brand that I could feel good about and help bring that concept to others greatly influenced my desire to partner with Toastique.” LET’S MEET THE ANDERSONS! Luke and Laura have lived in the Sarasota area since 2003 and in Lakewood Ranch since 2009. Their only son, Chad, is a junior at Lakewood Ranch High School. Laura, who is originally from Central California, holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Criminal Justice from Eastern Kentucky University. She was also a collegiate D1 softball team member there. She went back to school at SCF to earn her Bachelor of Science in Nursing (RN) and was a Labor & Delivery Nurse for five years at Sarasota Memorial Hospital. Looking for an opportunity to spend more time with their son she transitioned to Lakewood Ranch High School where she has served as both a nurse and a faculty member. Luke is from Florida and was raised in Bradenton. He attended Bayshore High School where he was a multi-sport varsity letterman and went on to play collegiate D1 football at Eastern Kentucky University and earned a Bachelor’s degree in Business Management. He is the former owner, operator, and partner of Audio Video Partners (AVP), LLC., a low voltage and audio-video integration firm specializing in commercial projects. Before AVP, Luke was a partner in Synergy Multimedia and later sold that business to Tempus Electronic Lifestyles. At Tempus, he served as the head of operations and project management. He recently sold his ownership in AVP to his partner to pursue new passions and business endeavors. THE RIGHT BRAND, THE RIGHT LOCATION What makes Luke and Laura the right Franchise Owners for Toastique’s new location? Well, the Andersons love the area for its “year-round active lifestyle,” as they put it. How active are the couple, by the way? Traveling, hiking, running, fitness, tennis, and cooking are some of their top leisure activities. Sounds pretty active to us! As Laura says, “We wanted a business that suited our personal and professional backgrounds. With Toastique, we knew right away that it was the perfect fit for us.” The duo is deeply involved in their community, in everything from youth sports to business networking. They also love the area for its young families and high-level public education. Considering their interests and those of the market they will operate in, Luke says they are excited to bring this new healthy and active lifestyle brand to the area. From Toastique’s point of view, they’re not just the ideal Franchise Owners. They’re also the ideal customers. This enables the Andersons to better understand the local market and orient their outreach to address the need gap for healthy food in the area. In Luke’s words, “We were looking for a franchise brand that was new, had a product offering that we could be passionate about, and a modern aesthetic. Toastique checked all of those boxes.” “GENUINE LEADERSHIP” Laura and Luke were impressed when they met Toastique’s leadership team, including Founder Brianna Keefe and CFO/Director of Construction Kyle Izett. The Sarasota couple has one word to describe them: genuine. Their admiration for Brianna and Kyle grew as they realized that the Founders were living the Toastique brand values. “Their dedication really struck us,” Laura says. Approval Day was special for the Andersons. This is the opportunity for prospective Franchise Owners to travel to Toastique’s Washington, D.C. headquarters and experience the operations of the business first-hand, as well as sit down for a face-to-face with Brianna and Kyle. They liked the locations they visited and were impressed by the evolution of the space layout in each new location. Luke says, “Having built a business from scratch, we know first-hand the challenges you face when owning a business. We were impressed from the beginning by not only the product and image of Toastique but also the business model and level of detail the team has put together.” The product, the people, and the positioning seemed perfect for the new Franchise Owners. “The gourmet product offerings, clean and elegant branding strategy, and a simple business model that we could be part of early on and bring to our market,” are a few of the things that Laura says helped the couple make their decision. “After the meeting, we knew this would indeed be a partnership and not just a stand-alone operation,” she adds. The Andersons know that their new venture will be successful because they’re passionate, determined, and more than willing to put in the hard work. “Combining the business ownership and construction experience Luke has with the passion and determination I possess is going to be a killer combination,” Laura says with confidence. Laura has a simple piece of advice to future Franchise Owners: Clarify all your doubts. As she states, “There are never too many questions to ask.” Luke adds, “Owning a business is not easy. Make sure you have a solid plan in place before making this commitment. Your success will not be determined solely by you or your efforts but by your ability to surround yourself with people that make you better.” Laura and Luke are now looking forward to “bringing this new and healthy brand to our local market and sharing that with family, friends, and the community.” You too can become an entrepreneur, backed by a national brand known for creative gourmet toasts, cold-pressed juices, açaí bowls, and a simple, proven business model. Please visit our franchise website for more info.
Learn moreINTRODUCING OUR NEW TOAST & JUICE FRANCHISE WEBSITE!
Between opening our latest location in Washington, D.C.’s Navy Yard district and launching our gourmet toast and juice franchise opportunity in cities across the U.S. for the FIRST time in our history, you can say we’ve been very hard at work here at Toastique over the past several months! Thanks to our rockstar franchise development team and our beautiful, all-new franchising website, we’ve already got calls rolling in from interested franchise investors all over America who want to bring Toastique’s unique gourmet toast and juice franchise opportunity to their community! We can’t wait to meet the amazing pioneers who are going to help us take Toastique to a national level, and we look forward to getting to know you a little better. But- first things first… Meet your Toastique Franchise Development Team! Development Director- Mike Edwards Mike will be your main point of contact once you have qualified for our Education Process. He can answer any questions you may have along the way and provide guidance and support, as well as educate you about the finer points of the Toastique brand. Brand Manager- Charlotte Wagner Charlotte works with franchise consultant networks nationwide to find qualified individuals who are interested in a staffing franchise investment opportunity. Development Manager- Hailey Hyde Hailey’s the first person you’ll speak to on the Toastique franchise development team. She’ll find out a little bit about you, and also give you more information about Toastique, our franchise opportunity, and who we’re looking for in a prospective Franchise Owner. To say that our Toastique franchise development team members are franchising experts would be an understatement. With years of franchising experience with a variety of brands, their combined expertise and understanding enables them to effectively answer any and all questions you may have about our toast and juice franchise opportunity. You’ll be in good hands as you go through your Education Process journey with your trusted team helping you to navigate every step of the way. Our Toast and Juice Franchise Education Process Every journey begins with a single step. If you’re thinking about owning a Toastique franchise in your community, speaking to our Franchise Development Director for more information is the first step on your entrepreneurship journey. From there, you’ll move through our Franchise Education Process, which is designed to educate you on all things Toastique so that you can be sure that we’re the right franchise opportunity for you…and so we can be sure that you’re a good fit for us as a franchise candidate! Here’s an overview of what a prospective Franchise Owner can expect, from their first visit to the Toastique franchising website to the day they sign their franchise agreement: The Toastique Franchise Education Process Qualification- Complete a brief questionnaire so we can learn a bit about you. Initial Call- We’ll get acquainted with each other and find out what you’re looking for in a franchise. You’ll learn more about the franchise system, industry, and what makes Toastique a unique opportunity. We‘ll also get to find out more about your background. Unit Economics- We take a deep-dive into the numbers together so you can see how much your investment will cost …and how much you can potentially make! FDD Review- Access our Franchise Disclosure Document, which contains the nuts and bolts of the Toastique franchise, including guidelines, investment, and detailed performance information. Business Model Review- Here’s your chance to ask questions about our marketing support, operations, and economics during an in-depth review of the Toastique model. Clearance Call- It’s the moment of truth- our executive review team interviews you on a phone call to ensure that your ideals, goals, and spirit are in alignment with the Toastique brand. Discovery Day- Come to Washington, D.C., and meet the Toastique team in person! You’ll get to see the business model in action, tour a couple of our locations, and, of course, sample our amazing menu items, including our signature gourmet toasts, smoothies, juices, and more! Franchise Awarded!- We walk you through the signing of the Franchise Agreement, and voila! You officially own a Toastique franchise! Excited to get started? We encourage you to take a tour of our franchise website to get better acquainted with the Toastique opportunity. Our website is chock-full of the most important information you need to know about who we are, what makes us unique in the juice franchise space, and how much you can potentially make as a Toastique franchise pioneer! (A word to the wise, though- viewing our website on an empty stomach may lead to some pretty intense cravings for an Avocado Smash toast or a Blue Majik smoothie. Don’t say we didn’t warn you!) Toastique is the PERFECT franchise opportunity for 2021- Here’s why! We could go on all day about what makes Toastique an amazing opportunity to own a health-focused café in your community…but let’s face it, we’re in marketing- it’s our JOB to make this franchise sound amazing! Go ahead, visit our franchise website, take a look around, and see for yourself why we’re so passionate about the Toastique brand, our delicious products, and our commitment to providing an absolutely awesome experience for our guests. Enjoy!
Learn moreHEALTHY FOOD FRANCHISE FOUNDER MAKES FORBES’ 30 UNDER 30 LIST!
First, it was the consumers. Then the Franchise Owners caught on. Soon the industry followed suit. Now, one of the most reputed publications on the planet has recognized Brianna Keefe. The Founder of Toastique, the breakfast franchise that’s expanding all over the country, has been featured in the prestigious Forbes 30 under 30! AN EXCLUSIVE CLUB One of the most renowned media companies in the world, Forbes has become synonymous with news on business, entrepreneurship, technology, lifestyle, and investing. With over 100 million visitors exploring their website over six months, it’s the go-to name for credible news across categories. Launched in 2011, the Forbes 30 under 30 is a carefully chosen list of 30 entrepreneurs under the age of 30. These are trailblazers that the company believes have already proven their mettle and are redefining the spaces they operate in. This year’s exclusive club of Forbes 30 under 30, for example, has collectively already raised over $1 billion in funding. A WORTHY MEMBER Brianna’s inclusion in this exceptionally exclusive list shouldn’t surprise anyone who has known her or worked with her. She has made a mark for herself in the restaurant industry for her entrepreneurship and the pathbreaking idea that’s making waves and finding customer acceptance all over the country. She didn’t join a family business or venture into a tired and tested area. She opened a whole new category that offers fast-casual food for health-conscious people. And the business she started, Toastique, the breakfast franchise, has now become a movement with a healthy lifestyle. With every week, more and more Franchise Owners are placing their trust in her. The fact that Brianna Keefe’s just 28 makes the achievement nothing short of incredible. A COMBINATION OF ALL HER PASSIONS Toastique wasn’t just another dream for Brianna. It’s the combination of all her dreams. Since childhood, she had been passionate about food, health, and hospitality. As she says it, she was interested in “clean living in all its forms.” The budding entrepreneur used to make smoothies in high school almost every day. At that time, her dream was to open a “smoothie shack by the beach.” At the James Madison University (JMU), Brianna as a D1 athlete cheerleader soon realized that the existing options in fast food were anything but healthy. They were certainly convenient but not at all wholesome. That’s when she started her experiments with toast, the staple of the classic American breakfast. But Brianna didn’t want to make ordinary toasts. She wanted to see how she could make it nutritious, something that had carbohydrates, healthy fats, and of course, proteins. She soon expanded her original avocado toast to several others while being mindful of the fact that what she came up with had to be easy to carry. In other words, she wasn’t just experimenting with the ingredients. She was also looking for an easy format that would appeal to busy professionals. A MOVEMENT IS BORN Brianna’s passion finally saw fruition when she was walking around the District Wharf, DC’s new waterfront area. It was still under construction but she could see the potential and thought to herself, “This is it.” Toastique, the breakfast franchise that would redefine brunch, was finally born. Of course, the fact that Kyle Izett, her boyfriend, had experience in commercial construction helped her launch the concept. From design to the eventual construction, all it took was 40 days for the first Toastique location to come to life. That lean buildout and the minimal investments it requires is another reason why the brand’s Franchise Owners love its business model. Her love for all things healthy is reflected in the luscious delicacies that are synonymous with Toastique now. More than delicious toasts, the breakfast franchise also serves lip-smacking smoothies along with cold-pressed juices. STUNNING RESPONSE The success of the first location was beyond the wildest dreams of Brianna and Kyle. In its first year of operations, the Wharf location of Toastique generated more than $1 million in sales! What’s stunning about this feat is that the breakfast franchise didn’t use any professional advertising or marketing to generate brand awareness. It was all word-of-mouth from its customers. They did the marketing for Toastique. This spectacular success soon led to the opening of two more locations, one in Alexandria, Virginia, and another in the Navy Yard district. What’s striking about the performance of these Toastique locations is that although they were opened during the worst days of the pandemic, they turned out to be phenomenally profitable. THE BEST IS YET TO COME It’s not just customers who have become believers in Toastique. The response from Franchise Owners has also been extraordinary. This has been extremely gratifying to Brianna and the team since her focus has always been on the collective success of all the entrepreneurs who’re part of the Toastique family. In under three years, Brianna and her team have opened four locations of Toastique. There’s also a sister concern, a salad restaurant called Chopsmith. Toastique has also awarded a whopping 37 new franchise locations to new Franchise Owners across the United States. These will open over the next two years. With a steady increase in the number of daily customers which is now at around 1200, Brianna and her team believe that Toastique will clock close to $7 million in revenue this year. So, what inspires this Forbes 30 under 30 entrepreneur? “A sense of adrenaline” is how Brianna puts it. As soon as she wakes up, her mind begins to race with excitement about all that she has to get done by the end of the day. CALLING ALL ENTREPRENEURS Entrepreneurship is not for everyone, according to Brianna. You need to have passion, drive, and commitment. You also need to be hardworking, optimistic, and have a long-term commitment to the community you serve. If you believe you have it, click here to learn more about the franchising opportunities at the breakfast franchise that’s redefining brunch and empowering entrepreneurs.
Learn moreSTART NEW YEAR’S RESOLUTION SEASON WITH A HEALTHY FOOD FRANCHISE!
$800 billion! That’s how much the health and wellness sector grew between 1996 and 2016. With the events of the COVID-19 pandemic inspiring more people to eat healthier, we could be looking at $1 trillion or more in the coming years. Interestingly, Americans spend about $900,000 on avocado toasts every month, a massive jump from $17,000 back in 2014. So, the time for investors in the health and wellness sector to ride the wave of health-consciousness is now. Experts argue that health-conscious businesses like Toastique are recession-resilient. Understandably, people are likely to prioritize healthy living even amid an economic downturn. So, expect Toastique and other health-conscious all-natural meal businesses to trend. SO, WHAT IS TOASTIQUE? Toastique is a wellness-focused gourmet café with all-natural smoothies, healthy customizable snacks, and cold-pressed juices. WHAT DO WE MEAN BY WELLNESS-FOCUSED MEALS? We believe that healthy meals should be fun to prepare, attractive to present to customers, and nutrient-packed. That’s what drives us at Toastique, and here are some of our classic meals: All-natural smoothies and cold-pressed juices – These fruit blends and veggies squash are perfect refreshments for your customers. They can order as post-workout treats, morning refreshers, or in-between meal snacks. Customizable gourmet toasts – We take toast preparation to the next level with our gourmet toasts. These in-house snacks feature all-organic ingredients that offer customers healthy nutrients to get them through the day and boost their immunity. SHOULD YOU BECOME A TOASTIQUE FRANCHISE OWNER? 2021 is quickly folding up, and customers cannot help but make resolutions for 2022. Expectedly, health and fitness are taking center stage, which presents Toastique Franchise Owners with the perfect opportunity to make meaningful returns on investment. That’s how Brianna Keefe, the woman behind Toastique, started. Brianna was passionate about creating a healthy grab-and-go all-natural meal, and the culmination was Toastique. Two years after launching, the flagship Toastique made over a million dollars with zero marketing expenses. We now have four locations up and running in Washington, D.C., along with a recently-opened location in Stone Harbor, New Jersey. Café construction is underway for all-new Toastique locations in Denver, Austin, Las Vegas, Reno, Orlando, and Balboa Island, California…and it’s only the beginning! We’ve only been franchising since 2020 and have already awarded 24 Toastique locations to 10 new Franchise Owners across the United States. HERE’S WHY YOU SHOULD BE PART OF OUR GROWTH: MAKE MONEY The primary goal of any healthy food franchise business is to make money, and Toastique is no exception. After exceeding our initial goal in our original location and doing well in a few other places, we’ve no doubt our branches will make a good return on investment. In 2019, as we mentioned, our sales eclipsed the $1 million mark with zero marketing expenses. Our Franchise Owners remained profitable through 2020 and 2021 despite the pandemic, and we anticipate an even more successful 2022. CREATE MULTIPLE INCOME STREAMS Toastique allows you to diversify and create multiple income streams. You can offer take-outs, home deliveries, dine-in service, and even catering, which means more avenues to make more money. So, the potentials of earning with Toastique are much higher than with a franchise with more limited revenue streams. PROMOTE HEALTHY LIVING Like our Founder Brianna Keefe, you can own a Toastique healthy food franchise to become a bonafide health and wellness promoter in your community. Healthy living is a surging trend, and just about everyone wants to make it a part of their New Year’s resolution. So, make it YOUR resolution to serve your community with our all-natural smoothies, gourmet toasts, and juices! LESS OVERHEAD Thanks to our simple operations and small footprint, the ramp-up period for Toastique Franchise Owners is much more swift than for the owner of a typical fast-casual restaurant. You don’t need expensive equipment like an oven or fryer, and you also don’t need an intricate design to set up your business. Our expert construction manager and CFO, Kyle Izett, and his team will guide you accordingly to ensure you have everything you need to get up and running quickly and efficiently. LOW-RISK INVESTMENT For an investment starting at just $280,000, you can invest in a Toastique healthy food franchise and start reaping the financial and emotional rewards from helping your community eat healthier. So, the risk is much smaller than what many franchise businesses face, especially in the restaurant industry! Even better, we choose our locations keenly to ensure our Franchise Owners make meaningful returns on investment. We can help you discern the neighborhoods with the best potential for revenue and traffic in your area so you can have the highest chance for success with your Toastique café. OUR PROMISE We promise a smooth process to help you set up your Toastique in the most prime location. Here’s what we offer our investors: INTENSIVE TRAINING We offer an initial 2-week intensive course on running Toastique and tracking its success. The course equips you with everything you need to start this business. FIELD SUPPORT Our expert construction manager Kyle Izett and his team will offer you the necessary assistance throughout the construction. Our construction team of experts will ensure your overheads are below the marketplace. MARKETING SUPPORT We don’t leave you just after helping you set up the business. We also go a step further to help you make it noticeable and popular on Opening Day and beyond. Our marketing team offers you the necessary assistance to draw traffic to your business. Through our expert online marketers, we’ll help you reach a wider audience. FOLLOW-UPS We don’t stop at offering marketing support. We also provide ongoing support as your business grows by making bi-monthly calls, organizing annual meetings, and sending occasional newsletters. Additionally, we offer seasonal promotions and events as a form of providing ongoing support. Meanwhile, our customer support phone lines are always open 24 hours to provide Franchise Owners with all the necessary assistance when they call. SO, HOW MUCH DOES A TOASTIQUE FRANCHISE COST? Unlike most other franchise businesses, Toastique is not capital-intensive. You can start with an initial investment of $280,750 and pay a franchise fee of $45,000. You will, however, need a liquid capital of $150,000. You can check here to see our investment breakdown, including equipment, furniture, insurance, and initial inventory. Depending on location, you may see a return on your investment in as few as 12-16 months. MAKE 2022 THE YEAR OF TOASTIQUE IN YOUR COMMUNITY! If you’ve always dreamed of opening a chic, beautiful café that serves healthy, delicious food, now’s your chance! We’re currently awarding franchises in cities across the U.S., and are selling out fast in major markets. Visit our franchise website today to get started on your Franchise Discovery Process and see how owning a healthy food franchise with Toastique can be the right career move for you. If your New Year’s resolution is to be your own boss and leave the corporate grind behind, it’s time to get started!
Learn moreWhat is the Best Breakfast Franchise to Invest In?
Whether you’re an entrepreneur or a business owner, a breakfast franchise is a promising idea. It’s a specific way to brand your enterprise and target everyone from families to working professionals. But among all the breakfast franchises for sale, which one makes perfect sense? Which one will increase your odds of success in this highly competitive market? Which one is the right long-term investment? Choosing a breakfast franchise is like any other investment decision. You need to look at the financial viability of your investment, the growth prospects of the brand and the category, competition from established names, and whether it aligns with changing consumer preferences. An objective assessment of all these factors will show you that Toastique is the ideal healthy food franchise you should invest in. It checks all the boxes, as several other Franchise Owners have found out in a short span. But the most important reason for you to invest in Toastique is of course the financial aspect of it. Toastique: Minimum investment, maximum returns Once you start searching for a breakfast franchise for sale, you’ll get to know the investments required. For most breakfast franchises out there, that’s quite a lot. You have to come up with a substantial sum for these brands that have no unique product or business model. How expensive are these other breakfast franchises? Famous Toastery franchising starts at $601,500 and can go up to $1,029,500. For Sonic Drive-In, you need to shell out anything from $1,242,200 to a whopping $3,537,700. If you’re considering investing in Scooter’s Coffee, you would be expected to invest a minimum of $389,942, which can go all the way to $860,654. How about Farmer Boys? To be a franchisee, be ready to invest at least $1,042,500. It can stretch to $2,486,500. If you’re thinking about becoming a breakfast franchisee of Ziggi’s Coffee, set aside at least $190,500, which can touch $1,237,608. PJ’s Coffee of New Orleans requires you to invest at least $198,000. The franchising fee can go up to $578,000. If you want to be a franchise of Flying Biscuit Cafe, the minimum amount required is $442,500 and the maximum is $737,000. Franchisees of Elmer’s Breakfast-Lunch-Dinner need to invest at least $712,000. The maximum? An astonishing $3,209,500! If Grumpy’s Restaurant is your choice, know that you’re expected to invest anything from $331,200 to $805,000. The franchising costs of Eggs Up Grill range from $462,330 to $653,680. As you can see, most of them are prohibitively expensive, hovering around a million dollars and going all the way to three and a half million dollars. How about Toastique? Why is this healthy food franchise such a sound financial investment? Toastique requires only a reasonable and sound investment To be a Franchise Owner with Toastique, the minimum investment required is $347,250. That’s substantially lower than almost all other breakfast franchises on the list. You don’t have to run around arranging two to three million dollars to be an independent and successful entrepreneur. That alone should interest you in this healthy food franchise that the nation is talking about and one that managed to thrive even during the pandemic. But there’s more. As an entrepreneur, beyond brand recognition, there’s something else you should be interested in. Profit margin. Toastique gives you an exceptionally high profit margin The fast-food industry is notorious for low profit margins. This is something most franchise brands won’t tell you when you approach them. They would focus on how many people know their names and where they operate. Those metrics shouldn’t concern you as much as the operating margin of your business. In 2021, Toastique generated a profit margin of 20%. This is unheard of in the fast-food industry. Even established franchise brands with decades of experience don’t have margins anywhere close to this. If you’re looking at breakfast franchises for sale, this is the number you should be focusing on. This is the competitive advantage you should be analyzing. How did Toastique manage to generate such a high profit margin in a year that was probably the most challenging for the industry in decades? A unique product means high margins The primary differentiator for Toastique is the product. The brand has successfully reinvented the classic American breakfast staple, the toast, and made it yummy and healthy. A dish that was hardly seen as nutritious has now become wholesome. Customers know that the customizable and convenient gourmet toasts they find at Toastique can’t be found anywhere else. Along with imaginative toasts, customers also have cold-pressed juices, all-natural smoothies, and açaí bowls to choose from. Aligned with changing consumer behaviors When you search online for breakfast franchises for sale, you’re unlikely to find gourmet toasts anywhere else. That gives the brand a unique advantage in the market since consumer trends are shifting towards healthier options. People are tired of carb-filled junk food. They want healthier options for themselves and their families. They’re also willing to pay a premium for it. As a Franchise Owner with Toastique, you stand to benefit from this changing consumer behavior. A lean business model with multiple revenue streams Toastique also has a lean business model. You can get started quickly with a fast buildout. Other than dine-in, there’s pickup and delivery. As a Franchise Owner with Toastique, you can also increase your revenue through catering. Importantly, there’s exclusivity guaranteed with Toastique. You’ll have the exclusive rights to be the Franchise Owner in your area. This significantly reduces competition and improves margins. Finally, people already know the brand and its uniqueness. The high profit margin and the fast expansion have happened without any marketing campaigns. Unlike other fast-food brands, Toastique doesn’t spend any money on advertising. The brand has built its social media following through word-of-mouth endorsement. Toastique – The perfect breakfast franchise opportunity With a unique product, high profit margin, lean business model, multiple revenue streams, and thriving brand equity, Toastique is the perfect opportunity for entrepreneurs and business owners looking for breakfast franchises for sale. Click here to know more.
Learn moreEXPERTS FORECAST SUNNY OUTLOOK FOR BREAKFAST FRANCHISES IN 2021!
Is now a great time to open a breakfast franchise like Toastique? Actually, according to industry experts, 2021 may be an ideal year for entrepreneurs to explore the breakfast franchise space and capitalize on a growing trend within the foodservice industry. Following the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on restaurants around the world, many future breakfast Franchise Owners have found themselves wondering what lies ahead for the industry. Despite the negative effects of the pandemic, the restaurant industry is poised to see significant growth and recovery throughout 2021. When entering into the breakfast franchise restaurant industry in these trying times, it is important to take full note of current trends, as well as changes to the overall dining experience and dynamic. Entrepreneurship during this time must be carried out with precise attention to detail in order to overcome the new challenges brought about during the pandemic. Additionally, it is crucially important to keep an eye on new and evolving predictions and forecasts surrounding the breakfast franchise restaurant industry, as well as the broader foodservice industry as a whole. While it may be disheartening to research current failures within the industry, this can actually provide tremendous insight into what is not working anymore and what changes are being made in restaurants that have persevered and come out the other side successful. This article will explore current statistics and growth forecasts surrounding our industry in order to help those looking to enter into this field of business in 2021 to properly interpret and understand these numbers and predictions. We will also discuss what changes to business strategies and in-store operations will be highly important to embrace in the coming years, as well as new opportunities that have risen in recent times for breakfast franchise restaurants like Toastique. RESTAURANT INDUSTRY STATISTICS SIGNAL NEW GROWTH In 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic resulted in a drastic decrease in overall sales within the restaurant industry, with sales having fallen more that 30 percent over the course of the year compared to 2019. Although experts predict that the first quarter of 2021 will not see too much improvement, it is predicted that the industry will rise back towards its original sales seen in 2019 over the course of the year – an estimated 20 to 25 percent growth in total. Although these growth stats currently remain below where sales were at before the pandemic, it is important to note that the arrival of the COVID-19 vaccine stands to potentially provide even more significant improvements. Depending on the efficiency of distribution of the vaccine, the second half of 2021 especially may see exponential improvement beyond current predictions. Technomic, a management and consulting company centered around foodservice research, announced in December 2020 that they expect to see “strong to moderate growth” over the coming 12 months. Moreover, Technomic states that aggressive strategies and streamlining of menus will be at the forefront of successful business models. Part of this aggressive strategy mentioned by Technomic will be focusing on investing in contactless technology. Although the vaccine will eventually allow consumers to resume regular dining out experiences, 2021 is likely to see consumers remain wary of visiting restaurants to dine-in. As such, placing emphasis on sanitation, digital ordering, take-out, and social distancing will remain as crucial components of a business strategy for successful restaurants this year. EXAMINING FOODSERVICE INDUSTRY FORECASTS FOR 2021 AND BEYOND Though 2021 is not currently expected to see overall restaurant industry sales reach the same numbers as seen in 2019, the overall predictions for the industry beyond 2021 are promising. According to the National Restaurant Association, total restaurant industry sales are expected to rise to $1.2 trillion by 2030 and provide more than 17 million employment opportunities. Digital sales are expected to be a leading factor in sale increases over the coming years. Ordering food digitally, for instance, accounted for to 20 percent of all orders in 2020, rising from just 5 percent in 2018. Moreover, restaurants that offered limited in-person service in favor of more digitally oriented business models are expected to continue growing exponentially, potentially dominating the industry in years to come. Breakfast franchise and brunch-oriented restaurants have the potential to have a leg up on other more formal fine-dining or dinner oriented businesses, due to the nature of breakfast and brunch food items being easier to optimize for take-out and digital ordering – two major components of quick service restaurants. This focus on quick service is important for breakfast franchise models and other restaurants, as the industry will likely see a continued shift towards digitization and non-dine-in business models. In fact, a recently published industry outlook reports that quick-service restaurants have recovered at a faster rate and are expected to recover over half of what was lost in 2020. BEST RESTAURANT PRACTICES AND CHANGING CONSUMER DEMANDS Although the pandemic is expected to come under control in 2021, many of the measures seen utilized throughout the pandemic are likely to stick around. For instance, new staff training and more thorough sanitation practices rose in response to COVID-19 with 51 percent of staff being retrained on food safety and cleaning procedures. This heavy focus on stricter sanitation protocols is likely to be a major component that drives consumer trust and spending at specific restaurants. Having a strong marketing strategy and clear messaging will also contribute greatly to breakfast franchise restaurant success. This is especially true when it comes to attracting a more local consumer base, especially considering travelling restrictions are likely to stay in place for a good part of 2021. According to USA Today: “Building on existing social media marketing programs, operators will get more personal and localized, perhaps using geo-tracking and even facial recognition technology to anticipate customer needs and wants. Frequent-diner databases and loyalty programs will become more common.” Additionally, consumers are likely to continue favoring contactless service, outdoor dining, and curbside delivery – thus, embracing these practices will be key to attracting a loyal consumer base that results in both returning customers and a strong local reputation. Thanks to our existing partnerships with third-party delivery services, not to mention our takeout-friendly, “grab-and-go” business model, Toastique is well-positioned to provide contactless service options to our customers with minimal effort and expense for our Franchise Owners. FINAL THOUGHTS The restaurant industry, especially in regard to breakfast franchise and brunch-oriented restaurants like Toastique, is shifting the ways in which it does business. Digital ordering, quick service, and strict sanitation protocols are all major factors that stand to redefine the ways in which restaurants operate. For entrepreneurs looking to enter into the breakfast franchise restaurant industry in 2021, innovation and adaptability will be key. While existing restaurants have to restructure their entire business models, new Franchise Owners especially will have the privilege of being able to implement these new measures from the start, allowing them to budget and plan accordingly. Any new business venture is not without risk, and that includes opening a new restaurant. However, with a strong team and source of support, new restaurant owners have the opportunity to take advantage of the changing landscapes of the foodservice industry in 2021. As a breakfast franchise that serves delicious, healthy, on-the-go meals and snacks, Toastique ticks all the boxes for future growth and success in the restaurant industry. Our take-out and delivery-friendly menu and scalable footprint gives Franchise Owners the ability to nimbly pivot their business model when necessary, while our all-natural, locally sourced ingredients and focus on total-body wellness make us a fan favorite any day of the week! Visit our breakfast franchise website to learn how you can make 2021 the year you bring Toastique to your community!
Learn moreTHE RETURN OF BRUNCH- WHAT TO EXPECT IN A POST-COVID SOCIETY
As a brunch franchise that prioritizes health and wellness, Toastique is looking forward to the day we can see you enjoying our gourmet toasts, smoothies, juices, and more right in our chic, rustic dining areas! Nothing will make us happier than getting to welcome new and familiar customers into our restaurants and serve up all-natural, locally-sourced menu favorites. We’re thrilled to see that day coming soon, and we are especially excited for what the end of COVID-19 will mean for our brunch Franchise Owners, some of whom may be opening their doors for the very first time in 2021. Here’s a quick look at what we foresee as the future of brunch- as well as brunch franchise locations like Toastique- as our world slowly but surely gets back to normal. The Toastique Brunch Franchise: a Pandemic-Resistant Model! The COVID-19 pandemic has left no stone unturned. Businesses, world governments, and people have had to adapt, finding workarounds and pivots to meet changing consumer needs in this “new normal” we continue to navigate. Though the restaurant industry was among one of the hardest hit by the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, with some restaurants and franchises struggling to stay open amid statewide shutdowns, and some even closing for good. However, all is not lost- in fact, some restaurants who were able to successfully pivot their business model to emphasize take-out, delivery, or curbside service found themselves breaking even or, in some cases, remaining profitable throughout the duration of the statewide shutdowns that forced some of their competitors out of business. We’re proud to say that our brunch franchise was one such restaurant- so much so that we not only have been able to keep business thriving throughout the pandemic, but we even opened our newest Navy Yard location right in the middle of it, in June 2020! Today, nearly one year into COVID-19 and the new way of life that has emerged from it, restaurant managers and customers have gotten used to navigating ever-changing restaurant restrictions. Ordering online, through apps, or over the phone has become the norm, and people are becoming more used to either ordering takeout or delivery, eating outside on patio tables, or complying with the safety guidelines and mandates that accompany indoor dining when possible. Of course, COVID-19 won’t be here forever, though it may seem like it sometimes. We’ll be able to go out and enjoy meals with our friends and family members once more, perhaps even sooner than we think! When you stop to think about all the people who miss lazy Sunday brunches and can’t wait to get back to weekend breakfasts with their favorite crew, right now seems like a perfect time to invest in a brunch franchise like Toastique! With our healthy, all-natural meals and snacks and our built-in ‘grab-and-go’ service model, we just may be the future of brunch! Lessons from the past In 1918, the Spanish influenza epidemic took over the world in a way that was similar to what we’re seeing today. After governments and public health systems around the world were able to control it, the world experienced the “Roaring Twenties” – a decade marked by ostentatiousness, celebration, and prosperity. True, not everything turned out as desired, but one thing was clear: after getting a deadly disease under control, people were craving a sense of normalcy and even decadence after turning the corner. Financial experts anticipate a similar boom in demand for some of the things we’ve been missing most over the past year (ummm, brunch with friends, anyone?) once we’re able to return to normal. Seems to us like a pretty good time to have a Toastique brunch franchise grand opening! What this means for our brunch Franchise Owners The National Restaurant Association projects growth in the restaurant industry through 2030, with a projection of up to 17 million jobs and up to $1.3 trillion in worldwide sales by the end of the decade. As Toastique focuses on brunch and breakfast items, our Franchise Owners are well-positioned to anticipate steady growth. Did you know that: In 2020, digital sales comprised up to 20% of all total sales, showing that customers quickly adapted to changing scenarios. Breakfast and brunch items are generally cost-effective and can easily be packaged for better delivery or pick-up options. Health and wellness products are expected to continue seeing steady sales. Breakfast foods such as yogurt, granola, fruit juices, and smoothies all fall into this category. Offering these options can help your franchise stand out and cater to a growing market of health-conscious people. Smoothies and juices also continued to sell steadily in 2020 despite the pandemic, showing that millennials are interested and willing to invest in products that cater to their unique needs. The U.S. juice and smoothie market’s estimated value is $5.5 billion.* (Numbers obtained from our 2020 FDD). This sector is expected to continue to grow over the next 5 years. The future of post-COVID restaurants Breakfast and brunch franchise restaurants like Toastique have the potential to adapt quickly. Unlike fine dining or traditional casual dining restaurants, we don’t have to worry about things like hiring servers or hosts, and we can keep our menu options simple, fresh, and easy to prepare, making for either a perfect grab-and-go experience or more relaxed, come-as-you-are in-house dining when possible. Simpler menus also allow you the opportunity to focus on the following: Going paperless. COVID made people uneasy about having to touch menus that were probably never sanitized. Consumers are now used to logging onto the internet to see your offerings. No-contact options. Though many consumers are ready to dine-in, it’s likely that some people will remain weary of restaurants. No-contact options, such as creating apps, using existing third-party apps, or coming up with innovative digital options can only help you. Customers can conveniently order their favorite items and choose their pick-up or delivery method. Additional safety trainings. Food-borne illnesses and bacteria have been a problem in the restaurant industry even before the pandemic. Now is the time to beef up your safety certification, teach your staff how to properly wear and dispose of their personal protective equipment, and possibly get used to the fact that mask-wearing may become more common in the industry. In fact, customers may even insist on this, since masks prevent aerosolized droplets to get into their meals and protects them from illnesses other than COVID-19. Better social media practices. COVID-19 forced businesses of all kinds to change how they use social media. For Toastique Franchise Owners, this means an all-time high number of Instagram followers! Our brunch franchise support team helps Franchise Owners stay in touch with customers, build loyalty programs, and gather testimonials about how great your food is, all through social media. Seeing as how we were able to earn over $1 MILLION at our first store location during our first year in business,* all without spending a penny on marketing, it’s safe to say we know how to use social media to our brunch Franchise Owners’ advantage! The Takeaway The outlook for demand on places of social gathering, including brunch franchise restaurants like Toastique, is slowly on the uptick as our systems of public health continue to work hard to ensure life can go back to normal. For now, innovations in online ordering, curbside pickup, and third-party delivery helps our Franchise Owners continue to satisfy even the fiercest gourmet toast cravings to our loyal customers without skipping a beat. Brunch is about to make a big comeback as the world reopens, and with our unique menu options that can’t be found at any other national brunch franchise, Toastique is poised to be at the forefront of the action! Visit our breakfast franchise website to learn more about Toastique and how it can become a part of your community.
Learn more5 SIGNS YOUR CITY COULD USE A HEALTHY BREAKFAST FRANCHISE
If you’re looking into owning a restaurant, have you given any thought to investing in a breakfast franchise like Toastique? Now that the return to ordinary life is on the horizon, restaurants are anticipated to be in high demand in a post-COVID era. There’s quite possibly never been a better time to open a restaurant, especially if you are part of a franchise system with a proven business model, robust support team, and the recognition and fan base that comes from being part of a national brand. As a healthy breakfast franchise that is just getting started expanding to new markets in the U.S., Toastique offers prospective Franchise Owners a unique opportunity to help build the brand as a pioneering investor, and to secure a prime location where our gourmet toasts, cold-pressed juices, smoothies, and other locally-sourced menu favorites are sure to be appreciated! …But we’re getting ahead of ourselves. If you’re just in the early stages of realizing your dream to open a restaurant, there are a few things you should look at while deciding what type of restaurant to start. For example, we may be biased here, but we can’t think of a place in the country that doesn’t love a delicious breakfast! Let’s dive into 5 signs that your city could use a healthy breakfast franchise like Toastique! HEALTH-CONSCIOUS COMMUNITY Obviously, a healthy breakfast spot needs a health-conscious community to patronize it. Toastique’s unique offering of gourmet toast creations will appeal to anyone looking for a meal that is wholesome, convenient, and not found at just any fast-casual restaurant. Add in our all-natural smoothies, cold-pressed juices, and açaí bowls, and you’ve got a unique menu designed to make anyone seeking healthy alternatives to fast-food breakfasts swoon! How do you find a health-conscious community? Look at things like walkability, for example. Walkscore.com scored the top 20 most walkable cities in the U.S., ranking bustling downtowns like San Francisco, Portland, and Denver high on the list. We find that our Toastique locations thrive in places with moderate to heavy foot traffic, which allows passers-by to see our mouthwatering creations for themselves as guests enjoy them at our outdoor patio tables. Seems that suddenly everyone gets a little breakfast FOMO when they come face-to-face with an amazing gourmet toast on their walk to work! Some other notable indicators of health-conscious communities are places with bodies of water nearby (even a lake or stream if not an ocean). While the ‘downtown’ areas tend to have a more metropolitan structure (concrete jungle, anyone?) – they also tend to include natural settings to counter-balance the effect. Think large parks, hike or bike trails, and yes – beaches. Toastique prides itself on being unlike other breakfast franchise brands by choosing locations that speak to the values of health-conscious individuals, and have found success in every new breakfast franchise location we’ve opened so far! POLITICS (BELIEVE IT OR NOT) Big cities tend to attract young and middle-aged liberals who seek to embrace their natural propensity for diversity and change. Inherently, larger cities provide much more variety than small, quiet suburbs or rural areas. There have actually been studies done to determine whether one form of thinking is tangibly “healthier” than another. However, really when it comes down to it, you’re still looking at health-centric cities to find a liberal majority, which is quite the indicator. Now, that’s not to say that you won’t find wealthy, health-conscious conservative areas that would welcome a healthy breakfast franchise like Toastique. It’s absolutely and most certainly possible. For example, a city like Saratoga Springs, NY has all the earmarks of being a fabulous place for a Toastique, and it’s typically a politically conservative city! AFFORDABLE BUSINESS REAL ESTATE It shouldn’t have to be said, but we all know that the current climate has driven many businesses to shut their doors – especially eateries. But, as they say, every cloud has a silver lining- for those opening new restaurants in 2021, finding an affordable location on a well-trafficked street has never been so cheap in a metro area. People are going back to work and need to grab a healthy, on-the-go meal on their way in or have lunch. Find yourself an area where there are large businesses nearby and where street-level companies have made the leasing or buying of space more affordable. FortuneBuilders has listed the ten fastest-growing commercial real estate market predictions, and lo-and-behold, several of these fit the rest of this list, too! Health-conscious, close to nature, and so much more. Toastique’s low overhead and quick buildout costs are a bonus to finding the perfect spot for your spot. Toastique breakfast franchise puts the dream of owning a chic, inviting space to offer healthy and all-natural foods within your reach for an affordable investment that is about a third of the cost of a typical restaurant concept. This low-barrier to entry is what gives you much more room for finding just the perfect spot to open up shop! DEMOGRAPHICS – AGE, GENDER, EDUCATION AND MORE Toastique’s menu offers Instagram-worthy options, and that’s no joke! So you’re going to want to take note of your city’s demographics regarding things like age and gender, as they relate to the probability of Instagram use. Benchmarking your data research with Instagram demographics will undoubtedly be important when deciding whether your city could use a healthy breakfast franchise. Did you know that over 500 million accounts view Instagram Stories every day? Did you know that the potential audience reach for advertisers on Instagram (which you should totally be, by the way) is 1.16 billion? Fun fact: a recent poll of users aged 16-64 finds that almost half of Instagram users also use TikTok. The age demographic that most uses Instagram are 25-34 years old. It’s the most extensive advertising audience, meaning it’s the group that most uses the social media network. Next up, and following very closely are the 18-24 year group. This age group is always searching for their next viral post opportunity means that you should probably consider a city that has a university nearby. When it comes to gender demographics in the United States, 43% of Instagram’s ad audience identifies as female, and 31% identifies as male. With over 5,700 followers, Toastique has already generated an impressive audience thanks to the naturally-Instagrammable menu items our breakfast franchise offers! ADDITIONAL LOCAL INTERESTS AND ACTIVITIES Aside from being close to nature, with a young, liberal, health-conscious community, what other activities and interests could drive traffic to your healthy breakfast venue? People who love travel, the music scene (especially park concerts and cafe-style open mic venues), food and drink, fashion, and film also tend to top the list. So think about the city you’re looking into opening up in, and check out the local interest vibe. Is there a spot open next door to a vintage record shop or an exclusive high-end boutique that could benefit from the foot traffic? Ideally, you may want to consider a space near other health-focused restaurants that serve up things like rustic-style whole-grain pizzas or maybe even a holistic vitamins shop! OWN A BREAKFAST FRANCHISE AND TOAST TO A HEALTHY FUTURE! While finding just the perfect spot to open up a healthy breakfast franchise can feel like a daunting task, the bottom line is that Toastique is, as the name implies, a totally unique take on something that everyone has relied upon for a breakfast/brunch staple. It’s familiar, with a twist. It feels indulgent, like a guilty pleasure, but without any guilt! It’s comfort food gone elaborate and kooky – in a good way – and boy do those photos make the mouth water! Toastique elevates toast from classic side dish to health-focused power meal, a fresh new take on a beloved favorite. Our customizable gourmet toasts provide guests with a healthy, wholesome, convenient meal option that is never found at any other fast-casual restaurant. Along with an array of all-natural smoothies, cold-pressed juices, and açaí bowls, Toastique’s unique menu of healthy, grab-and-go meals and snacks makes us truly unlike any other breakfast franchise on earth.
Learn moreSHOULD I OPEN MY OWN RESTAURANT OR INVEST IN A BRUNCH FRANCHISE?
‘The last year has been exceptionally challenging for the restaurant industry. But the smartest of entrepreneurs also know that the pandemic didn’t hit all restaurants the same way. For aspiring business owners, the coming months may be just the right time to consider opening a restaurant that gets people excited and offers healthy, on-the-go options…a place like the Toastique brunch franchise! If you are thinking about getting into the restaurant industry, you might wonder why you should take the brunch franchise route at all. Why shouldn’t you open your own restaurant instead of riding on someone else’s brand identity? After all, isn’t an entrepreneur supposed to start from scratch? Wouldn’t that be more satisfying? The answer to the second question is that, no, it won’t be satisfying in the current scenario. As far as the first question is concerned, that in itself is the problem. Unfortunately, most people who get into the restaurant industry enter with unrealistic expectations. It helps to have an objective assessment of the problems an entrepreneur will run into. To make it easy for you, here are four problems that anyone launching an independent restaurant or standalone brunch spot will face. 4 PROBLEMS INDEPENDENT RESTAURANT ENTREPRENEURS SHOULD KNOW ABOUT Real Estate The first challenge will be finding the right real estate. As an independent restaurant entrepreneur, you should know that food is only one of the several factors based on which your patrons will judge you. Your business needs to be in the right place too. For a traditional dining establishment, the place also needs to be large enough to accommodate patrons while making room for those who wait. Of course, that’s only the beginning. Then you’ve to invest in the interiors to create the right ambiance. None of this guarantees that you’ll succeed. It only ensures that you meet the basic criteria. Permits The restaurant industry isn’t all about creating new dishes and naming cocktails. The real work is in getting the necessary permits from the local authorities and ensuring that all your procedures follow the government codes. It’s a real grind. It’s especially demanding when you’re not aware of the legalities involved. Industry veterans know the hard work behind getting all the required permits. They know how long inspections can take. For someone getting into the industry as an independent entrepreneur, it can get too challenging, too soon. Marketing This is the big one, and unfortunately, the most-overlooked issue for new restaurant entrepreneurs. A restaurant is like any other business or brand that needs marketing to drive in customers. And it’ll take a lot of time, money, and effort. When you’re launching a new brand, you’re trying to claim space among the established. For that, you need to be unique, memorable and offer a compelling proposition. Even if you’ve done all the necessary market research, things may not go according to plan. You may be launching in an area that may not like your particular brand of cuisine. Or, may not be able to afford it. To make matters worse, soon after you launch, there could be copycats with similar offerings. So, you’ll have to hire a full-time marketing agency. That means additional expenditure on their retainer fee and other marketing expenses. Pricing If you’re launching a standalone brunch spot, you won’t be able to consistently command the prices you need. Since it’ll take time for it to be a brand, you won’t be able to justify your high prices. You may be forced to offer steep discounts, come up with special offers to attract customers. Once they get used to your low prices – either on a particular product or for a bundled offering – it will be difficult to raise them again. All these will hurt your operational efficiency. But what if there was a different way to fulfill your dream of bringing healthy, delicious breakfast and brunch choices to the people of your community? If you’d rather skip the headaches associated with opening an independent restaurant. it’s time to look into investing in a brunch franchise like Toastique! WHY YOU SHOULD INVEST IN A BRUNCH FRANCHISE WITH TOASTIQUE Now that you know the problems associated with a standalone restaurant or an independent brunch spot, it’s time to think of becoming a brunch franchise with the most exciting new brunch brand in America right now. Here are seven excellent reasons for you to become a Franchise Owner with Toastique. 7 reasons to be a Franchise Owner with Toastique Unique offerings Toastique elevates toast from a classic side dish to a health-focused power meal. Our customizable gourmet toasts provide patrons with a wholesome, convenient meal option that can’t be found at any other fast-casual restaurant or independent brunch spot. For the health-conscious Consumers are ditching sugar-filled or carb-rich diets for healthier options. Along with our all-natural smoothies, cold-pressed juices, and açaí bowls, our healthy, grab-and-go meals and snacks have made us the preferred brunch brand for the health-conscious. Ideal for the “new normal” Toastique successfully survived and even thrived during the pandemic thanks to our “grab-and-go” menu offerings and our model of takeout and delivery. All our locations were operational and profitable throughout the past year- in fact, we even opened a new Toastique location in summer 2020! Low build-out cost Toastique’s launch model is franchise-friendly and highly efficient. Our build-out costs are among the lowest in the industry. As more commercial real estate becomes available, they can only get lower. Fast growth How much did our first location make in its first year of operations? Over a million dollars!* Not only that, but we managed to hit those profits without any professional marketing or advertising support. Why? Because healthy toasts is a category where Toastique has no national competition. Low overhead We have a lean, and efficient model that’s focused on fast and organic customer acquisition with low costs. This is what enabled us to finish our first two locations in 40 days. Multiple revenue streams As a Franchise Owner, you can create revenue from delivery, takeout, or dine-in as the times change. You can also earn from catering opportunities in your vicinity. There you have it, more than enough reasons to be a Toastique Franchise Owner! Before someone else claims your brunch franchise location, click here and learn how you can make it yours. Like us on Facebook. Follow us on Instagram. Subscribe to our YouTube channel. (Warning: May result in intense cravings- visit at your own risk!)
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