NASSAU, BAHAMAS — A Bahamian restaurant chain is looking to launch as many as 10-12 franchise outlets across The Bahamas, with plans to expand into the US and Canadian markets as well.
Chef Kevin Culmer, founder of Tropical Gyros, in an interview with Eyewitness News following the opening of the restaurant’s first franchise location in the Prince Charles Shopping Centre said: “I am truly humbled. I always wondered why successful Bahamian restaurants didn’t franchise. To see it come to fruition today really humbled me and showed me what determination and hard work can do. It hasn’t been easy, and there will always be bumps in the road, but with perseverance and belief in your vision, you can be successful. I look at McDonald’s, Kentucky Fried Chicken, Pizza Hut, etc., and I say to myself, what separates them from any one of us? I believe we have a phenomenal product, and we are looking to expand the brand not just across the country but internationally. The goal is to expand through franchising and give Bahamian entrepreneurs the opportunity to become owners in this sphere,” said Chef Culmer. Kimberly Marshall has become be the restaurant’s first franchisee, bringing ten years of experience in the food industry.
Chef Culmer further explained: “I believe I have developed a scalable business. It’s been nine years since I launched Tropical Gyros at Worlds Relays in 2015. I always planned to put a corporate location in Carmichael, but the costs to build out were more than we anticipated. We are in discussions, and the board will guide me on whether to open a franchise outlet in Carmichael or another location for ourselves.”
Regarding expansion plans, Chef Culmer mentioned that the restaurant chain could potentially have six locations on New Providence and an additional restaurant on Grand Bahama, following the launch of the first outlet there in April.
“We are considering six possible locations on New Providence and one more on Grand Bahama, in addition to the three already established, before venturing into the Out Islands like Abaco, Eleuthera, and Exuma. We want to cover key areas without over-saturating the market, ensuring accessibility for our customers. Ultimately, we’re looking at a maximum of 10-12 restaurants throughout the Bahamas. We also have seen interest expressed in Turks and Caicos. We’re also eyeing expansion into the US and Canada,” he concluded.
