Graze Craze is now open in Alpharetta, Georgia, bringing handcrafted charcuterie boards and grazing boxes to north metro Atlanta. The opening is also a clear example of how we help new shops get noticed from the start.
Opening the doors is only the first step. A new shop also has to earn attention in its community, and quickly. That is why we plan every launch around visibility. For Alpharetta, that plan put the shop in front of more than 7.7 million people in its first weeks.
Why Launch Visibility Matters
The first weeks set the tone for a new shop. Early awareness drives first orders, and first orders build the repeat customers and event business that keep a location busy. Visibility built at launch also keeps working afterward. News coverage, online articles and social content continue to show up when people search for charcuterie and catering nearby.
Owners have plenty to manage in the weeks before opening, from hiring and training to getting the shop ready. Our team handles the outreach, so the owner can focus on running their new business.
Our Grand Opening Visibility Approach
Each launch combines several channels, all aimed at the people who live, work and host events near the new shop. Here is what each one looked like in Alpharetta.
1. Mark the opening with the community
A ribbon cutting gives a new shop an official welcome and a reason for local leaders to visit. In Alpharetta, we coordinated the ceremony with the Alpharetta Chamber of Commerce, built the run of show and invited local dignitaries. The Chamber shared the event on its calendar and social accounts, adding more than 8,100 impressions.
2. Tell the story to local media
We write an opening announcement and pitch it to the news outlets local residents already follow. In Alpharetta, that outreach earned 9 media placements and more than 7.6 million impressions. Coverage included a TV segment on ATL Live, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution and the Alpharetta-Roswell Herald. The outreach also opened the door to future coverage.
3. Put the shop in front of local food fans
People trust recommendations from local creators they already follow. We identify and coordinate visits with food creators who have engaged, nearby audiences. For Alpharetta, a local food creator enjoyed a charcuterie tasting and shared photos of her board and the new shop on Instagram and Facebook, generating more than 82,400 impressions.
4. Build relationships that lead to catering
Much of a Graze Craze shop’s opportunity comes from events, so we introduce new owners to the people who plan them. In Alpharetta, we arranged tastings with a local wedding coordinator and a new event venue. The coordinator took a wine pairing board to one of her events and shared the board and the new shop with her social media followers. Introductions like these can lead to catering orders and ongoing local exposure.
5. Measure and report the results
After launch, we recap the placements, impressions and highlights so the owner can see exactly what the opening achieved. Here is what the Alpharetta launch delivered.
What This Means for Graze Craze Owners
When you open a Graze Craze, you are not left to figure out your launch alone. You have a team focused on getting your shop discovered, with:
- A visibility plan for your opening. Outreach built around your market and the people who live and work nearby.
- A ribbon cutting. An opening event coordinated with your local business community.
- Media coverage. A professionally written announcement pitched to local and regional outlets.
- Local creator partnerships. Introductions to food creators with engaged, local followings.
- Community connections. Outreach to event planners and venues that can lead to catering and repeat business.
- Clear reporting. A recap of what your launch achieved.
The goal is simple: help your shop get discovered quickly, so your first weeks build momentum for the months ahead.
Visit Us in Alpharetta, or Open Your Own
In the Alpharetta area? Stop by Graze Craze and pick up a board for your next gathering. Thinking about owning your own shop? Learn more about the Graze Craze franchise opportunity and the support that comes with it.
