EMERYVILLE, Calif., Sept. 5, 2012 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- FREEBIRDS World Burrito, the fast casual burrito joint with the rock 'n' roll attitude, has named Chris Cheek Vice President, Franchise Development. In this newly created position, Cheek will work to find selective franchisee partners across the country.
FREEBIRDS intends to have no more than two dozen operators in the U.S. that exclusively own their preferred geographic territory. These territories will need to sufficiently support a minimum of 10 FREEBIRDS and will average closer to 40. This past March FREEBIRDS signed its first franchise partner, FB Midwest Development. FB Midwest opened its first location in Mission, Kan. in July and will open three additional FREEBIRDS restaurants by the end of 2012.
"We aren't looking for a lot of franchisees, we just want great ones that can help us build our brand," said FREEBIRDS President Jim Mizes. "Franchising is an important part of our growth, and we are confident Chris can help us find the right partners."
Chris Cheek most recently served as the vice president of franchise development for Le Duff America Inc., with traditional and non-traditional franchising responsibility for Bruegger's bakery-cafés, Timothy's World Coffee, Michel's Bakery Cafes, la Madeleine Country French Café and Brioche Doree. The Le Duff America portfolio of brands represents one of the largest bakery-café organizations in North America. In the past five years, Cheek added numerous new franchise commitments for Bruegger's, Timothy's World Coffee and Michel's Bakery Café. Prior to Le Duff, Cheek served as the vice president for franchise development for Bear Rock Franchise Systems, Inc. Cheek holds a Bachelors of Science in mechanical engineering from North Carolina State University.
ABOUT FREEBIRDS WORLD BURRITO
FREEBIRDS is about awesome burritos (plus burrito bowls, salads, nachos and more) and freedom of choice. As guests join the queue, they are partnered with a team member, known as a "Roller," who helps them choose from four sizes of burrito made from four possible flavors of tortilla. Burritos are hand-rolled with the guest's personal selection from more than 40 freshly prepared ingredients including grass fed beef, hormone-free chicken, or all natural slow roasted carnitas, hand cut veggies, signature Death Sauce and Bad *ss bbq, queso and guacamole. The restaurants have a free-spirited ambience with a rockin' soundtrack, reminiscent of a late-'60s rock 'n' roll roadhouse. It's Not Normal!®
There are 80 FREEBIRDS in Texas, California, Oklahoma and Kansas. For the first time in the brand's 25-year history, FREEBIRDS is looking for franchising partners. For more information visit freebirds.com/franchising.