Franchise Realty Partners Seeks Emerging Franchisors in the Carolinas

Franchise Realty Partners, the full-service commercial real estate company that operates as an internal real estate department for franchise brands, has its sights set on the Carolinas. After signing three clients in under a year, Franchise Realty Partners is gearing up for major growth and is looking to expand its portfolio by partnering with emerging franchisors across the country. Now, as interest in franchising grows and the commercial real estate market booms, Franchise Realty Partners’ services have never been more relevant in the Carolinas and beyond.

With strong economies, low property taxes, relatively mild climates and a prime locale within the country, the Carolinas have seen their commercial real estate markets thriving over recent years. For example, Charleston has been named “one of the fastest-growing markets in the United States for non-residential construction,” according to its Regional Development Alliance. This creates a highly competitive situation for franchisors looking to secure optimal sites for their franchisees in the Carolinas, especially as the markets deal with pandemic-fueled low inventory and high demand.

And the need for franchisor support is certainly prominent in the Carolinas — South Carolina ranked 6th for highest adult per capita interest in buying a franchise in 2020, according to the latest data from the Franchise Interest Index, while North Carolina came in 12th. The area also serves as home to the headquarters for some of the fastest-growing franchisors in the country, including Bojangles Famous Chicken 'n Biscuits, Fleet Feet, Golden Corral, Carstar Franchise Systems, Inc. and many more.

Franchise Realty Partners was founded by Drew McWilliams, a commercial real estate broker who has been working specifically in the tenant and buyer real estate representation field of the Carolinas for over 20 years. McWilliams and his wife also own the preschool and child care franchise Ivy Brook Academy, which currently has 51 locations open or under development.

This rare combination of both real estate and franchisor experience allows the Franchise Realty Partners team to offer a turnkey real estate solution to help franchisors find optimal sites for their franchisees, connect with brokers, negotiate leases and more.

For those emerging franchisors looking to grow in the Carolinas, McWilliams’ proximity will ensure top-notch customer service and constant communication. As a franchisor himself, bringing that level of communication to the industry is one of the primary reasons McWilliams decided to start Franchise Realty Partners.

“If you have ever tried to call a commercial real estate agent, you know they never answer their phone, especially if the franchisor calling has less than 100 units,” said McWilliams. “We know how valuable it is to have a real estate partner that is available at all times and gets things done quickly. We relate to other franchisors because I am also one, and I understand the complex process they are going through in navigating franchisees.

We also understand the commercial real estate side and can bring the expertise of a massive conglomerate with huge National connections, but still have the communication and relationship-driven approach of a small boutique firm.”

Franchise Realty Partners also works side-by-side with each franchisor to provide truly turn-key service. “We work with the client to take the approach that works best for their needs,” McWilliams said. “For example, we can white-label ourselves as the internal real estate department for a brand if they’d like to come across as having more company depth to their franchisees.

We want to be a turn-key solution — when a franchisor signs a new franchisee, we will take on 100% of the site selection and real estate work to make their role easier. They no longer need to hire one company to handle data-driven site selection and another brokerage to show the properties to franchisees and yet another to negotiate the lease. We will handle it all to help franchisors find sites faster, open stores faster and bring in royalties faster.”

Franchise Realty Partners’ allows franchisors to leverage a robust network of industry connections, which includes brokers in every market across the U.S. but is strongest in the Carolinas where McWilliams has spent the past two decades building relationships.

“The number-one key to success in commercial real estate is partnering with the right local broker,” McWilliams said. “When franchisors are starting, they usually grow in their home state, where they already have real estate connections. But when they enter a new state, those local real estate connections can’t help anymore.

Especially right now, where demand outpaces supply, it is incredibly important to connect with the best local real estate experts who have pocket listings ready in each market. We have been networking for 30 years collectively and we know a multitude of the best brokers in each city across the U.S.”

Franchise Realty Partners has already signed agreements working with franchisees of multiple brands, including large salon franchises Supercuts and Cost Cutters. Now, McWilliams says the firm is looking for new emerging franchisor clients in the Carolinas and across the rest of the country, intending to add 10 franchise brands to its roster each year.

“I’m thrilled with our company positioning to work with large national brands as well as emerging companies. When you give everyone the same real, authentic, genuine support they deserve, everyone wins,” says McWilliams. “Many franchise brands are on the cusp of major growth, which can be an overwhelming process.