Roll On In, a newly franchised concept featuring sushi bowls and burritos, is coming to 3224 N. College Road, the former home of Flaming Amy’s Bowl in North Chase.

Founders John Kallenburger and Michael McCarthy run four corporately owned stores in the Cincinnati metro-area, and have partnered with Harry Papanikolaou to open their first franchise location in Wilmington.

Papanikolaou has worked with corporate chains such as McDonald’s and Burger King for more than 20 years and spent the past year and a half working with Greg George of Emerging Franchises to research franchise opportunities.

When George came to him with Roll On In, it wasn’t long before he was sold on the concept, which features create-your-own sushi bowls with a salad, rice or noodle base, and burritos wrapped in seaweed or a soy wrap.

"My wife and I went to Cincinnati and visited the stores and tasted the food,” Papanikolaou said. “Everything just works so well together and we said, 'This is it.'"

Papanikolaou settled on the North Chase location because the layout of the former Flaming Amy’s Bowl required minimal renovations, allowing him to open both quickly and without significant expense.

His franchise agreement currently allows him to open additional locations in New Hanover County, and he is hopeful that he may be able to expand into Brunswick and Pender counties as well.

"From the response we’ve already been getting on Facebook, the expansion to other areas of Wilmington may happen sooner than later," Papanikolaou said.

“I think Harry and his family will do really well in Wilmington,” John Kallenburger said. "These restaurants seem to take on a life of their own and quickly gain a cult following."

Roll On In is expected to open in late February.

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