Dessert spot coming to Fort Mill, Rock Hill and Indian Land, will feature peach cobbler
York County is known for peaches. Now another twist on the summer staple is on the way.
The Peach Cobbler Factory plans to open new locations in Rock Hill, Fort Mill and Indian Land. Expansion also will include four Charlotte sites and another in Columbia.
Greg George, partner with the company founded in 2013 in Nashville, said the company has plans for 70 new locations in 13 states in only its first six months of franchising. Stores offer several desserts, along with catering and delivery.
“We serve 12 flavors of cobbler,” George said. “One cinnamon roll done three ways.”
Stores also have five flavors of banana pudding, a sweet peachy tea and coffee. Stores typically are open afternoons and evenings, sometimes later in the summer. Attorney and Rock Hill native Freda Wallace is the franchisee for the coming Rock Hill, Fort Mill, Indian Land and Columbia locations.
Locations haven’t been determined. Wallace said it’s likely two, maybe even three, of the area sites will open this year. She saw a fit in the Rock Hill region where there are plenty of ice cream and donut shops, but not cobbler.
”I’m a huge peach cobbler fan,” Wallace said. “I knew it would be a product that would sell, and it’s something different.”
Typical stores are 1,000 to 1,500 square feet, with up to 10 employees. Several stores in neighboring communities will work, Wallace said, due to area growth in recent years. She has franchise experience from another company that serves both the Rock Hill and Indian Land areas, she said.
”The market is there in both cities,” Wallace said.
Wallace also sees opportunities in communities well-known for their love of peaches. Fort Mill has The Peach Stand and Springs Farms with fresh peaches each summer. Western York County has Black’s Peaches, Bush-N-Vine and other spots. Area farmers markets are common each summer. York County even neighbors Cherokee County, known for its landmark water tower in the shape of a peach.
Now, Wallace believes the area is ready for another favorite peach treat.
“I’m ready to bring the peach cobbler,” she said. “People are anticipating it and they’re excited about it, and so am I.”
