Lauryn Taylor was exploring options in entrepreneurship and franchising but was struggling to find what she was looking for, deterred by strict franchising rules and a lack of connection with the brands. However, when she came across Palm Berries, a North Carolina-based health-focused franchise still in the stages of building its brand, she was intrigued.
“I really liked the sense of family they had, and that feeling of being part of a small business that isn’t so cookie-cutter or corporate,” Taylor told What Now Charlotte.
Taylor went to school with members of the family who launched the brand, so she decided to get in touch. Now, she is on her way to opening her first franchise location in a 1,390-square-foot space at 1111 Metropolitan Avenue, Suite 150. It will be the eleventh location for the brand, joining nine in North Carolina and one in Virginia.
The space will offer a “cozy, bright and aesthetically pleasing” design, Taylor said. Customers can expect to see comfortable chairs, natural elements like a mossy green ceiling, a fireplace and a colorful hand-painted mural.
The menu will feature items like acai bowls and smoothies, with build-your-own-bowl options. Taylor said that customers can also expect to see plenty of specials that frequently will bring fresh tastes to the menu.
Taylor is looking forward to helping Palm Berries grow and likes the flexibility that comes with franchising with a smaller business, where she will be able to make her space her own and bring new ideas to the table. She hopes to keep the family-run atmosphere at the Charlotte location, offering a small-business feel that will be approachable to customers.
“I’m really excited to build a community — a space where people from all walks of life can come together and feel safe and welcome,” Taylor said. “I’m also passionate about helping others embrace a more health-conscious lifestyle. It changed my life, so being able to offer a place where people can enjoy healthy food means a lot to me.”
She is targeting an opening at the end of September or early October for the forthcoming location. Eventually, she hopes to open three locations and is eyeing some different territories for expansion, though further locations have not been selected at this time.
