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Garbanzo inks deal with Houston franchisee

January 6, 2014

Garbanzo Mediterranean Grill, based in Colorado, announced today that it has signed Houston franchise group Ella Bean to its restaurant enterprise.

Ella Bean, owned by area entrepreneurs and in-laws Tyson Shields, Kunal Aggarwal and Dan Aggarwal, is operated by area restaurateur Raj Bansal. With the rights to develop up to 10 Garbanzo units in the Houston market, the franchise group is currently considering locations in the Memorial and The Woodlands areas of Houston and plans to open its first Garbanzo in the spring of 2014, according to a company press release.

Shields' and the Aggarwal's other family businesses, Trudy's Hallmark and Mason's Jewelers, have been staples in the Houston area for more than 30 years combined, according to the release. They own and operate the businesses in conjunction with Shields' wife, Priya, and his mother-in-law, Kirti. An experienced restaurateur, Bansal has owned and operated Houston Quiznos franchise locations for many years.

"Ella Bean is an influential group with significant entrepreneurial and restaurant history in the Houston marketplace," said Bob Bafundo, Garbanzo vice president of company and franchise operations. "The company's close ties to the area paired with the community's familiarity and interest in Mediterranean cuisine create an ideal setting for our healthy, fresh and authentic concept."

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