Pyrogrill announces franchising plans

NORTH PALM BEACH, Fla. — Pyrogrill, a fast-casual restaurant, has announced franchising plans.

 

Michael Curcio, 29, is the chief executive and founder of the concept. Its menu boasts a mix of fresh-grilled chicken, steak or fish with crisp greens and signature sauces. The board of directors for the concept include Blimpie Subs founder Tony Conza and Michael's father, who is the founder of Tire Kingdom.

 

According to a news release, Pyrogrill's Jupiter, Fla., unit is expected to reach $1.1 million in sales in 2006. Comparable sales have increased an average of 43 percent over the last three years.

 

Pyrogrill is looking to open 15 to 25 franchise locations throughout the country in 2007, primarily in the Southeast. Two company-owned restaurants are scheduled to open in Wellington and Lake Worth along Florida's East Coast in January and May 2007.

 

Curcio expects to open about 100 locations by the end of 2009, with 25 to 30 percent of those being company-operated units.