Fast-casual Italian chain Fazoli’s announced Monday the opening of its newest franchised restaurant in Warner Robins, Georgia, marking the company’s fourth location in the state. Located at 762 Highway 96, the restaurant will celebrate its grand opening with a VIP event on September 26, starting with a ribbon cutting ceremony at 10 a.m. During the ribbon cutting, the restaurant will proudly make a donation to the Alzheimer’s Association of Middle Georgia. The restaurant will be open to the public at 10:30 a.m. on September 27.
The new restaurant is owned and operated by Allen Peake and Mike Chumbley, of C&P Restaurant Company, who currently have one location in Macon, Georgia. As former Fazoli’s franchisees in the 1990s, the pair was eager to re-join the brand under the leadership of Carl Howard. Having been franchisees of various concepts, Peake and Chumbley have a unique perspective of what works and what doesn’t. They consider the key ingredient to franchise success is believing in the franchisor and the concept.
“As veterans of the foodservice industry, Mike and I were thrilled to be re-joining the Fazoli’s family. We truly believe in the Fazoli’s menu and are excited about the direction the company is heading under its new leadership,” says Allen Peake, Fazoli’s franchisee. “Fazoli’s is uniquely positioned in the fast-casual arena, and we know that Warner Robins’ residents will love our approach to serving quick, affordable Italian food.”
The expansion in Georgia is part of the brand’s overall franchise development plans for this year, with a goal of opening three additional restaurants by the end of 2016. This announcement comes on the heels of significant growth for Fazoli’s, including 13 consecutive quarters of same-store sales growth—with franchisees boasting a 5.1 percent year-over-year same-store sales increase in July. In addition, Fazoli’s franchisees are experiencing nearly three times the industry average growth rate, with new franchised restaurants setting company-wide records. In fact, Peake and Chumbley’s Macon, Georgia restaurant celebrated a record-breaking grand opening week with more than $80,000 in sales.
Fazoli’s has nearly 220 restaurants in 24 states. Fazoli’s franchisees are experiencing record sales growth, and the company is currently seeking single- and multi-unit operators to join the brand’s rapid expansion.
