Southern Hospitality: Harlem Shake^® Announces 1st Franchise Opening in South Carolina

New York, NY– The award-winning and critically acclaimed Harlem Shake® welcomes its first location to the South – Columbia, SC, aka “Soda City”, owned by new South Carolina resident Dietrich Williams. 

Dietrich Williams is the fourth franchisee of the fast-casual restaurant group, a retired New York City public servant with 30 years of service and a native New Yorker born and raised in Brooklyn, NY. Williams became a fan of the restaurant over the years and regularly visited with his family. Upon his retirement to Columbia, SC, Dietrich learned about Harlem Shake® franchising nationwide through social media and said, “This is my new retirement plan!” 

“South Carolina is the first place I briefly lived and worked in when I first came to the United States. I have dear memories of South Carolina, and I am grateful for Dietrich’s confidence, and looking forward to working with him to bring Harlem Shake® to the South,” says Jelena Pasic, Founder & CEO, Harlem Shake®.

Harlem Shake® has other franchise locations opening in 2026:  

• Harlem Shake®, Greenpoint – 698 Manhattan Avenue (at Norman Avenue), Brooklyn, NY 11222 
• Harlem Shake®, Philadelphia – 1330 Walnut Street, Philadelphia, PA 19103 
• NYC tri-state area (soon to be announced third location) 

Dietrich and the Harlem Shake® team are currently scouting for the right location to open in Columbia, SC. 

For more information about Harlem Shake® restaurant group and company-owned locations, visit: www.harlemshake.com  and follow at: @harlemshakenyc on Facebook, Instagram & TikTok   

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