Fast-growing acai and smoothie bowl franchise Baya Bar is set to open its 12th New York location at the base of the new condo at the corner of Fifth Avenue in Greenwood Heights, Brooklyn.
Founded in 2016 by former Brooklyn-born finance executive Bill Loesch, Baya Bar has big plans for national expansion.
After a successful start in New Jersey, Louisiana, and New York, Loesch has decided that acai and smoothie bowl restaurant franchise opportunities can move the concept national. “My vision is to see this brand across the nation, to help people be aware of what they are putting in their bodies,” he said. “You want to be transparent with what’s in your food. The goal is to push it toward a lifestyle brand.”
The other benefit to creating a franchise system is helping others create their own businesses, Loesch said. “I believe in this very strongly. I want to give this opportunity to other entrepreneurs. There are plenty of people struggling, people who don’t love the 9 to 5. I want to help other hardworking people build their own business. They may not know how to do it, but they can follow our process. We can change lives.”
William Tan, Baya Bar franchisee with business partner Nicholas Liu, will be opening the Greenwood Heights store. Tan commented, “The location at the base of 233 Eighteenth was simply perfect for our first franchise. We look forward to opening this summer.”
Developed by Eagle Development Corp. 233 Eighteenth is a six-story building with 20 one-, two-, and three-bedroom condos. Sales are being led by The Aguayo Team at Brown Harris Stevens Development Marketing (BHSDM) and 65 percent of the units are already under contract.
Baya Bar has signed a long-term lease for a 1,500 s/f retail space on the ground floor. “Baya Bar will be a welcome addition to the neighborhood, and we expect that many of our buyers, who will be moving in later this year, will enjoy its offerings along with the rest of the community,” said Ioannis Glyptis, principal, Eagle Development Corp.
