Grand opening announcements are a great opportunity to generate publicity and positively position your company in the eyes of your customers, investors and employees. We recommend you take each once-in-a-location’s-lifetime opportunity to issue a grand opening press release.
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What Is a Grand Opening Press Release?
A grand opening press release is an official announcement distributed to media outlets and the public to promote the opening of a new business location or facility. It generates publicity, attracts potential customers, and establishes media relationships by providing journalists with newsworthy details about the opening event, business offerings, and unique value proposition.
Grand opening press releases typically include:
- Opening date, time, and location
- Details about special promotions or activities
- Information about products or services offered
- Quotes from business owners or executives
- Background information about the company
These announcements differ from media advisories, which simply invite journalists to cover an event. A press release provides complete, publishable information that media outlets can use to create stories about your business opening.
14 Grand Opening Announcement Press Release Examples
And, to make things even easier, here are 14 different press releases written and distributed by real companies you can use to model yours after.
Grand opening announcement press release example
Restaurant grand opening example #2
Grand Opening Program Example #3
Press release example #4: Cold storage facility grand opening announcement
Press release example #5: Retail store chain announces new store grand opening
Press release example #6: New outlet mall grand opening announcement
Press release example #7: Chain restaurant grand opening announcement
Press release example #8: Museum grand opening
Press release example #9: Manufacturing facility grand opening
Press release example #10: New entertainment center grand opening
Press release example #11: Medical center grand opening
Press release example #12: Luxury apartment complex grand opening
Press release example #13: Military discounts offered at grand opening of retail store
Press release example #14: Grand opening of new office in the Netherlands allowing for European expansion
How to Write a Grand Opening Press Release – A Step-by-Step Guide
Follow these steps to create an effective press release announcing your grand opening:
Craft a Compelling Headline
Write a clear, attention-grabbing headline that includes your business name and the fact that it’s opening. Example: “Main Street Bakery to Open Downtown Location This Spring” or “Tech Startup LaunchPad Opens Doors to Austin Entrepreneurs.”
Write the Dateline and Lead Paragraph
Start with your city and date, then immediately answer the key questions: Who is opening? What type of business? Where is it located? When is the opening? Why should people care? Pack the most important information into the first 2-3 sentences.
Add Supporting Details
In the second and third paragraphs, provide context about your business. Include what products or services you offer, what makes your business unique, and any special opening day events or promotions. Mention if you’re filling a community need or bringing something new to the area.
Include a Quote
Add a quote from the owner, CEO, or another key figure. This humanizes your announcement and adds authenticity. The quote should convey enthusiasm and vision, such as: “We’re thrilled to bring fresh, artisan bread to the neighborhood and become a gathering place for our community.“
Provide Practical Information
List essential details readers will need: complete address, hours of operation, phone number, website, and social media handles. If you’re hosting a ribbon-cutting ceremony or special opening event, include the date, time, and any registration requirements.
Add a Boilerplate
End with a brief boilerplate “About” section that describes your company in 2-4 sentences. This should explain your mission, background, and what you do. It’s the template language you’ll use in all press releases.
Include Contact Information
Finish with media contact details: name, phone, and email of the person journalists can reach for more information or interview requests.
Format Properly
Use standard press release formatting: use a readable font, and center “###” at the bottom to indicate the end. Keep the entire release to one page if possible, or no more than two.
Time Your Release
Send your press release 2-4 weeks before your opening date. This gives media outlets time to plan coverage and the public time to mark their calendars.
Distribute Strategically
Email your release to local newspapers, TV stations, radio stations, community blogs, and industry publications. Follow up with a personal call to key media contacts. Click here to learn more about eReleases’ press release distribution service.
Remember: keep your tone professional but enthusiastic, focus on newsworthy information rather than pure advertising, and always proofread before sending.
Grand Opening Press Release Templates
Life’s so much easier when you just have a fill-in-the-blank template, so here are three sample grand opening press release templates you can use.
Template 1: Standard Grand Opening Press Release
| FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE [Attention-Grabbing Headline About Your Grand Opening] [City, State, Release Date] – [Your Company Name], a [brief description of your business], is excited to announce the grand opening of its [new location/first store/etc.] at [address]. The event will take place on March 2026., starting at [time].The grand opening will feature [special promotions/events, such as discounts, guest appearances, free samples, etc.]. [Provide more details about the event, special guests, and any other attractions.]”[Insert a quote from a company representative about the new opening, what it means for the company and the community]”, said [Name, Position]. [Insert a brief paragraph about your company, its history, what it offers, and its significance in the industry/market.] Join us at [address] to celebrate this significant milestone. For more information, please contact [Media Contact Name] at [Phone Number] or [Email]. About [Your Company Name] Media Contact: |
Template 2: Community-Focused Grand Opening Press Release
| FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE [Headline Highlighting Community Impact of Your Grand Opening] [City, State, Release Date] – [Your Company Name] is proud to announce the opening of its newest [type of business] in [location], scheduled for March 2026. at [time]. This event marks a significant commitment to the [city/area] community.The opening day will include [community-focused activities, local partnerships, etc.], highlighting our dedication to [local community/charitable cause].”[Quote about the company’s vision for community involvement and expectations from the new location]”, stated [Name, Position in the Company]. [Insert information about the company’s background, its role in the community, and any notable achievements or contributions.] We warmly invite the residents of [city/area] to join us at [address] for the grand opening. For more details, contact [Media Contact Name]. About [Your Company Name] Media Contact: |
Template 3: Innovative/Unique Feature Grand Opening Press Release
| IMMEDIATE RELEASE [Headline Emphasizing the Unique Aspect of Your Grand Opening] [City, State, Release Date] – The much-anticipated grand opening of [Your Company Name] is set for March 2026. at our new location in [address], starting at [time]. Our newest [type of business] introduces an innovative [product/service] to the [industry/market].The grand opening event will showcase [unique features or services offered], a first in the [specific field/area]. [Detail these unique aspects and how they benefit customers or the industry.]”[Quote from a key figure in the company about the innovation and its impact on customers and the market]”, commented [Name, Title]. [Additional information about the company, its mission, and the new features or services it’s introducing.] We look forward to welcoming guests to our state-of-the-art [business type] at [address]. For further inquiries, please reach out to [Media Contact Name]. About [Your Company Name] Media Contact: |
A grand opening press release should clearly communicate the who, what, when, where, and why of your event, targeting the appropriate audience and following the standard format to maximize the chances of media coverage and public interest.
Frequently Asked Questions About Grand Opening Press Releases
When Should You Send a Grand Opening Press Release?
Send your grand opening press release 1-2 weeks before your opening date for local media, and 3-4 weeks in advance for regional or national outlets. This timing gives journalists enough notice to plan coverage while keeping your announcement timely and relevant.
The best days to send are Tuesday through Thursday mornings (8-10 AM local time) when journalists are most likely to read emails. Avoid Mondays when they’re catching up from the weekend, Fridays when the news cycle slows, and major holidays or during significant news events. Never send on the day of your opening: that’s too late for the media to cover your story.
What Should Be Included in a Grand Opening Press Release?
A grand opening press release must include: a compelling headline, dateline with city and date, opening paragraph with date/time/location, description of your business and what makes it newsworthy, details about grand opening activities or promotions, 1-2 quotes from leadership, a 75-100 word company boilerplate, and complete media contact information.
Your opening paragraph should answer the five W’s: who (your business), what (grand opening), when (specific date and time), where (complete address), and why (what makes it newsworthy—job creation, unique offerings, community benefit, or innovation). Include special promotions, entertainment, or giveaways planned for opening day. Add quotes that sound authentic and conversational, not overly promotional. Close with an “About” section, your website, social media links, and how media can reach you for more information.
How Long Should a Grand Opening Press Release Be?
A grand opening press release should be 300-500 words, or approximately one page single-spaced. This length provides all essential information while remaining concise enough for busy journalists to read quickly—typically taking 60-90 seconds to scan.
Break down your word count as follows: headline (10-15 words), lead paragraph (50-75 words), body paragraphs (150-250 words), quotes (50-75 words), and boilerplate (75-100 words). Releases shorter than 300 words lack necessary detail and credibility, while those over 600 words lose reader attention and bury key information. Use short paragraphs of 3-4 sentences each, keep sentences under 25 words, and format with single-spacing within paragraphs and double-spacing between them for easy reading.
How Much Does It Cost to Distribute a Press Release?
Press release distribution costs range from free to $1,000+, with quality distribution services starting at $399 for effective distribution. Services like eReleases ($399+) offer great value for grand opening announcements, while premium national services like PR Newswire cost $1,000+.
For grand openings, local or regional distribution provides the best ROI since your story primarily targets nearby customers and media. Free options include emailing your own media list or posting on your website, but they require more time and typically achieve lower pickup rates. Adding multimedia like photos typically costs extra but increases pickup rates by up to 40%.
Do Grand Opening Press Releases Work?
Yes, grand opening press releases work effectively, with 25-40% typically receiving media coverage or online pickup, and local releases performing even better at 40-60% success rates. They’re most valuable for generating local media attention, boosting online visibility, establishing credibility, and driving foot traffic to your new location.
Even without traditional press coverage, grand opening press releases provide SEO benefits by creating indexed content with your business name and keywords, building backlinks to your website, and appearing in search results indefinitely. To maximize success, focus on local media outlets, lead with what makes your business newsworthy (job creation, unique offerings, community benefit), send the release 1-2 weeks before opening, include high-quality photos, and follow up with journalists 2-3 days after distribution. The combined benefits of potential media coverage, online visibility, and long-term searchable content make press releases a cost-effective marketing tool with strong ROI for most new businesses.
Finally, here are some tips and training to help you write an amazing press release:
Additional Press Release Resources
- Directory of Examples & Templates
- What is a Press Release?
- Press Release Template & Format (including a blank press release example)
- Learn How to Format a Press Release (+ Free Template and 80+ Examples)
- Learn How to Write a Press Release
- How to Submit a Press Release
- To Write a Press Release Yourself or Not?
- 80+ Example Press Releases
- Press Release Syndication Services
- Using AI For Press Releases
- Small Business PR: How to Get Big Media Coverage on a Small Business Budget
- Using Data to Create Newsworthy Press Releases
- The Value of Cision PR Newswire Distribution for Small Businesses
- The Importance of Strong Quotes in Press Releases
- The Ultimate Public Relations Dictionary – Terms Every PR Pro Should Know
- Top 10 PR KPI Metrics Every PR Pro Should Track
- Rebrand and Logo Redesign Press Release Examples and Templates