Cullinan launches kick-start program for franchise tenants

10/24/2017
People in rural counties like yoga and gourmet burgers, too, but towns like Quincy, Illinois, don’t show up on the population density charts of many hot new franchising companies.

To remedy that situation at its Quincy Mall, Cullinan Properties has launched Franchise Forward, a program aimed at expanding the property’s dining and fitness options beyond Dairy Queen and mall-walking. Potential franchisees are being offered franchise fee reimbursement assistance, 100% construction financing, and low-risk early termination options to come to Quincy.

Cullinan Director of Marketing Anaise Berry says the program is less about signing new tenants than it is creating new experiences for customers, who drive to the mall from a 60-mile radius.

“What we really want to do is attract new concepts to Quincy, some of the names that you don’t see in Central Illinois — Orangetheory, for example,” Berry said.

Cullinan Properties will also provide new franchisees with advice from a retail leasing expert, marketing support, and construction management consulting.

Franchise Forward is a companion program to the Cullinan Kickstart Small Business Program. Sidell’s Bakery & Diner was among the first to participate in the program and launched its store at Quincy Mall in September.

Berry said Cullinan will consider extending Franchise Forward to other propertiesshould the Quincy Mall pilot prove successful.

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