Miami and Palm Beach, Fla. — Lime Fresh Mexican Grill, a vibrant fast-casual restaurant concept serving creative Mexican food, will expand its presence in South Florida. Two existing franchise groups will each develop three to five restaurants in their respective markets, totaling six to 10 new restaurants in South Florida over the next 5 years.
restaurants
Boston — Ufood Grill has signed an agreement with NEXTEP SYSTEMS to install self-order kiosks at all new locations, effective immediately. The UFood Grill executive team recently debuted the interactive kiosk at the 2016 International Franchise Expo in New York City and received a wonderful reception from attendees.
Los Angeles — Umami Burger has partnered with Japan-based Medeiros Holdings Co., Ltd., to open 10 Umami Burger restaurants across Japan over the next 5 years. The agreement is Umami Burger’s first expansion outside the United States. The first restaurant is expected to open in Tokyo by the end of 2016 with future locations to follow in Kanagawa, Osaka, Aichi, Hyogo, Kyoto and Fukuoko prefectures.
Costa Mesa, Calif. — El Pollo Loco, a leading fire-grilled chicken chain, has signed a franchise development deal with new franchise partner PLM Restaurants L.C., which will open six new restaurants by August 2019 in the Tucson, Ariz., area. In addition, PLM Restaurants has also completed the acquisition of two existing El Pollo Loco restaurants in the Tucson market.
Lake Forest, Calif. — Johnny Rockets has opened its first drive-thru restaurant in the country at LangTree Lake Norman in Mooresville, N.C. The brand is the first quick-casual restaurant chain to have a drive-thru and will open additional drive-thrus later this year.