Multi-unit franchisee Raj Punwani has signed a franchisee agreement with Playa Bowls for ten additional units in Manhattan.
What Now NY connected with Raj Punwani and his daughter Misha Punwani to learn more about the family’s expansion plans in the city.
“Playa Bowls is a growing brand, and I expect it to keep on that trajectory for the foreseeable future,” said Raj Punwani. “Right now is the perfect opportunity to be a part of it. I love the brand and the products, so signing on for more locations was a no-brainer.”
According to the Playa Bowls website, the franchise was founded by Jersey Shore natives Robert Giuliani and Abby Taylor. They wanted to share their love of açaí, pitaya, and coconut bowls with the public. The brand currently has over 200 locations.
Currently, Punwani owns 15 open Playa Bowls, 12 of which are in New York City. There are a total of 35 open Playa Bowls in New York state.
The Punwanis are on the hunt for locations for their 10 units, although they have a shortlist of neighborhoods they are exploring with the help of a broker.
In a recent press release, Playa Bowls shared a round-up of the brand’s 14 new multi-unit signed franchise agreements in the first quarter. The Punwanis’ signed agreement is for the greatest number of locations out of all new agreements. While the family has worked with Playa Bowls for years, more first-time franchisees with the brand seem to be signing multi-unit agreements including in markets like Chicago.
“We’re pleased to welcome more Playa Bowls franchisees into our system to assist in the nationwide development of our brand,” said Chief Development Officer Jayson Tipp in the press release.
Punwani anticipates a few of the family’s newest Playa Bowls locations will be open before the end of the year.
