Fazoli’s Launches Aggressive Franchise Development Program

Fazoli’s, recently acquired by Sentinel Capital Partners, is putting the fast-casual chain on the franchising fast track. An aggressive, five-prong franchise development program is in the works, building on record sales and brand enhancements ranging from a new premium menu to table service.

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At the center of the strategy is a new incentive program where new franchisees are eligible for discounts of us to $20,000 off the initial $30,000 franchise fee. Royalties have been been cut to two percent from four percent for the first year and to three percent for the second year. Vendor fees will also be discounted for the first 12 months.

Fazoli’s has been laying the groundwork for franchise expansion with a premium menu that serves casual dining quality food at quick-service prices, the use of real plates and silverware and dining room service that includes meal delivery and table clearing. The chain has also hired a real estate director and the addition of the Buxton Group to assist with site selection to support franchisees.

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Fazoli’s is actively seeking executives at large chains who want to leave their companies and build their own restaurant legacies as franchisees. There also are incentives for current franchisees to open more units.

The growth plan coincides with release of a survey by the National Restaurant Association reaffirming Italian as the most popular ethnic cuisine, with 61 percent of consumers saying they eat Italian food at least once a month. And recently, the New York Post named Fazoli’s as one of the top five restaurant chains to watch.

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