The Habit plans East Coast debut this summer

California-based The Habit Burger Grill has signed its first two franchise agreements for multiunit expansion in the Las Vegas and Seattle markets. The deals are part of the company's plan for 26 new restaurants this year, including its first East Coast location in Fair Lawn, N.J., set to open this summer.

Company officials said they will pursue other franchising opportunities in the population-dense regions of the Eastern seaboard.

In Las Vegas, 12 Ventures LLC, led by president and CEO Andrew Jeter, plans to open 15 restaurants.

PBUH Holdings LLC will expand the Habit with 25 restaurants in the Seattle area, led by restaurateurs Tauseef Razaque and Abdullah Jafrey, operators of 55 restaurants in multiple concepts.

According to a news release, The Habit Burger Grill currently has 94 locations throughout California, Arizona and Utah. The Habit's entry into franchising is led by John Phillips.

"We are thrilled to have signed seasoned restaurant operators to expand the Habit in untapped markets," Phillips said in the release. "We are opening a company-owned restaurant this summer in Fair Lawn, N.J., with Gary Keurajian, our newest market partner. That will pave the way for additional corporate as well as franchise expansion throughout the mid-Atlantic area. The East coast is a perfect match for the Habit with population density, income levels and appreciation for quality fast casual dining at value prices."