Here’s a little-known fact about black-owned businesses: There’s a lot of them, and they’re growing. Between 2007 and 2012, black-owned businesses soared by almost 35 percent, resulting in about 2.6 million black-owned businesses nationwide.
The statistics on black-owned franchises are not as clear. But from barbershops to restaurants, it’s clear that black business is booming and franchising is often a result of business success. Below are five booming black-owned businesses that have prospered, franchised, and continue to grow.
Sip and Savor (Chicago, IL) – With three locations in the Chicagoland area, Sip and Savor is on the verge of becoming the city’s premiere black-owned coffee establishment. Dubbed the “Black Starbucks” by blogger Starex Smith, these shops have already earned points for ambience, customer service, and their delicious roasts. http://www.sipandsavorchicago.com/locations
Just Turkey Restaurant (Chicago, Evanston, Atlanta) – Originating on the South Side of Chicago, Just Turkey is a fast-growing franchise that focuses on lean, turkey-centric meals made “with love,” according to co-owner Greg Morton. Morton, along with his brother and fellow co-founder, Brian, opened the chain in 2010, providing their signature “turkey tips,” turkey burgers, turkey tacos, and more. http://www.originaljustturkey.com/Ourstory.html
Hammer and Nails (Los Angeles, CA) – When screenwriter Mike Elliot opened his first male salon in 2013, even he was stunned by its quick success. Within the first seven months, Elliot had made $150,000 in profit, prompting him to quickly expand. Despite being turned down a partnership on the CNBC hit Shark Tank, Elliot nevertheless raised the funds to open up-and-coming locations in San Francisco, Santa Fe, Plano (TX), and others. http://www.hammerandnails-salon.com/
Lexus (Huntsville, Alabama) – When you think of car-dealerships, chances are they’re owned by men. But in 1988 Ellenae Fairhurst made history by becoming the first black woman to own a luxury car dealership. Fairhurst continues to own and operate that same Lexus dealership nearly thirty years later, in addition to a secondary Infinity dealership. http://www.lexusofhuntsville.com/
Go-Go Party Bus (Atlanta, GA) – Whatever reason you might need a huge party bus, Lenesia Cooper has you covered. With a fleet of six “party buses” – equipped with televisions, karaoke machines, and a wet bar – that accommodate up to thirty people, Cooper launched her party bus business in 2009 to immediate success. In the wake of Cooper’s success, she has opened a new location in Charlotte, NC, and is welcoming more entrepreneurs to franchise in other locations as well. http://www.gogopartybus.com/about/
