May 17, 2012 // Franchising.com // DENVER, COLO. – Denver-based Garbanzo Mediterranean Grill, a fast-casual restaurant concept offering authentic tastes of the Mediterranean, is attending the International Council of Shopping Centers (ICSC) RECon, the world's largest gathering of retail real estate professionals, this year in Las Vegas May 20 – 23.
Garbanzo is currently examining new markets across the country for company-owned and franchise expansion. Some of these areas include Washington D.C., Baltimore, New York State, Connecticut, Southern California, Arizona, Texas and Oklahoma. Garbanzo markets typically have a general population of 50,000 within a two-mile radius of the unit location and a day population of 10,000 within a one-mile radius.
Standard Garbanzo retail unit requirements include a high profile end cap in grocery anchored or regional retail trade areas, as well as a 2,200 – 2,500-square-foot space with a minimum 30-foot frontage and an outdoor patio. Additionally, locations are placed in areas with an average household income of $65,000 plus and 40 percent of the population holding at least a bachelor’s degree.
“We are planning extensive growth in other cities throughout the U.S. over the next 12 to 24 months,” says Alon Mor, Garbanzo founder, president and CEO. “Attending the ICSC RECon is a step toward making the right connections in the markets we are interested in, furthering our exploration of those markets and hopefully identifying prime retail real estate locations for the next Garbanzo restaurants. I am looking forward to making a lot of new contacts at the convention.”
For more information about Garbanzo’s attendance at the ICSC RECon or the concept’s expansion plans, contact Beth Hardy, Garbanzo PR and marketing manager, at (828) 308-6119 or beth.hardy@eatgarbanzo.cm.
With 14 Colorado-based restaurants and franchise markets opening in 2012, Garbanzo offers guests a variety of authentic Mediterranean items with an emphasis on flavor, freshness and quality, as well as 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. All Garbanzo salads and sauces are prepared on-site daily, and the pita are made from scratch throughout the day in every restaurant. Additionally, several ingredients are bought locally and some are imported directly from the Mediterranean region. For more information about Garbanzo, visit www.EatGarbanzo.com.
Garbanzo Mediterranean Grill is owned and operated in Colorado. The company’s founder, Alon Mor, grew up in the Mediterranean region and is a 15-year veteran of owning and running restaurants. St. Louis Bread Company/Panera Bread founder Ken Rosenthal is also co-founder of the company. Garbanzo uses only the freshest, quality ingredients for its made-from-scratch recipes, and provides several vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free options. To learn more about Garbanzo Mediterranean Grill, visit www.EatGarbanzo.com.
Beth Hardy
Garbanzo Mediterranean Grill
(828) 308-6119
beth.hardy@EatGarbanzo.com
Garbanzo Mediterranean Fresh is the leading fast-casual Mediterranean restaurant in America.