Fazoli’s Entering Montgomery, Ala. as Franchising Kicks into High Gear

Current operators continue to report record-setting sales

Latest Texas restaurant opens this week

LEXINGTON, Ky.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Fazoli’s, the nation’s largest fast-casual Italian chain, has signed a
franchise agreement for its first restaurant in Montgomery, Alabama.
Fazoli’s, #2 on Zagat’s list of fast-food restaurants, recently
announced an aggressive, five-prong franchise
growth strategy.

The Montgomery restaurant will be developed by Dr. Rakesh Patel. It is
expected to open in early February at 7123 Eastchase Parkway. “There’s a
need in the east Montgomery area for a good Italian restaurant, and
Fazoli’s offers its franchisees very good support,” said Patel.

His company will convert an end-cap unit in a small strip center to a
75-seat Fazoli’s. The restaurant will include a drive-thru. Patel also
operates two Schlotzsky’s and two Bruster’s Real Ice Cream franchises in
Montgomery.

“It is always exciting to enter a new city, and Montgomery fits in very
well with our strategy to expand in the Southeast,” said Carl Howard,
Fazoli’s President and CEO. Earlier this year the brand inked a
development deal for six units in southern Georgia.

Fazoli’s, which was acquired by Sentinel Capital partners earlier this
year, has moved from turnaround to growth mode. Its latest Texas
restaurant, owned by Sami Muhammad who operates a Fazoli’s in
Whitehouse, opens this week in Tyler.

New locations were added earlier this year in Indiana and Kentucky, with
two more scheduled to open next month in Iowa and Kentucky. In addition
to the Montgomery restaurant, two units are scheduled to open in the
first quarter of 2016.

According to Howard, record sales are driving interest in Fazoli’s.
Following a strong October, same-store-sales at franchised units are up
5.6% this year. Between April and September, franchisees reported more
than 50 weekly sales records.

Singled out by the New York Post as one of the top five
restaurant chains to watch, Fazoli’s is ranked among the top 20
companies worldwide for franchise relationships. Its new franchise
incentive program includes a number of discounts on fees and royalties.
Target markets include, but are not limited to, Charlotte, Cincinnati,
Cleveland, Columbus, Dallas, Detroit, Knoxville, Phoenix, Pittsburgh and
Toledo.

More information and images: http://ownafazolis.com/press-room/
Connect:
www.fazolis.com,
www.ownafazolis.com,
@Fazolis,
and https://www.facebook.com/Fazolis

Based in Lexington, Ky., Fazoli’s has approximately 220 restaurants
nationwide.

Contacts

Ritter Communications
Brad Ritter, 866-284-2170
BRitter@bradritter.com