Corner Bakery Cafe Brings A Fresh And Healthful Fast Casual Option To The Steel City

Franchise Signs Development Deal with Experienced Real Estate and Restaurant Group to Open Eight Northern Pittsburgh-based Neighborhood Bakery Cafes

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Corner Bakery Cafe

Sep 10, 2015, 06:00 ET

DALLAS, Sept. 10, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- The Pittsburgh restaurant scene has matured and investors are starting to take notice. Corner Bakery Cafe, a fast casual restaurant concept known for its ingredient-inspired menu and neighborhood cafe atmosphere, announces its expansion in Pennsylvania with the addition of eight neighborhood cafes throughout Northern Pittsburgh.

"An emerging local food scene combined with a thriving economy make Pittsburgh the perfect place for Corner Bakery Cafe as we continue to expand our national footprint," explains Gregg Koffler, vice president of franchise sales for Corner Bakery Cafe. "As restaurants continue to open at a rapid pace in Pittsburgh, our customizable menu and strong local team on the ground will differentiate our brand in the market. This is just the first step of our expansion plan as we are seeking additional experienced franchise developers to grow the concept in the southern half of the city."

Bringing the neighborhood cafe franchise to Northern Pittsburgh is a group of experienced franchisees with extensive real estate and retail experience. The trio previously managed and owned several casual dining concepts, making them an ideal franchise group for the brand.

Pittsburgh Development Deal Contributes to Impressive Run

According to Black Box Intelligence, a financial performance benchmarking company, the restaurant industry has posted four consecutive quarters of positive growth, with growth rates above one percent for each of those quarters. Specifically, the fast casual segment sales have dwarfed that of the industry since 2013.

"Our growth is a reflection of the industry. We believe now is the time to grab hold of the momentum behind the fast casual segment. People are choosing to eat out more, particularly at fast casual brands that offer healthy and customizable options," explains Gary Price, president of Corner Bakery Cafe. "In addition to the industry trend, the community aspect of Corner Bakery Cafe really has appealed to consumers and is fueling our growth in towns such as Pittsburgh, which have a strong sense of pride. Our latest franchisee group has vested interests in the city and is excited to offer a community gathering spot for their friends and family."

With more than 190 company-owned and franchise cafes currently open, and franchise agreements representing commitments for 398 units, Corner Bakery Cafe continues its momentum and matches that of the restaurant industry.

With a strong strategic expansion plan in place, Corner Bakery Cafe continues to make significant progress on doubling its national franchisee operated bakery cafe footprint in the next several years. To accomplish this goal, the brand is adding new multi-unit franchisees to develop the concept in growth markets across the country. The most compelling selling points for franchisees include some of the strongest average annual sales volumes in the Fast Casual space, a world class focused leadership team and best-in-class catering. For more information on available Corner Bakery Cafe franchise territories, visit www.CornerBakeryCafe.com/Franchise-Information.

About Corner Bakery Cafe

Corner Bakery Cafe is a fast-casual restaurant serving breakfast, lunch and dinner to guests in 21 states and Washington, D.C. Established in 1991, Corner Bakery Cafe restaurants are owned and operated by CBC Restaurant Corp., with more than 190 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. Offering 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. Corner Bakery Cafe was acquired in 2011 by Roark Capital Group, an Atlanta-based private equity firm that specializes in business and consumer service companies with attractive growth prospects and revenues ranging from $20 million to $1.0 billion. More information on Corner Bakery Cafe franchise opportunities is available at CornerBakeryCafe.com/Franchise-Information. Become a fan of Corner Bakery Cafe on Facebook and on Twitter.

SOURCE Corner Bakery Cafe