Quiznos Expands International Growth Strategy into Brazil

By: Quiznos | 3 Shares 123 Reads

Partnership Leverages Strengthening Economy, Growing Consumer Trend Toward Eating Out

DENVER--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Quiznos, one of the nation's premier quick service restaurant (QSR) chains and pioneer of the toasted sandwich, today announced a master franchise agreement has been signed to open the first Quiznos locations in Brazil as part of the company's international development initiative. Expansion plans call for the development of 200 Quiznos restaurants in the North, Northeast and Midwest of Brazil over the life of the agreement. Seven Quiznos locations will open in Brazil by the end of the year, with the first set to open this fall.

Quiznos partnered with master franchiser Brazil Best Food Inc. (BBF) for its initial Brazil development. BBF has been involved in fine dining and retail and have been major franchisees of several different concepts in Brazil.

"Quiznos enjoys an excellent reputation worldwide, and this has led to the tremendous success of our international expansion," said Lee Vala, chief international development officer for Quiznos. "We are pleased to attract top development talent in each country we've entered, and this extends to our partnership with BBF in Brazil. BBF brings a wealth of experience and understanding of the food business, and we look forward to making Brazil a significant growth area for Quiznos."

BBF is well positioned in the real estate sector, which will facilitate excellent site options in high-visibility, high-traffic locations for the new Quiznos restaurants in Brazil.

In further support for the Quiznos/BBF partnership, the foodservice sector in Brazil continues to experience rapid growth. Foodservice currently accounts for 2.4 percent of Brazil's gross domestic product, and a growing preference toward eating out now accounts for 26 percent of Brazilians' spending on food.

"Along with a growing economy in Brazil, there is a rapidly emerging market niche for a fast, warm lunch," said Luiz Antonelli, president of Brazil Best Food Inc. "Quiznos' colorful ambiance and warm, toasted sandwiches are well-suited for Brazilian tastes. This compatibility of flavors and tastes, combined with Quiznos' exemplary training program, executive accessibility, flexibility in menu development and operational excellence, make Quiznos the ideal partner for us in Brazil."

Store menus in Brazil will feature items unique to the Brazilian market, reflecting the rich mix of cultures found in Brazil. Quiznos SVP of Culinary Innovation Chef Zach Calkins will travel to Brazil to work with the BBF team to develop local menu enhancements.

Over the next few years, Quiznos plans to grow the brand's international footprint to more than 40 countries and territories, with target markets in Central and South America, Europe, the Middle East, and Southeast Asia. The company's recently announced expansion into Southern India and Kuwait will commence with the opening flagship stores in both countries in the next 30 days.

ABOUT QUIZNOS

Now in its 30th year, Denver-based Quiznos is a national and international chain designed for today's busy consumers who are looking for a tasty, freshly prepared alternative to traditional fast-food restaurants. Using premium ingredients, Quiznos restaurants offer creative, chef-inspired recipes for sandwiches, soups and salads.

CNN Money ranked toasty sub pioneer Quiznos as the No. 2 most popular franchise of the past decade in 2010. In 2009, Quiznos' Toasty Torpedoes® earned a spot as one of the top 10 new product introductions from the Most Memorable New Product Launch Survey. Also in 2009, QSR Magazine ranked Quiznos No. 19 overall in its Top 50 Chains in system-wide sales. In October 2007, Quiznos was recognized for leading the QSR industry in wait time performance by the Mystery Shopping Providers Association's (MSPA) 2007 Wait Time Study. In May 2007, Zagat's consumer surveys listed Quiznos in the top 5 for Top Food, Top Facilities, Top Service and Top Overall, ahead of its direct competitors. For further information, please visit www.quiznos.com.

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