Longstanding hands-on real estate model introduces the “Real Estate Fast Track” program, adding site prequalification, helping current and prospective franchisees sign leases faster

Denver, CO  (RestaurantNews.com)  Teriyaki Madness (TMAD), the fast casual Seattle-style teriyaki concept known for customizable, protein-packed bowls piled high with fresh ingredients, bold flavors and unapologetically generous portions, has brought on Jake Lowell as Franchise Development Real Estate Manager. The newly created role builds on the brand’s “Real Estate Fast Track” program, a real estate model TMAD has leaned into for years, one that walks franchisees through every step of finding a location for their Teriyaki Shop, and adds a new gear: prequalifying sites for both current and prospective owners so they can lock in the right location and sign a lease faster than ever.

Where many franchisors leave franchisees to navigate commercial real estate on their own, TMAD decided long ago that stranding franchisees during one of the most important parts of the process was no way to grow a restaurant brand. For years, Teriyaki Madness has done the opposite – embedding real estate support the very moment the ink dries. Under the direction of Beth Steeler, the authority behind the Real Estate Fast Track program at Teriyaki Madness for over three years, the brand works alongside franchisees through site selection, negotiations, leasing, and connecting every new owner with national broker Bialow Real Estate the moment an agreement is inked.

From there, TMAD overlays serious sales and customer analytics through Sitewise Analytics, a tool that pinpoints locations with the strongest potential so operators are choosing sites on data, not a hunch and a hope. That hands-on approach is why TMAD carries franchisees from a signed agreement to an open restaurant in roughly 18 months, a pace that helped the brand lock in 50 signed leases in 2025 before blowing past the midpoint of 2026 with 31 leases already on the board and zero interest in tapping the brakes.

“Every franchisee is betting on themselves the day they sign with us, and we want to ensure they never feel like they’re wandering the real estate wilderness alone,” Steeler said. “By staying involved from the very first conversation to the lease signature, we help franchisees understand what makes a location work. Bringing Jake onboard lets us do more of that, even earlier, turning a nerve-racking search into a confident decision that sets operators up to open strong and keep growing.”

Lowell’s job is to take that proven model and push it further upstream. By spearheading the collaboration between the real estate and franchise development teams, he stays embedded in the development process early on, so the moment a current or prospective franchisee has eyes on a trade area, he can begin prequalifying sites. For prospective franchisees, that means walking in with real options already on the table. For current operators looking to grow, it means a faster path to their next location. Either way, it carves weeks off a timeline that trips up many brands.

Prequalifying sites is only part of the play. Lowell is also teaming up with the development team to identify the markets where Teriyaki Madness already has strong brand awareness and customer demand, turning that momentum into new opportunities – whether recruiting new franchisees or helping existing operators expand their footprint in markets where the brand is already positioned for success.

“The whole idea is to stay ahead by not sitting still. The moment we know where an operator wants to build, we can already begin evaluating sites on their behalf,” Lowell said. “That head start is the difference between a restaurant that opens this year and one that opens someday. I didn’t sign on to help Teriyaki Madness keep pace. I’m here to build a real estate engine that gives our franchisees every possible advantage and leaves the competition wondering how on earth we got so far ahead.”

For more information about franchise opportunities with Teriyaki Madness, visit franchise.TeriyakiMadness.com.

About Teriyaki Madness

Teriyaki Madness (TMAD for short) is a fast casual Seattle-style Asian concept founded in 2003. Known for its crazy delicious teriyaki bowls, TMAD offers a customizable, protein-packed menu featuring marinated, grilled chicken, steak, salmon, tofu, and fresh veggies over rice or yakisoba noodles, complemented by signature sauces and sides like eggrolls and edamame. This isn’t your “average teriyaki” – it’s huge bowls of bold, healthy (or not – we don’t judge), over-the-top awesomeness.

As one of the fastest-growing concepts in the fast casual space, Teriyaki Madness has earned numerous industry accolades and national recognition for its innovation, franchise growth and operational excellence. The brand has been consistently recognized on Fast Casual‘s prestigious Movers & Shakers list and was honored by Food On Demand with its Outstanding Operator Award. TMAD has also been featured on Franchise Times’ Top 400 list of the largest franchise systems in the U.S. and earned Franchise Times’ coveted Zor Award as a “Top Brand to Buy.” In addition, the brand’s leadership has been recognized by QSR Magazine’s Young Leaders to Watch for driving innovation and growth within the restaurant industry.

With over 200 shops across 41 states, the brand is rapidly expanding nationwide. Teriyaki Madness is actively seeking dedicated franchise operators of all backgrounds to bring fresh, delicious teriyaki bowls to their neighborhoods. For more information on franchise opportunities, visit franchise.TeriyakiMadness.com. To explore the menu and learn more, visit TeriyakiMadness.com or follow Teriyaki Madness on Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn.

Contact:
Betsy DeMik
Champion
972-930-9933
bdemik@championmgt.com

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