Fransmart Guides Expansion of Quick-Service Gourmet Dessert Franchise
JARS by Fabio Viviani, a quick-service dessert franchise, has plans for 10 locations in the Dallas-Fort Worth region – with a lease already signed for a densely populated area within Fort Worth. Texas is one of four states where JARS has awarded franchises to multi-unit owners.
Dallas-Fort Worth franchisees Tejal and Jason Wible are bullish about their first JARS site, which is scheduled to open later this year. “We’re right between I-20 and I-30 and situated near some great schools, including Texas Christian University, and several residential neighborhoods,” Tejal Wible said. “We’re confident we found the perfect spot to bring the next big thing in desserts to Fort Worth residents.”
The Wibles will open five or six JARS franchises in the growing Dallas-Fort Worth metropolitan area by 2028, and the brand has the potential to open a total of 20 units in the region within the coming three to five years.
What Sets the JARS Franchise Apart
JARS by Fabio Viviani launched in 2021 and began franchising in 2022. Each franchise will offer a minimum of a dozen JARS desserts daily, says Chris Carlton, Director of Operations for JARS by Fabio Viviani. “The JARS are layered with unique, delicious flavors so you can get the taste of the entire creation in every spoonful,” he says. JARS locations also serve gourmet hot chocolate, fresh fruit refreshers and soft serve ice cream versions of some of the JARS desserts on the menu.
JARS flavors rotate among more than 100 recipes. For instance, on any given day, a customer may be choosing from Cherry Cheesecake, Birthday Cake, Strawberry Shortcake, Viviani’s signature Italian Tiramisu, Chocolate S’mores, Tres Leches and even a couple of gluten-free options, Chocolate Caramel Cheesecake and Double Chocolate Fudge Cake.
“Viviani and his JARS franchise have reimagined the way people experience dessert with a menu that celebrates indulgence, creativity and flavor,” Carlton says. “All JARS are made on-site every day. You’re not going to ever get stale cookies or custard, even on large catering orders for meetings, weddings and other events. Our operating standards maintain a high level of freshness in all of our JARS.”
About Fabio Viviani
In addition to being the founder of JARS, Viviani is a celebrity chef, hospitality developer, restaurateur, best-selling cookbook author and television VIP. In 2005 he moved from Florence, Italy, to the United States with hopes of expanding his hospitality empire. And he’s done just that. Viviani has opened more than 40 different restaurants, bars and hospitality venues throughout the country, with the properties managed by the restaurant group Fabio Viviani Hospitality.
His TV career was born in 2008, when he appeared on the reality competition cooking show Top Chef. Viviani was voted Fan Favorite for that season’s episodes, and he returned to the Bravo network to compete on Top Chef: All Stars.
JARS Franchising Begins and Booms
To nurture the growth of his dessert restaurant concept, Viviani teamed with Fransmart, a specialist in development of emerging franchises. They set a goal of starting more than 500 JARS locations throughout the United States within five years. So far, so good: JARS is approaching 40 franchise units currently in development, and the brand opened its first corporate site in Chicago in February.
According to Fransmart, JARS particularly appeals to entrepreneurs who appreciate the rich opportunity in dessert franchises and are wowed by the brand’s high-volume, high-tech, hoodless/ventless model with limited cooking and no kitchen buildout. Staffing does not require a trained chef, and the foods are prepared in a flash, which maximizes sales and keeps impatient customers happy. JARS stores can be as small as 750 square feet, and they’re easy to set up within standard retail spaces, Carlton points out.
“It’s a quick-service restaurant but operates more like a retail store,” he continues. “The operations have been fine-tuned so that even franchisees without restaurant experience can be confident of success. In addition, there are revenue streams from robust catering and delivery orders. Some of our biggest customers are Fortune 500 companies that love the variety and ease of catering with JARS for their events.” Customers can order from JARS through every third-party delivery platform.
JARS Franchisees
Fransmart and JARS seek more investors in the up-and-coming franchise. A five-unit minimum is required for the top 50 markets, but in smaller markets, fewer units are doable. Most franchisees will be hands-on with their stores, Carlton says. “Owner-operators are at the heart of the JARS concept, but if they have a highly skilled and trusted operations manager or director, there is an opportunity for the franchisee to take a small step back.”
Current franchisees run the gamut in terms of career backgrounds. “Our current franchisee list is a who’s who in a variety of industries. We have former financial services executives, doctors and franchisees with experience in the quick-service sector,” Carlton says. “Our ideal franchisee is someone who loves desserts and wants to gain market share in their region before someone else does.”
He adds that JARS already has 37-and-counting stores in development in California, Texas, Illinois and Arizona. “The first is expected to open in Orange County, Calif., and it will be followed by our stores in Fort Worth and Oakland, Calif. Territories are available in all 50 states, although registration is pending in some states. We’re also entertaining prospects in Canada and further abroad.” For more details about the JARS by Fabio Viviani franchise, visit www.fransmart.com/JARS.