Einstein Noah Restaurant Group Inc. has signed a multiunit development deal with Ellaicy Restaurant Company Inc. to franchise Einstein Bros. Bagels restaurants in Central Illinois.
Based in Peoria, Ill., Ellaicy Restaurant Company plans to open five Einstein Bros. restaurants within the next five years in the Peoria, East Peoria and Bloomington-Normal, Ill., markets. The first location is scheduled to open in October 2010.
"This new franchise agreement confirms that demand for our brand is building," Jeff O'Neill, chief executive officer of Einstein Noah Restaurant Group, said in a news release. "We want to be the fastest growing fast-casual restaurant chain in America, and we are accelerating growth by increasing our focus on expansion through franchising."
As of January 8, 2010, the company has signed 14 multiunit franchise agreements, which, when fully developed, represent a total of 57 additional stores. The first two franchise locations opened in Jacksonville, Fla., and Rogers, Ark., in 2008.
Building on the record growth it reaped in 2009, the popular quick-casual bakery chain has already planted the seeds for another record year in 2010.
"License expansion is key to achieving our vision of becoming the fastest-growing fast casual chain in North America," O'Neill said. "When dining management groups decide which brands they want in their facilities, they know that we are a leader in offering quality, freshness and convenience where portability and affordability are essential."
Through the fourth quarter of this year, Einstein Bros. Bagels opened 31 licensed locations in a variety of venues, including universities, healthcare facilities, military bases and corporate headquarters. In 2010, the company plans to exceed its 2009 openings for another record year.
Nine new licensed stores opened in the fourth quarter of 2009. The locations include Eisenhower Medical Center-Lucy Curci Center in Rancho Mirage, Calif.; Eisenhower Medical Center in La Quinta, Calif.; Missouri Western State University in St. Joseph University; AT&T headquarters in Dallas; Abilene Christian University in Abilene, Texas; and California State University-East Bay.
At the end of 2009, the company had more than 180 licensed Einstein Bros. locations across the United States, along with 500-plus corporate and franchised stores across its three brands.
