Charley’s Grilled Subs is continuing its global expansion with the opening of its first Dominican Republic location. The new Charley’s is part of a larger expansion as the franchise is targeting four additional units throughout the country by 2014.

“Already, the Santo Domingo community has embraced the new Charley’s location, so we are extremely confident that it will soon become the most popular sandwich chain in the Dominican Republic,” says Mario Contreras, regional developer and franchise partner of the new restaurant.

Charley’s, which has more than 400 locations in 16 countries, including Japan, Germany, and Saudi Arabia, is no stranger to South America, and neither is Contreras. The 28-year-old South Florida native recently signed a master agreement that will bring more than a dozen Charley’s to Venezuela. He operates four restaurants in that country, as well as six in Florida, two in South Carolina, and one in Panama.

“Mario Contreras knows the ins and outs of Charley’s, as well as the local business landscape in the Dominican Republic,” says James Pa, vice president of brand management for Charley’s. “Even more, hot sandwiches have long been a part of many cultures around the world, which is one of several factors that makes a concept like Charley’s well-suited for international expansion.”