Michigan-based fast food chains Papa
Romano's and Mr. Pita said Tuesday they have signed master
franchisee agreements to begin opening locations in
Colorado, Texas and North Carolina as part of an
out-of-state expansion announced last year.
The Papa Romano's,
Mr. Pita or co-branded stores
could begin opening as soon as this summer in metropolitan
Denver, Houston and Charlotte, N.C., said Casey Askar,
chairman and CEO for both companies. In addition, Mr. Pita
said it has finalized an agreement to open the first store
near Buffalo, N.Y. this spring.
The
pizza and sandwich-wrap chains merged last August in
Commerce Township. The first out-of-state Mr. Pita opened
earlier this month in suburban Orlando, Fla.
"We've
identified strong partners in each of those states who have
the skill, experience and business acumen to serve as master
franchisees for growing our brands in those territories,"
Askar said in a statement. "We are now in the process of
looking for new store sites and prospective franchisees for
those areas."
The
company said it plans to open "upwards of 100" single or
co-branded Papa Romano's and Mr. Pita stores near Denver and
in northeast Colorado through two master franchisees who
will also serve as franchising agents in the area. In
Houston, the company plans to open at least 120 single or
co-branded stores through two master franchisees.
The company plans at least
30 Mr. Pita sites in an area that includes metropolitan
Charlotte, N.C. and northwest South Carolina. Joseph
Gerbino, who owns four Michigan franchises, and Thomas
Bommarito of Troy are among the three franchisees in that
market.
