Cleveland-based Restaurant Developers Corporation (RDC), franchisor for Mr. Hero Restaurants, has hit the ground running in 2000 with the opening of its third location since February, and a fourth scheduled to open summer 2000.

In May, RDC granted three franchises in markets previously not served by Mr. Hero. A franchise for a full-serve Mr. Hero in Dayton, Ohio was granted to Dayton entrepreneur Michael Peterson. Peterson heads a construction firm and plans to open additional full-serve Mr. Hero restaurants in Dayton, Cincinnati, and Columbus.

Michael Hejaij, owner of a Mobil gas station and convenience store in Dearborn Heights, Michigan, will operated a Mr. Hero Express from his convenience store. Mr. Hero Express features the most popular items from the full-serve menu, including Romanburger®, Hot Buttered Cheesesteak, Ribeye Philly, Grilled Chicken Philly, and Potato Waffer Fries. A third full-serve is planned for Southfield, Michigan.

Early in 2000 RDC formed an alliance with Guest Services in Washington, D.C. to open a Mr. Hero Express in the House of Representatives’ Cannon Office Building in DC

According to Ron Wolfe, CEO and president of RDC, “Expanding into new markets fulfills our strategy to obtain franchise agreements through co-branding and with independent franchisees throughout the Great Lakes region and the east coast. We’ll continue to seek out franchise opportunities that will build awareness for the distinct flavors of adult fast-food ordered by Mr. Hero.

There are more than 130 Mr. Hero franchises in the Great Lakes region. In addition, Restaurant Developers Corporation has a franchise agreement with Dairy Mart Convenience Stores to operate Mr. Hero Express units in locations in that region and along the east coast. There are also 20 company-owned Mr. Hero restaurants in Ohio.