Fast-casual Indian street food chain Curry Up Now, known for its Indian burritos and smothered waffle fries, has announced that it will open numerous locations around San Diego County as part of a huge expansion in partnership with franchise developing giant Fransmart.
First founded as a fleet of food truck in 2009 by husband and wife duo Akash and Rana Kapoor and Senior VP of Operations and Co-Founder Amir Hosseini, Curry Up Now currently has five locations around the San Francisco Bay Area with a multi-unit deal in place that will expand the chain throughout California and as far as Atlanta, GA. Last May, Curry Up Now acquired another Bay Area fast-casual Indian chain, Tava Kitchen, with an eye toward growth. An experienced food franchising group is currently looking to bring several Curry Up Now locations throughout San Diego County, Orange County, and Northern California, and are projecting at least one store opening in each market before year’s end.
"We’ve always had an affinity for Curry Up Now’s brand and innovative Indian menu, so when we found out they had begun franchising, we jumped on the opportunity to bring their unique concept and flavors to people throughout California," said Vishal Chopra, one of the franchise group partners for the Curry Up Now California expansion. "We live in a time where ethnic cuisine is moving from the fringe into the mainstream, and people are more willing to try different foods. Guests also want quick and easy options, and Curry Up Now marries both of those key needs into one concept.”
The four franchise group partners are second generation multi-concept operators for various quick-service concepts, including Arby’s and Church’s Chicken among others, and have been in the food franchise business for over 20 years. The group bought rights across Southern California, and have sights set on growing Curry Up Now’s reach to include the entire Golden State. Curry Up Now is partnered with Fransmart, the industry-leading franchise development company behind the explosive growth of brands like Five Guys Burgers and Fries, The Halal Guys, and Qdoba Mexican Grill, as their exclusive franchise development partner to grow the brand.
Curry Up Now takes traditional Indian flavors and presents them in an approachable format for the American palate. Their menu fan-favorites include the iconic Tikka Masala Burrito, Deconstructed Samosa, Sexy Fries, and Naughty Naan, as well as traditional items such as Kathi Rolls, Biryani, and Thali Platters. The menu also has Indian street food offerings like Pani Puri, Samosas, Bhel Puri, and Papdi Chaat. The concept also prides itself on offering all-natural, never frozen, gluten-free curries, chutneys and sauces, cage-free eggs, local and organic produce and dairy products, and protein options that are halal, naturally raised, and free of antibiotics and hormones. Curry Up Now also offers a wide array of vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free items on the menu.
There is no word yet on the exact addresses where Curry Up Now will be sited in San Diego. Franchisees are looking to open up to 10 branches in the county, with potential locations being scouted in Downtown (Gaslamp, Little Italy, East Village), Del Mar, Coronado, La Jolla, Carlsbad, and North Park, but it's too early to say where the first store will land. For more information, visit curryupnow.com.
