Sandella’s Flatbread Café has finalized a deal with franchisee, Ronald Roan, to bring two units of the hit fast-casual concept to Birmingham, Alabama. With more than 130 locations operating, Sandella’s Flatbread Café is the largest flatbread concept in the world. Each of Sandella’s healthy and delicious menu items are built in four steps or less on its famous flatbread. Due to Sandella’s growing popularity, there are more than 400 restaurants in development across the U.S. and the United Arab Emirates.

Roan will add multiunit franchisee to his resume that consists of anesthesiologist, flight physician for international transports, and Air National Guard flight surgeon. Roan plans to open his first location by the Spring of 2009 and his second in 2010. He has not yet finalized real estate for his stores, but is scouting Birmingham for the best locations available.

Although Roan has no prior experience in the restaurant industry, he says he has “always wanted a healthy place to eat that was inexpensive and offered quick service.” Since Roan is still looking for a place to satisfy his needs, he decided to take matters into his own hands. “I kept waiting for something to be developed in my area, but it never came,” Roan says. “So, I decided I would bring the very thing I was waiting for to Birmingham myself!”

Restaurants average 1,000-1,500 square feet and seat 30 to 40 guests.