Fazoli's is continuing its expansion into travel center and convenience store locations with its latest opening on Interstate 74 in Shelbyville, Ind., 25 miles east of Indianapolis. The new location offers dine-in, carryout and a drive-thru.
"People are spending less money, but they want a dining experience that goes beyond fast food," said Chintu Patel, head of Aditi 3 Italian Fast Food LLC, the group behind the second travel center unit. Par Mar Stores opened the first earlier this year in Fairmont, W. Va.
Patel, the franchisee of the center's Dunkin' Donuts and Orange Leaf frozen yogurt units, also operates the center's convenience store and gas station and has leased remaining space to Penn Station Subs. He also owns and manages five other travel centers in the Southeast, 54 Subway restaurants in two states, nine Orange Leaf units in three states and several hotels.
Patel said sales are exceeding expectations; he's agreed to open two more travel center units before the end of 2013 in Indiana, with the next one expected to open next summer.
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