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Texas-Sized Growth Plans: Corner Bakery Cafe Announces Plans to More Than Double Its Presence in the Lone Star State

By: Corner Bakery Cafe |  3 Shares     104 Reads

Expansion Plans Include New Franchise Locations in Houston, San Antonio, East Texas and El Paso, Joined By Company-Owned Development in Austin

DALLAS --(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Texas may have just a single lone star, but it will soon boast more than 70 Corner Bakery Cafe locations. Celebrating a strong year of sales, the Dallas-based restaurant chain today announced substantial new growth plans in its home state, with new and existing franchise partners slated to bring more locations to Houston, fuel expansion into San Antonio and East Texas, and add a new cafe in El Paso. And with company-owned locations on the horizon in Austin and greater Central Texas, Corner Bakery Cafe is well on track to more than double its number of locations in Texas, and throughout the U.S., within the next four years.

"We are thrilled by the reception and enthusiasm surrounding the brand in our own home state of Texas," said John LaBarge, vice president of franchise business development at Corner Bakery Cafe. "We already have 22 thriving franchise and company-owned Corner Bakery locations around the state, and the prospect of adding at least 50 additional cafes in the next eight years is very exciting. As the fast-casual segment continues to increase in popularity, we see tremendous opportunity to introduce Corner Bakery Cafe to guests located throughout Texas and in new states from coast-to-coast."

Fairview Capital Management Group, LLC., a Houston-based company, has purchased the two existing and formerly company-owned Corner Bakery Cafe locations in Houston, and will open an additional 19 locations in the Houston area over the next eight years. Led by investors Dr. Ricky G. Caples, Adam G. Beasley and Dr. Jesse H. Roberts III., Fairview Capital partnered with Steve Whiddon, who most recently served as Regional Vice President of Operations for Corner Bakery Cafe.

In the next six years, new Corner Bakery Cafe franchisees Chris and Mariah Pheiffer of Whistler Bakery Group, LLC. will open 11 cafes in the San Antonio area. The Pheiffers are both Culinary Institute of America graduates and have extensive food service backgrounds. Chris's experience includes working for Marriott International where he helped the company develop innovative menus and opened several of its flagship properties within the Americas.

In October, Corner Bakery Cafe announced its partnership with franchisee RKO Bakeries, LLC. of Tyler, Texas. President and Owner Robert Owens, along with his wife, Vice President and Co-Owner Kandi Owens, plan to open eight locations in East Texas and North Louisiana during the next five years. Their first cafe, located in Tyler, Texas, is slated to open in 2011.

Existing Corner Bakery Cafe franchise partner Bakery Ventures I, Ltd. plans to open its second location in El Paso at 655 Sunland Park Drive in late February. Bakery Ventures I, Ltd. and Corner Bakery originally partnered in October 2007 and have plans to open six locations in total.

Furthering a strong commitment to its home state of Texas, Corner Bakery Cafe continues to expand development of company cafes with its first entry into the Austin market. Responding to the increasing interest of Austinites who have long sought after Corner Bakery Cafe, the restaurant's leadership team is exploring company-owned cafe development opportunities in Austin and greater Central Texas. "Austin is a booming market that has long been on our radar," said John LaBarge. "The large student population, presence of young business professionals and strong economy of our state capital make it the perfect place to offer our fast-casual dining experience."

Known for its innovative menu featuring a wide variety of made-to-order egg scramblers and oatmeals for breakfast, flavorful sandwiches, savory panini, homemade soups, signature salads and pastas for lunch and dinner, freshly baked sweets for dessert and an extensive catering menu, Corner Bakery Cafe has been delighting guests nationwide with fresh, handcrafted selections in a welcoming and cozy atmosphere for almost 20 years. Guests can also stay connected with free Wi-Fi.

From a small bread bakery on a corner in downtown Chicago to a national cornerstone of fast casual dining, Corner Bakery Cafe opened its first location in 1991 and now operates 118 locations across the country. In October 2006, CBC Restaurant Corp. launched a strategic franchise development program. One of the most competitive in the industry, the program is designed to attract potential franchise partners who have relevant multi-unit restaurant experience and have received "best-in-class" recognition within the industry.

About Corner Bakery Cafe

Corner Bakery Cafe is a fast-casual restaurant serving breakfast, lunch and dinner to guests in Atlanta, Chicago, Dallas/Fort Worth, Denver, El Paso, Houston, Jackson, Miss., Los Angeles/Orange County, Clifton, NJ, Philadelphia, Phoenix, Salt Lake City, San Diego and Washington D.C. Established in 1991, Corner Bakery Cafe restaurants are owned and operated by CBC Restaurant Corp. with 118 company-owned and franchised locations around the country. Founded on a philosophy of creating a place for people to relax and gather with family and friends, Corner Bakery Cafe offers a casual atmosphere featuring innovative, seasonal menu options ranging from hot breakfasts and signature panini to handcrafted salads, sandwiches and mouthwatering sweets. Corner Bakery Cafe offers dine-in, to-go and catering service for any occasion. Corner Bakery Cafe delivers a premier bakery cafe experience in the heart of neighborhoods everywhere. For more information, visit www.cornerbakerycafe.com, become a fan of the Corner Bakery Cafe Facebook page, or follow Corner Bakery Cafe on Twitter @CornerBakery.

About Fairview Capital Management Group, LLC.

Fairview Capital Management Group, LLC. is comprised of Dr. Ricky G. Caples, Adam G. Beasley, Dr. Jesse H. Roberts III and Steve Whiddon, who most recently served as Regional Vice President of Operations for Corner Bakery Cafe. All four members bring unique backgrounds to the group, including experience in management, business administration, customer relations, investment management, sales and leadership.

About Whistler Bakery Group, LLC.

Whistler Bakery Group, LLC. was founded by Chris and Mariah Pheiffer, industry veterans and graduates of the Culinary Institute of America. Chris's past experience includes with a variety of roles with Marriott International, including the redesign of fine dining menu concepts, working as an Executive Banquet Chef and opening new hotels throughout the Americas. Chris helped open the biggest JW Marriott and Ritz Carlton properties together in Orlando, Fla., called Grande Lakes. Chris was previously the general manager of a large distribution center that serviced convenience stores and military installations, and managed over 400 employees. The Pheiffers are active members of the Alamo Heights community of San Antonio.

About RKO Bakeries, LLC.

Owner and President Robert Owens is an accomplished restaurateur with over 30 years of experience in the restaurant and catering business. Along with wife Kandi, vice president and co-owner, Owens owns and operates the successful upscale family dining establishment, Traditions Restaurant. With a menu featuring a wide variety of items made from scratch and prepared on-site, Traditions Restaurant proudly serves fresh produce, healthy meal options and time-honored comfort foods that are part of every family tradition. Catering by Traditions provides versatile catering services to private and corporate events, as well as serving daily lunches to area schools, industrial plants and corporations. With the newly-acquired franchise partnership, RKO Bakeries, LLC. will also own and operate eight Corner Bakery Cafe locations in East Texas and North Louisiana, which are scheduled to open in the next five years. RKO Bakeries, LLC. is based in Tyler, Texas.

About Bakery Ventures I, Ltd.

Bakery Ventures I, Ltd. was formed in 2007 by partners Mike Verlander, Jim Gore and Tyson Duncan. With over 80 combined years of experience and leadership in the restaurant industry, Verlander and Gore currently own and operate 10 Village Inn Restaurants and 10 Applebee's in West Texas and Southern New Mexico Bakery Ventures I, Ltd. entered into a franchise agreement with Corner Bakery Cafe in October 2007, marking its first foray into fast-casual dining with its planned development of locations in El Paso, Texas, Tucson, Ariz. and Las Cruces, N.M.

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