Moe's Opens in Moscow

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Moe’s Southwest Grill, the fast-growing restaurant franchise best known for its flavorful southwest fare and distinct brand culture, has established its presence in Russia with a restaurant opening in Moscow earlier this month.

The restaurant, located on Pyatnitskaya Street near the historic Moscow Kremlin and Red Square, is the first of 50 units franchise group Glaventer Investments Ltd. will develop in Russia in the next 10 years.

“This marks the largest international expansion for Moe’s, and we’re extremely pleased with the initial feedback from our dedicated franchise partners in Moscow,” says Mike Shattuck, President of FOCUS Brands International, which handles overseas expansion for Moe’s Southwest Grill, as well as Carvel Ice Cream, Cinnabon, Schlotzsky’s, and Auntie Anne’s Pretzels. “The first day’s sales exceeded our expectations – a positive sign as we seek franchise partner relationships outside the United States.”

Upcoming plans call for a second location to open in Rostokino Mall, one of the largest in Moscow, by year’s end. Altogether, Moe’s in Russia is expected to add 1,000 jobs to the country.

Moe’s parent company FOCUS Brands, the franchisor and operator of 3,300 Carvel, Cinnabon, Auntie Annes Pretzels, and Schlotzsky’s locations, has a robust international infrastructure that currently supports more than 820 locations in 53 countries and is poised to support significant international growth for Moe’s.