Perkins dangles fee break to lure Myrtle Beach franchisees

Perkins Restaurant & Bakery is offering reduced royalty fees to new franchisees who sign in Myrtle Beach through December 2026, pairing the incentive with a city facade grant aimed at downtown and commercial upgrades. The move is designed to tap the Grand Strand’s tourism base and make the resort market more attractive for restaurant development.

Why it matters: - Myrtle Beach’s heavy visitor traffic gives restaurant operators a chance to reach both tourists and local families year-round. - Perkins is using a fee incentive to lower the cost of entry for new franchisees in a market with strong growth potential. - The city’s facade grant can help offset exterior improvement costs for qualifying commercial projects.

What happened: - Perkins Restaurant & Bakery announced an exclusive incentive package for new franchisee signings in Myrtle Beach. - The package includes reduced royalty fees for a limited time. - The incentive is available to qualifying franchisees through December 2026. - The City of Myrtle Beach is offering a Facade Improvement Grant that matches up to $10,000 per project dollar for dollar. - The announcement came as Perkins and city leaders positioned Myrtle Beach as a target for new restaurant growth.

The details: - Perkins says Myrtle Beach brings in more than 18 million visitors a year. - A large share of those visitors are families, which fits Perkins’ breakfast and bakery-focused brand. - Myrtle Beach sits on the Grand Strand, a 60-mile stretch of beaches in northeastern South Carolina. - The area is described as one of the country’s fastest-growing population centers. - Perkins has more than 250 locations in the U.S. and Canada. - The brand has operated for more than 65 years. - Perkins offers flexible build options for franchise partners. - Franchisees receive support on real estate selection, planning, marketing, operations and training. - The City of North Myrtle Beach Façade Grant Program also offers matching funds for exterior improvements to existing commercial buildings. - More information is available in the city’s Facade Grant Program. - More information on Perkins franchising is available through Perkins Restaurant & Bakery.

Between the lines: - Perkins is betting that lower upfront economics will help close deals in a market with strong demand drivers. - The city grant and the franchise incentive point to a broader push to keep the Grand Strand attractive for new commercial investment. - City support also signals that Myrtle Beach and nearby North Myrtle Beach see restaurants as part of the local development playbook.

What's next: - Qualified franchisees can pursue the reduced royalty offer through December 2026. - Prospective operators can evaluate the city grant and Perkins’ franchise program as part of site selection and buildout planning. - Additional restaurant openings would add to Perkins’ footprint in the Southeast if the incentive draws new signings.

The bottom line: - Perkins is cutting fees and teaming with local incentives to make Myrtle Beach a more compelling place to open a restaurant.