Fast Casual:
Einstein Noah Restaurant Group Inc. has signed a multiunit development deal with Ellaicy Restaurant Company Inc. to franchise Einstein Bros. Bagels restaurants in Central Illinois.
Based in Peoria, Ill., Ellaicy Restaurant Company plans to open five Einstein Bros. restaurants within the next five years in the Peoria, East Peoria and Bloomington-Normal, Ill., markets. The first location is scheduled to open in October 2010.
“This new franchise agreement confirms that demand for our brand is building,” Jeff O’Neill, chief executive officer of Einstein Noah Restaurant Group, said in a news release. “We want to be the fastest growing fast-casual restaurant chain in America, and we are accelerating growth by increasing our focus on expansion through franchising.”