The cold winter blast during the first quarter of this year failed to put a chill on Einstein Bros. Bagels’ expansion of licensed locations as the fast-casual restaurant chain continued to meet the growing demand for its fresh, high-quality menu items and unmatched customer service.
Following the record growth it experienced in 2009, the bakery chain was off to a fast start in the first quarter of this year with the opening of five new licensed locations.
“We have built tremendous momentum behind our license expansion and consider it a key to achieving our vision of becoming the fastest-growing fast casual chain in North America,” says Jeff O’Neill, CEO of Einstein Noah Restaurant Group Inc. “Dining management groups recognize us as the leader in offering quality, freshness, and convenience where portability and affordability are essential, and they are more than eager to add our brand to their facilities.”
Einstein Bros. Bagels opened 31 licensed locations in a variety of venues, including universities, healthcare facilities, military bases, and corporate headquarters in 2009. This year, the company plans to exceed its 2009 openings for another record year.
“By delivering the quality and freshness of a bakery/café with the speed of a [quick serve], we’ve built demand for our products among college students, military personnel, medical center professionals, and travelers,” O’Neill says.
At the end of 2009, the company had more than 180 licensed Einstein Bros. locations in the U.S., along with 500-plus corporate and franchised stores across its three brands.
