FlashNews - Chain Expansion Report

April 10, 2006

Chain Expansion Report

Arby’s, Benihana and Red Robin, among other chains, release expansion information.

Arby’s signed an agreement with Mike Welch to build nine restaurants in Broward County, Fla.

Benihana Inc. opened an RA Sushi Bar Restaurant in Palm Beach Gardens, Fla., the first location in the state. The chain also opened a Haru Sushi Restaurant on Wall Street in New York City.

BJ’s Restaurants Inc. opened a 7,800-square-foot restaurant and brewhouse in Westminster, Colo.

Captain D’s signed a letter of intent with Restaurant Development Group, LLC, of Brentwood, Tenn., to develop approximately 125 units in Puerto Rico during the next 10 years. In addition, Sagittarius Brands, parent company of Captain D’s, completed the acquisition of Forest, Calif.-based Del Taco. C. Ronald Petty, president of Del Taco, was named president-development in charge of franchising, construction, real estate and co-branding for Sagittarius Brands.

The Cheesecake Factory plans to open a location at the Bayshore Mall in Glendale, Wis., its second Milwaukee-area restaurant, according to The Business Journal.

Charlotte, N.C.-based Alliance Development Group, LLC, acquired the Columbus, Ohio-based Damon’s Grill restaurant chain. Carl Howard, most recently chief operating officer for Damon’s, was promoted to president and chief executive officer.

Famous Dave’s signed an agreement with Backyard BBQ Inc. to develop seven Famous Dave’s Legendary Pit Bar-B-Que restaurants in Orange County, Calif.

Red Robin Gourmet Burgers opened a location in O’Fallon, Mo., this week, bringing the total number of locations in Missouri to six.

Smith & Wollensky decided not to reopen its New Orleans restaurant after Hurricane Katrina, according to a report on MarketWatch. The building in the central-city district has been sealed and air-conditioned to preserve it, but the company shuttered the restaurant because of lacking convention business and a non-existent lunch crowd.