Rise biscuits to open 5 new locations

Rise Biscuits & Donuts offers more than your typical buttered biscuit, and this popular chain will soon be coming to Carrboro.

Thecasual restaurant is projected to open in November in the 300 East Main Street complex, home to Cat’s Cradle and the ArtsCenter.

The franchise, founded by Tom Ferguson, originated in Durham in 2012. Rise plans to open a total of five new locations in the Triangle by 2016. On Saturday, a new location will open in Park West Village in Morrisville.

Rise offers features breakfast and lunch options every day from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. It will be located on the western side of the shopping center, one door down from Fleet Feet Sports.

The restaurant serves an assortment of handmade biscuits, yeast doughnuts and cake doughnuts. 

Co-owners Rick Robinson and Ken Priest decided to invest in the franchise because it encompasses both the quality of fine dining and the quickness of fast food. Robinson says that the success of the franchise depends on the system behind making the products.

“It’s about how not to cut corners, but how to make things efficient,” Robinson said.

Robinson, a Chapel Hill native, had his first job at Ye Olde Waffle Shoppe.

He said he used to own a restaurant on Franklin Street called Mondo Bistro from 1993 to 1997. 

Robinson said that because he is from the area, he knows many of the farmers from the Carrboro Farmers’ Market and will be getting local produce from them.

Rise provides an everyday menu for guests who know what they like and daily specials for guests who want to try something new.

Some of the biscuit options available are “Fried Egg & Rabbit Stew,” “Creamy Mac & Cheese” and “Pig in a Blanket.” Patrons Customers can also order custom-made biscuits. 

Patti Benedict, leasing manager and partner with Main Street Properties, said her company is they’re always looking for a unique concept.

“It’s a superbly done, unique product,” Benedict said. “It’s fitting for what we have here. It’s the kind of place to visit multiple times per week.”

Alanna Dai, a junior biology major, said she can see herself being a frequent guest at Rise because she now has a car on campus.

“There’s times that I do want to sit down and eat something, but not something expensive,” Dai said. “Whenever I go out to eat, I worry about tipping. It’s nice to be able to go somewhere to eat that’s not on Franklin Street.”

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