Wahoo’s Fish Taco announced the appointment of Tom Orbe as vice president responsible for the company’s franchise program. Orbe, a franchisee himself, will take the lead in driving the growth of Wahoo’s stores across the United States.

“Expanding Wahoo’s will meet the demand we have in communities throughout the nation for our signature homemade food and family friendly atmosphere,” Orbe says. “I am happy to join the restaurant’s creative, progressive team and look forward to extending the success I have experienced with Wahoo’s to the new franchise owners.”

Wahoo’s Fish Taco developed a growth initiative to add at least 100 franchise locations in the next five years. The company plans to sign 15 franchises in California during the fall of 2009, with the first five locations being determined via a lottery. In addition, the company will open four franchise locations in Arizona, also available through a lottery in the winter of 2009. Additional locations across the country will be assigned as the process develops.