Grand opening press release template
A grand opening release tells neighbors what is opening, where and when, and why they should stop by. Local news readers want the address and the date before anything else.
Use it for a new store, a restaurant, an office, a clinic or a second location.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE [Business] opens [new location / first store] in [neighborhood or city] [One line on what customers will find there] [City], [State], [Month Day, Year]: [Business] will open its [new / first] [store / restaurant / office] at [full address] on [day, date]. [One sentence on what the business does.] [What is new for customers: products, services, menu, size of the space, or anything you can only find here.] [Opening day. Times, any offer or event, and who is invited.] [Jobs created, if the number is real, and local partners who helped.] "[Why this place and why now]," said [Full name], [Job title] at [Business]. "[What you want neighbors to know.]" [Regular opening hours, parking, and how to book or order.] About [Business] [Business] [what you do] in [area]. Founded in [year], it now has [number] locations. Learn more at [web address]. Media contact [Name] [Email address] [Phone number] ###
See real press release examples
What to put in each part
- Headline
- Business name, "opens", and the neighborhood or city.
- Lead paragraph
- The full street address and the opening date.
- What is new
- What people will find there. Be specific: dishes, services, the size of the space.
- Opening day
- Times and any offer or event. Make it easy to come.
- Hours and directions
- Regular hours, parking and how to book or order.
Headline ideas
Pick the one closest to your news and fill in the brackets.
- [Business] opens [new location] in [neighborhood]
- [Business] opens its first [store / restaurant / office] in [city] on [date]
- [Business] adds second location at [street], [city]
- [Business] celebrates grand opening in [city] with [offer or event]
Common mistakes
- Leaving out the street address.
- An opening date that may still change.
- An offer with fine print the release does not explain.
- Writing about the owner's journey before saying what is opening.
- No photo of the place.
Where to share it
- Publish it on your website and update your address and hours on your maps listing the same day.
- Send it to local newspapers, neighborhood newsletters and community groups one to two weeks before opening day.
- Invite neighbors, local business groups and nearby businesses. A small opening event gives people a reason to come on day one.
Questions
When should I send a grand opening release?
One to two weeks before opening day, and again on the day if you have news from it.
Should I include opening offers?
Yes, if they are real and simple. Say how long the offer lasts.
Can I use it for a second location?
Yes. Say how many locations you now have and what is different about this one.
What photo should I add?
The storefront or the inside of the space, in daylight.
More templates
The press release template page explains the format part by part, with a full sample. Other templates: