Freshii has Jays fever. The quick-service restaurant is on the hunt for a Blue Jays super fan to open a Freshii store near the Rogers Centre, and if the team wins the World Series, that fan could become a franchisee free of charge.
The company is offering to waive its $30,000 franchisee fee for the contest winner, in the event the Blue Jays take home baseball’s biggest title. The winner would still have to pay for the restaurant’s buildout, which typically costs around $250,000. The Toronto Blue Jays are fighting to stay alive in the American League Champion Series against the Cleveland Indians. Cleveland is leading 3-1 in the best-of-seven series, with Game 5 set for Wednesday night at Rogers Centre.
Freshii chief operating officer Adam Corrin said the company had been eying the area around the Rogers Centre as a potential neighbourhood for a new Freshii location, and when the Jays started progressing in the World Series, Freshii decided to launch the contest as a way to capitalize on Jays mania.
While Freshii is looking for a lifelong Jays fan for the contest, Corrin said cultural fit and leadership skills are also important for the winner.
The PR stunt comes as Freshii is going through a massive growth period. According to Corrin, Freshii plans to double its store count in 2017. The company currently has 40 locations in Toronto, where it’s looking to open its Jays-adjacent store. And, according to its website, there are Freshii locations in more than 75 cities and 15 countries.
Freshii is using social media, PR and word of mouth to promote the contest. The company partnered with its PR agency, Energize World PR, on the initiative. The brand is not an official sponsor of the team.
franchiseeinAs for the Jays chances of winning it all this year and making the prize a reality, Corrin said the company hoped it could welcome a new franchisee to the family. “We’re rooting for the home team,” he said.
