Naples Flatbread and Wine Bar founder Ralph Desiano has announced plans to take the concept nationwide by offering franchise opportunities. Desiano opened the first location in Naples, Florida, in 2009, following that up with a restaurant in Estero, Florida, later that year and a third location in Naples in 2012. He also opened a pair of restaurants in Tulsa, Okla., in 2012 and 2013 with his partner, Tulsa-based entrepreneur Jim Wilburn.
Naples Flatbread is seeking passionate, experienced business professionals, preferably seasoned restaurant operators, to partner with one of the original Flatbread leaders. Franchisee candidates should have a minimum net worth of $500,000 and liquid assets of at least $150,000 per restaurant. Depending on the real estate site selected, a renovated space could cost a franchisee about $250,000 while a new build could cost around $800,000.
Desiano says his goal is to keep things simple by equipping his kitchen with state-of-the-art cooking equipment to lock in great flavor combinations without the use of fryers, sauté, charbroilers or any grease-producing equipment. This means cleaner, less expensive and more efficient operations with no hood or ansul systems.
Naples Flatbread specializes in Neapolitan pizza and gourmet flatbreads cooked in a fiery hearth oven. The menu includes a wide assortment of flatbread toppings, hearth-baked pasta dishes, fire roasted wings, Panini sandwiches on artisan bread, fresh seasonal salads, osso buco, boneless short ribs, roasted salmon, a variety of desserts and more. The dishes are accompanied by a fine selection of wine with over 30 varieties by the glass, a great libations menu and a unique variety of beers selected to complement the food offerings. A convenient to-go menu is available, as well as catering services for weddings, meetings, parties, fundraisers and more.
A premium convenience flex-casual restaurant that seamlessly provides authentic, innovative food in a sophisticated environment while remaining affordable, the restaurant has been recognized as #34 in the Top 100 Restaurant Growth Companies nationwide, a Florida’s Best Restaurant by Urbanspoon, and chosen as the winner of the Mercato International Food Festival and Tulsa’s Iron Gate’s Cooking for a Cause Gala.
To find out more about franchising opportunities, visit NaplesFlatbread.com.