In a major win for breakfast lovers and for franchise expansion strategy, Perkins Griddle & Go is making a serious comeback in Ocean County, New Jersey.
Led by the dynamic mother-son franchisee duo, Lisa Dalton and Anthony Degrande, the brand just announced plans for six new locations in the region, building on a previous 10-unit agreement in neighboring Monmouth County.
This deal now represents the largest development agreement in Perkins’ U.S. history and it speaks volumes about the direction of the brand and the confidence its franchisees have in the fast-casual model.
What we’re seeing with Perkins Griddle & Go isn’t just about breakfast—it’s about brand revitalization, strategic site selection, and local momentum.
Dalton and Degrande’s decision to double down on their investment before opening their first store says a lot about the support they’ve received and the strength of the Perkins brand refresh.
“Franchisee confidence before opening day signals more than optimism—it signals system-wide trust.”
For franchise marketers, this serves as a reminder of how localized buzz and future-proofing play into market entry. Their first location, set to open at Oceanport’s Riverwalk Center, strategically positions them near the forthcoming $1B Netflix Studios campus—a clear play to capture early foot traffic and anchor community engagement.
Opening near high-traffic destinations like Netflix Studios creates organic visibility and brand curiosity, especially for newer or reimagined concepts.
When franchisees expand before opening day one, it reflects a powerful narrative of brand trust and system-wide alignment.
Perkins’ growing footprint in Ocean and Monmouth Counties helps marketers build cumulative brand equity across local markets rather than one-off locations.
Perkins Griddle & Go isn’t just flipping pancakes—it’s flipping the script on what comeback brands can do when powered by the right franchisees, the right locations, and a fresh take on fast-casual dining.
For marketers in the franchise world, this is a textbook case of how regional strategy, smart timing, and development-driven storytelling can reignite a legacy brand.