Baskin-Robbins looks to enter Panama City market
PANAMA CITY - An multinational ice cream shop chain has targeted Panama City as one of its future expansion areas for franchise sales.
Canton, Mass.-based Baskin-Robbins has plans to open 24 new stores in Northwest Florida and Southern Alabama, including multiple locations in the Panama City area, a company official said via e-mail Monday.
"Baskin-Robbins expects to open at least three stores over the next couple of years in Panama City," said James Franks, Baskin-Robbins' national director of franchising.
The company already operates five locations in the Mobile, Ala., and Pensacola areas, part of more than 175 stores in Florida and Alabama. There are no Baskin-Robbins stores in the Panama City area.
Baskin-Robbins plans to open more than 400 stores globally this year. It has almost 6,000 shops in more than 30 countries.
Franks said the Panama City area's population growth in recent years was a major reason for deciding to bring the national chain to Bay County.
The company is actively looking for franchisees in the Panama City, Pensacola, Tallahassee and Mobile areas.
A Baskin-Robbins franchising seminar, held Tuesday in Pensacola for prospective Northwest Florida and Southern Alabama franchisees, included information on the company's new store design, logo, marketing, training and site selection.
Another seminar is scheduled Thursday in Jacksonville.
Franks said the company expected prospects from the Panama City area to be in attendance at the Pensacola seminar.
The company's franchising manager responsible for the Florida markets also will be conducting one-on-one meetings in Panama City with potential franchisee candidates.