LEXINGTON, Ky. -- Italian quick-service restaurant (QSR) chain Fazoli's announced in late 2011 the addition of seven new locations to be opened by three new franchisees: Par Mar Stores in West Virginia and Ohio, TeCaSe of Murray, Ky. and CCreations LLC of New Whiteland, Ind.
The first Fazoli's unit in a travel plaza is set to open in Fairmont, Va., early 2012 in a strategic partnership with Par Mar Stores, a division of Par Mar Oil Co. That 1,500-square foot unit will offer seating as well as carryout and drive-thru services.
Par Mar has a three-unit development agreement with Fazoli's and is planning to open the remaining two in 2012 and 2013. The company is exploring additional development of smaller Fazoli's units in more of its 50 locations, said Sandra Morgenstern, Par Mar president and COO.
Fazoli's product line offers something new and different to the small college town of Murray, Ky., said Terry S. Parker-Bell, principal of TeCaSe. "Now there are limited choices of mostly pizza and burgers," she noted. Her unit will be freestanding with a drive-thru.
The third new agreement is for three units in greater Indianapolis, signed by Chintu Patel and his wife, Jigna, of CCreations.
"The adding of three new franchisees to the Fazoli's system is just another signal of the re-emergence of this great brand," said Carl T. Howard, president and CEO. "Not only does it show that the Fazoli's is relevant again, but that sophisticated entrepreneurs truly recognize that Fazoli's is a great business investment."
Under Howard's leadership, Fazoli's has been repositioned and has experienced comparable-store sales growth averaging more than 3% for the last 15 months, the company said, and some units are reporting increases as high as 20%.
"These agreements are just the first of several we expect to announce in the coming months," said James Franks, vice president of franchising.
Marietta, Ohio-based Par Mar Stores is an operating division of Par Mar Oil Co. It currently operates approximately 50 convenience stores in West Virginia, Ohio and Kentucky.
Fazoli's menu features freshly prepared Italian entrees, Submarinos sandwiches and salads with a contemporary new restaurant design, Founded in Lexington, Ky. in 1989, Sun Capital Partners acquired Fazoli's in 2006.
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