City Wok Takes North Carolina by Storm

By: City Wok | 2 Shares 131 Reads

August 24, 2007 // Franchising.com // Newport Beach, CA —City Wok, the Southern California based fresh casual Chinese restaurant chain recently signed a multi-unit franchising agreement with local entrepreneur Greg Gala bringing the restaurants to North Carolina. Mr. Gala will open City Wok restaurants in parts of Charlotte and also in the southwest portion of the Raleigh metro. He expects to open his first restaurant in early 2008.

"The Chinese food segment is very hot right now and City Wok is the best I've ever had. The format is 50% carry out and 50% dine in and they enjoy tremendous volumes in relatively small spaces," says Gala. "City Wok is incredibly popular on the west coast and we are confident that North Carolina residents are going to love this concept."

City Wok is co-owned by Fransmart, the Alexandria, Virginia based franchise development company who successfully developed Five Guys Burgers and Fries and zpizza throughout North Carolina. The founders of Fransmart are also responsible for bringing QDOBA to the state.

"I love City Wok so much I invested in it," says Rick Fisher, a Fransmart and City Wok investor who is currently developing several Five Guy Burger and Fries and El Pollo Loco restaurants in the Charlotte area. "It will be a perfect fit for the Charlotte market. I have already opened up my rolodex to our new franchisee and I can't wait for the first unit to open."

City Wok's fresh, made-to-order dishes are prepared using authentic Chinese cooking techniques and recipes, and feature homemade sauces and high quality ingredients. The restaurant is innovative in providing tableside service to complement the speed and value of the typical fast casual concept. In fact, industry publication QSR Magazine recognized City Wok in their "one's to watch" column and Zagat suggests, "There should be one in every neighborhood."

City Wok currently has four locations open in Southern California. Mr. Gala joins two other east coast franchisees already developing City Wok restaurants in Florida.

About City Wok

City Wok, an East-meets-West collaboration created by Stuart Davis, served its first North Hollywood guest in 1990. The dream was a contemporary yet casual restaurant offering authentic, upscale Asian cuisine. Today, extensive carry-out and delivery, innovative half-orders, pleasant decor and quality service make City Wok poised for significant growth nationwide.