Sophie’s Cuban Cuisine (SCCF, LLC) announced today that they will resume offering franchises for their popular downtown lunch concept after a nearly three year economy-induced hiatus. Sofia Luna, co-founder and President, said that their franchising start in late 2006 resulted in three franchised Sophie’s that are doing very well but that the severe recession that began in their core downtown Manhattan market convinced them to stop until the financial crisis subsided. With the economy finally on the upswing and renewed interest from potential franchisees, Sophie’s is now poised for renewed growth.
The New York metro market is the primary emphasis with qualified candidates benefiting from the strong brand equity in New York as well as close hands-on guidance. She is confident that the Sophie’s concept will also appeal to people in high traffic locations across the country. Sofia says that franchisees will be selected carefully so that the chain will always retain its family feel.
Sophie’s Cuban Cuisine restaurants began delighting hungry lunchtime crowds in 1998 when the Luna family opened Sophie’s in Lower Manhattan near the World Trade Center. They were so busy that they quickly opened another, larger one nearby and the young restaurant chain began to grow. They had four thriving restaurants when 9/11 took the first two away, but it didn’t take them long to build back to four and then to add three franchised Sophie’s.