UFood Restaurant Group, Inc.announced that the company has contracted with franchisee Manuel Rivera to develop and operate eight UFood Grills in Puerto Rico. The first of the units is projected to open in fall 2011.

"This is a great opportunity to expand our brand beyond the continental U.S.," says UFood CEO George Naddaff. "This will allow us to introduce UFood to the residents of Puerto Rico, while making our delicious and nutritious food available to our customers in the States who visit the island."

"I was one of the first customers to patronize the original low fat-no fat restaurant in 2000, which later became UFood Grill," says Rivera, a Puerto Rican native and former Boston resident. "I am proud and excited to have the opportunity to bring the healthy UFood Grill menu to Puerto Rico where I believe the concept of better-for-you food will achieve great success."

UFood Grill is committed to offering consumers food that is both delicious and nutritious, with a wide-ranging menu that includes lean burgers, rice bowls, salads, wraps, and smoothies. The company currently has eight locations in Boston, Dallas, and Cleveland, including three airports (Logan Airport [2 units], Dallas Ft. Worth International Airport, Cleveland Hopkins International Airport), urban areas, and Parkland Memorial Hospital in Dallas.

In addition, the company will be opening three additional units this year on the Aberdeen Proving Ground military base in Maryland and is approved to open two airport units in the Salt Lake City International Airport, and one unit in the Omni Club fitness center in Fort Myers, Florida.