Famous Dave's of America announced the signing of development deals by four franchise partners for a total of 12 locations throughout New York, Maryland, Michigan, Ohio, and Puerto Rico during the next three to five years.

The four franchise partners behind the deals include two existing owners who are expanding their collection of restaurants and two developers new to the concept. "We are excited for all of our signings," says Victor Salamone, vice president of development and franchise sales. "Our growth through existing partner expansion demonstrates barbecue’s viability and the franchisees new to the Famous Dave's family show confidence in our brand's potential."

While new to Famous Dave's, Florida-based developer Eric Bachelor of Bachelor Restaurant Holdings, LLC, isn't new to the business. He has a variety of restaurant, real estate, and hotel ventures under his belt. His two-unit development deal is for Price Georges County, Maryland. Bachelor expects to open his first location in the Boulevard at Capital Centre located in Largo, Maryland next year.

Craig Cohen, also new to Famous Dave's, has a four-unit deal for Westchester and Rockland counties in New York. He comes to the brand with experience as a franchisee in two other restaurant systems.

Elliot Baum, Blue Ribbon BBQ LLC, has five Famous Dave's locations in Michigan and one in Ohio. He will add to his group of restaurants in the next five years with development focused in Cleveland and Akron, Ohio and Ann Arbor, Michigan.

After opening in Carolina, Puerto Rico with record-breaking sales earlier this year, Jorge Colon-Geren is breaking ground on his second Famous Dave's. The Bayamón location is slated to open in the first quarter of 2014.