American fast casual restaurant brand Protein Bar & Kitchen plans to open 100 new locations over the next five years as part of the expansion plan.  

The company will open locations through a new franchise model, which will have a smaller footprint.

The new model will also facilitate dine-in, carry-out, delivery, mobile app + internet ordering, and catering, the restaurant brand said.

Protein Bar & Kitchen president and  CEO Jeff Drake said: “After taking the past few years to re-think and perfect our franchise model and our brand post-pandemic, it's a huge milestone for us to officially re-announce franchising.

‘It's all come together, with customer loyalty rates and AUVs proving the adjustments to the menu, modernized and brightened décor and ordering convenience platforms are all working.”

The fast-casual restaurant brand’s offerings include protein shakes, smoothies, breakfast scrambles, high-protein salads, wraps, and bowls customisable for all diets to new markets outside of Chicago.

Initially, Protein Bar & Kitchen will be focusing on Illinois and neighbouring states with future growth planned for the South-eastern region.

Drake added: “Our inclusive positioning focuses on the idea that everyone wants 'to be a little better' in some way, and we can help by offering options to accommodate dietary restrictions and diet choices, including gluten-free, vegan, vegetarian, keto-friendly, low-carb, high-carb, or paleo-friendly.

“There's something for 'every BODY.' For franchisees, that type of inclusivity opens the doors to a wider variety of customers and eliminates a need for niche marketing.”

Protein Bar & Kitchen also has a presence in non-traditional venues such as hospitals, campuses, and airports.

It recently also signed licensing agreements to open venues  at O'Hare, La Guardia and Salt Lake City airports.