Garbanzo Mediterranean Grill, a Colorado-based fast casual restaurant concept featuring Mediterranean cuisine, announces the grand opening of its second Maryland location in College Park. Officially opening Wednesday, March 27, 2013, at 7316 Baltimore Ave., the new restaurant is the second company-owned Garbanzo to open outside Colorado and the 19th location nationwide. 

“The College Park community immediately stood out as an ideal restaurant location given its large student population and fresh, energetic vibe,” says Scott Black, Garbanzo director of operations. “I have worked and lived in and around the area for years, and it was quite evident our healthy and authentic food and fun brand would be welcomed among those who live, work, and go to school in the vicinity. We are very happy to now be a part of the community and share the Garbanzo experience with even more.”
 
The new location is holding a fundraiser dinner Thursday, March 28, for Relay for Life of University of Maryland. The public is invited to attend from 5:30 – 7:30 p.m. for a $5.00 suggested donation.
 
On grand opening day Wednesday, March 27, free Garbanzo tote bags will be given away, and customers have the opportunity to win other free Garbanzo prizes, including Garbanzo T-shirts, entrée cards, and gift cards.
 
Garbanzo College Park is also holding several contests all month long giving away items such as an electronic reader, bicycle and Amazon gift card. 
 
“With two Maryland locations open and several more in the works, we are very excited about our expansion possibilities throughout the market,” says Alon Mor, Garbanzo founder, president, and CEO. “We have our sights set on a few other retail locations in the area and hope to open at least three more restaurants before year’s end.”
 
Opening on the heels of the Columbia, Maryland location, Garbanzo College Park joins existing company- and franchisee-owned restaurants throughout the country. Garbanzo corporate has 15 locations in Colorado and now two in Maryland. Current franchise locations include one in San Antonio, Texas, and one in Oklahoma City. With many new store openings on the horizon, Garbanzo is on track to double in size by the end of 2013.
 
Garbanzo offers guests a variety of Mediterranean items with a healthy trans-fat free menu. Guests have the ability to customize every meal with items such as pita, laffa, falafel, shwarma, hummus, seasoned rice, sauces, and dressings. Garbanzo salads and sauces are prepared on-site daily, and the pita are made from scratch in every restaurant. Additionally, several ingredients are bought locally and some are imported directly from the Mediterranean region.
 
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