Fazoli’s franchisees and company units posted a combined 13.6-percent same-store sales increase in January—more than double that of their quick-service competitors. Franchisees reported a 15.1-percent increase, with company units up 12.7 percent. According to MillerPulse research, the QSR segment as a whole grew January sales 6.1 percent.

Fazoli’s combined January same-store traffic also outpaced the industry nearly four-fold, up 10.3 percent compared to 2.7 percent, as reported by MillerPulse. “This was the best January comp-store sales in company history, and the best comp-store sales month in more than 16 years,” says Carl Howard, president and CEO of the QSR chain.

The robust January performance followed a record-setting fourth quarter in which 27 new weekly franchise sales records were set, with 25 percent of franchisees reporting new records.

Fazoli’s 2015 franchise development efforts are also off to a strong start. The company has commitments for nine new franchise restaurants, including several in travel centers, and Fazoli’s is finalizing a development agreement with a large, multi-unit operator for six additional restaurants.

 “Fazoli’s future is very bright, and it’s a great time for new franchisees to join the system,” Howard adds. “We are leading the premium QSR segment and are benefiting as consumers increasingly move to concepts that better meet their tastes and needs."