Farm Stores to Introduce Enhanced Store Model in Tampa Bay Area As Brand Grows Through Franchising

For nearly 60 years, Farm Stores’ iconic cow signage has served as a beacon of hope for busy families in South Florida. After all, for many residents, the nostalgic chain of drive-thru grocery stores was the closest and most convenient spot to pick up last-minute pantry staples like a carton of eggs or a gallon of milk.

Founded in 1957, Farm Stores is the nation’s largest drive-thru grocery, bakery and quick-service restaurant. For decades it’s served families, giving them quality foods, household supplies and take-home meals on the go. Today, there are more than 60 Farm Stores locations located throughout Florida.

In 2014, Carlos Bared the CEO of Farm Stores, and his brother, Maurice, the COO, decided it was time to expand the brand’s time-tested footprint. After Carlos assumed the role of CEO of franchising that year, his method to grow Farm Stores was to open up its model to franchisees. By 2015, the brothers officially announced that the brand would be embarking on a strategy that included initial development efforts focused on Florida and extending into select suburban markets across the country.

Franchising efforts

Now, with the resale of an existing Farm Stores location to a franchisee in St. Petersburg, the brand’s franchising efforts are officially underway.

The franchisee’s grand opening in St. Petersburg will also unveil the new Farm Stores remodel. Officially dubbed “Farm Stores 4.0,” the remodel—which took six weeks to complete—includes a new color scheme, and amenities like fresh-baked breads (including the popular French baguettes), fresh-squeezed orange juice and bold Nespresso-brewed coffee.

New store model

“As our customers’ needs continue to evolve, we realized that Farm Stores needed to evolve, too. We’re excited to continue growing our brand through franchising, and we’re even more excited to usher in a new and improved Farm Stores model along with our growing system of franchisees,” Carlos said.

This marks the beginning of a new chapter for Farm Stores, which, according to Carlos, is currently targeting the rest of Tampa Bay for continued growth. With many of Farm Stores’ first locations scattered throughout the Tampa Bay area, Carlos’ goal is to retrofit the existing units to Farm Stores’ improved 4.0 standards as new franchisees come on board and take the reins. Farm Stores is now seeking an area developer to help lead the charge. According to Carlos, there’s room for at least 50 new stores in Tampa Bay alone.

“Tampa Bay is a perfect market for development because of its underlying potential for growth and residents’ need for more convenient access to everyday grocery items, baked goods and prepared foods. We already have a great presence in the area. Now, it’s time to introduce an enhanced version of the Farm Stores that people have come to know and love,” Carlos said. “We have a passion for improving the communities we serve and between the ability to upgrade existing units or develop new locations, franchisee candidates are well positioned to grow with us across Tampa Bay.”