FRANKLIN (Somerset) – Unity Rd., the first national cannabis dispensary franchise in the United States, will open its first New Jersey recreational marijuana shop in the township in the first half of 2023.The shop site will be located in a strip mall at 441 Elizabeth Ave.
Dishen Patel, owner of the shop, has received approval from both the state and the township, to open the business.
Patel has spent the past decade in private equity investing in consumer-driven brands, including several franchise restaurants.
“I was seeking next-generation business opportunities in hypergrowth industries in which I had a passion,” Patel said in a press release, recognizing that the $28 billion U.S. cannabis market is on track to reach $46 billion by 2026. “I know how to run a retail business, but the cannabis space is layered with complexities. I needed a direct route to alleviate barriers to entry and set myself up for success, while confidently making decisions.”
Unity Rd. has a licensing agreement with Patel. The company will provide with consulting services across and various business matters, including real estate, licensing, compliance, operations, product procurement and marketing.
“With the Unity Rd. team guiding me at every step, I am able to yield their expertise to operate and grow my future dispensary, while keeping my attention focused on what matters most – providing my neighbors with a trusted local cannabis source they can rely on in the New Jersey…
