One year after franchising, the Milkshake Factory has 100 franchisees

In 1914 Greek immigrants Carlie and Orania Sarandou opened a chocolate shop and soda fountain. Four generations later, their great-granddaughter Dana Edwards Manatos turned that legacy into the Milkshake Factory — and now there’s over a hundred of them.

“Hard work and serving premium products were engrained in us since we were born,” Milkshake Factory CEO Manatos said in a prepared statement. “All four generations have worked together, and because of what my great-grandmother taught us through the generations, Milkshake Factory can open the door for hundreds of small business owners across the country.”

The chain is managed by the overall Edwards family — which in addition to Manatos includes Chris and Mark Edwards. Last year the family was managing 11 locations in the Pittsburgh area when they announced a partnership with Franworth, an Ann Arbor, Michigan-based firm that helps scale franchises. In slightly over a year, the company has reached agreements with 100 franchisees in 15 different states.

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