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MOOYAH targets Midwest

November 8, 2013

MOOYAH Burgers, Fries & Shakes has announced a focused growth plan targeting Ohio, Michigan, Wisconsin, Indiana and Illinois. The chain has enlisted the leadership of development agents Ardag Tachian and Scott Adams to spearhead the extensive Midwestern development plan, according to a company press release.

"The Midwest has a rich history of family values, and the MOOYAH brand is very family-centric," said Tachian, noting that the company celebrated a banner year in 2012, with double-digit unit growth. "MOOYAH is a great fit for the region, and we're thrilled to be working with a brand so focused on excellent operations and exceptional guest service. We're hoping to find franchisees with a great track record in the restaurant business to uphold our standards, preferably those who have experience in the fast casual segment."

In Ohio, the duo plans to eventually open a total of 27 restaurants with a focus on Toledo, Cleveland, Columbus, Dayton and Cincinnati. Michigan is set for a large number of restaurants as well, with an eventual total of 21 for Grand Rapids, Lansing and Detroit. The pair recently sold a four-unit development deal to a franchisee in Milwaukee, and his first restaurant is slated to open in 2014, with one opening every nine to 12 months thereafter. Tachian and Adams will develop at least four additional restaurants in the state, with two projected for Madison, Wis.

In Indiana, they're planning a total of 10 MOOYAH restaurants over the next five to seven years, with a focus on Indianapolis, Fort Wayne and South Bend. In neighboring Illinois, the development agents already have eight franchises sold, and they're looking at a total of 28 restaurants in the next five to seven years, with a main focus on Chicago and at least one in Rockford, one in Peoria and one in Bloomington.

Tachian started franchising more than 15 years ago, and he and Adams opened more than 200 restaurants for a large sub-sandwich chain in Michigan and Northern Ohio.

"Paired with our strong North American growth, including our recent 50th restaurant opening milestone in the United States, strong and targeted individual market development is increasingly a large part of our strategic expansion plans," said Michael Mabry, VP of Operations and Franchise Development at MOOYAH. "Through these developers, we have the ability to penetrate a market with two individuals whose experience in the industry sets them up for incredible success."

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