America’s Largest Fast Casual Italian Franchise Also Achieves 16 Consecutive Quarters of Same-Stores Sales Growth at Fiscal Fourth Quarter Mark
Fazoli’s, America’s largest fast casual Italian franchise, today announced a record-setting finale to its fiscal 2017 year ending March 31, 2017, including agreements signed to develop 30 new restaurants with 13 franchise groups. This includes six new franchisees to the brand and seven who are expanding with multiple units, and it represents an impressive 550 percent growth rate for new agreements over the previous fiscal year. Additionally, the company has now experienced 16 consecutive quarters of same-store sales growth at its franchise-owned restaurants.
“Fazoli’s fiscal 2017 results speak volumes about what our company has been able to accomplish by listening to customer feedback and working with our franchisees to achieve our mission of quality and hospitality in each of our restaurants,” said Carl Howard, president and chief executive officer of Fazoli’s. “We set 78 new franchise sales records, which tells me Fazoli’s is delivering on our brand promise and has tremendous momentum going into this next fiscal year.”
With nearly 220 restaurants in 25 states, Fazoli’s also set new records for average unit volume in fiscal 2017, including a record AUV month in March 2017. Those accomplishments were followed in April with the announcement that the company will be removing all artificial sweeteners, flavors, preservatives and colors from its entire food menu, making it the first national brand under 1,000 units to offer a completely clean food menu. Fazoli’s supply chain is currently 80 percent clean of all artificial ingredients, and on June 19, will be completely clean of all artificial sweeteners, flavors, preservatives and colors.
Additionally, the brand will roll out a new premium menu in its 122 company-owned locations across the country starting June 19, with the remaining 91 and all new franchised locations featuring the newly upgraded menus in January 2018. A new, contemporary look and feel is also coming to the interior design this summer, with Fazoli’s remodeling select locations to create a better customer experience for its guests.
This is a continuation of brand refresh efforts that are translating to franchisee success, with new franchised restaurants setting new systemwide records and franchisees experiencing nearly three times the industry average growth rate. Fazoli’s is currently seeking single- and multi-unit operators to join its growing, successful franchise network and is targeting new markets across the U.S. Earlier this year, the brand launched a multi-unit franchise development incentive program available through June 30, 2017. New franchisees that sign a new multi-unit agreement for three or more locations will receive reduced franchise and royalty fees for the first two years of operations. A reduced franchise fee is also available for new multi-unit agreements for three or more non-traditional units, including college campuses, airports and casinos.
For more information about franchise opportunities, contact Sam Nelson, vice president of franchise recruitment and development, at 1-800-446-4368 or sam.nelson@fazolis.com.
With approximately 220 restaurants in 25 states, Fazoli’s is America’s largest Italian fast casual chain, serving freshly prepared entrees, Submarinos sandwiches, salads and pizza. One of the New York Post’s five breakout fast casual restaurants and a FastCasual.com Brand of the Year, Fazoli’s franchisees are experiencing record sales growth. Visit www.ownafazolis.com for details on development opportunities.
