News

Corner Bakery trekking through California

February 5, 2014

Corner Bakery Cafe has awarded its first multi-unit development agreement of the new year, planning to open nine restaurants in the Central Valley area of California with new franchise partner C&L Cafe LLC, according to a company press release.

Doug Cross, managing member at C&L Cafe, which also owns and operates multiple restaurant concepts in several states, said the group of veteran restaurant operators plans to open its first cafes in 2014 and the remaining sites over the next five years.

"Choosing to partner with an established fast casual brand like Corner Bakery Cafe was an easy decision for us," he said. "For C&L Cafe, we look forward to bringing this great concept to communities in the Central Valley area and are confident that everything from the locally-inspired décor to the freshly-prepared menu will make our cafes a welcome addition in neighborhoods across the area."

C&L Cafe joins a roster of more than 25 franchise partners, raising the development commitments to more than 350 cafes, as Corner Bakery Cafe continues on its goal to more than double its U.S. footprint in the next three years. Last month, the company announced plans to open eight new restaurants in the Sacramento area. With the new Central Valley development agreement, company executives have announced that all California territories are currently claimed. Still, Corner Bakery Cafe believes the Pacific Northwest represents a tremendous growth opportunity that will play a key role as the chain moves forward on its future development goals, according to the release.

The brand is also looking to expand to new markets in Alabama, Indiana, Minnesota, Missouri, North Carolina, Ohio and Tennessee.

"We're excited to start off 2014 with this great news regarding our latest development agreement, expanding the reach of our signature neighborhood bakery cafe experience even further in the California market," said Gregg Koffler, VP of Franchise Sales for Corner Bakery Cafe. "With all of the momentum we're experiencing coming off a record-breaking year with 12 Area Development Agreements, the Central Valley area is the perfect place to continue our expansion plans as the brand looks to numerous new locations and even more fans on the West Coast."

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