Franchising

The Stand expanding in Texas

Provided

October 20, 2020

The Stand, a Southern California-based fast casual concept focused on redefining American classics, is opening 15 to 20 locations over the next few years in Texas through a license agreement with Norman Abdallah and Neil Billingsley-Michaelsen, according to a company press release.

The 8-unit brand, which opened in 2003, is ready to expand after posting positive same-store sales growth due to its broad appeal, high-quality menu and safety measures taken to protect team members and diners amid the pandemic, founder and Chief Executive Officer Murray Wishengrad said in the release.

"The Stand has been a strong brand for over 15-plus years, and it all comes down to our commitment to uncompromised food quality with unparalleled variety in the fast casual space, all while delivering unbelievable value," he said. "We have one of the most diverse menus in the fast-casual category giving our customers maximum flexibility in the occasions they visit and a variety of options to satisfy even the largest family or group."

The menu consists of made-to-order options on everything from burgers to sandwiches to locally made sausages to a large selection of unique salads, sides and desserts using ingredients with often hyper-localized sourcing and flexibility to meet a variety of dietary needs, EVP Jason Wishengrad said in the release.

"Particularly as we open the Texas market, we're focused on working with local meat and produce suppliers, bakeries and breweries to ensure that local connection," he said.

Abdallah and Billingsley-Michaelsen's initial plan for expansion includes two locations already in progress in the Uptown and North Dallas neighborhoods. The remainder of the 15-20 locations will be in development across the next five years with significant investments along the way to grow The Stand throughout Texas, according to the release.