BURLINGTON, Vt., Dec. 27, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Bruegger's Bagels, a fast-casual chain known for its New York-style bagels baked fresh in every location, has announced plans for aggressive expansion in Nashville, Tenn., Tallahassee, Fla., and Huntsville, Ala.

The planned expansion will open up new opportunities for potential franchisees in markets already proven successful for the brand.

"All three of our focus cities have a strong economy, and our corporate locations in these markets have a loyal following," said Bruegger's Bagels President David Austin. "We are eager to find franchise partners who will take advantage of this great opportunity to advance their own enterprise and continue Bruegger's Bagels' positive growth in the region."

Interested franchisees also will have the opportunity to operate existing company-owned bakeries in each of the three cities. The company is seeking experienced restaurateurs or owner-operators for its partners, to ensure that each Bruegger's Bagels bakery delivers the food quality and neighborhood atmosphere that have brought the chain success for nearly 30 years.

Citing "favorable sales-to-investment ratios, unique market niches, positive sales trends, and formidable corporate support," QSR Magazine named Bruegger's Bagels to its Top 10 Franchise Deals earlier this year, the only bakery-cafe concept on the list. Additionally, Franchise Business Review (FBR) ranked the chain in the top 50 franchise opportunities in the large systems category, based on ratings given by current Bruegger's Bagels franchisees.

Groupe Le Duff, the world's second-largest company in the bakery-cafe sector, acquired Bruegger's Bagels through its U.S. affiliate, Le Duff America, in 2011, setting the stage for aggressive growth in the next few years. With more than 300 locations in the U.S., the company's goal is to expand by 35 percent over the next three years to more than 400 units through a combination of new franchisees and corporate unit growth.

"With Bruegger's strong corporate backing, excellent franchisee satisfaction and the fact that fast casual is the fastest-growing segment of the restaurant industry, Bruegger's represents an excellent opportunity for single- and multi-unit operators," said Le Duff America Chief Development Officer Paul Carolan.

Bruegger's Bagels is the only bagel bakery chain in the country that fresh-bakes New York-style bagels in each of its locations, using the same recipe developed nearly 30 years ago by company founders. Everything on the menu is handcrafted, including the bakery's New York-style bagels baked fresh on-site each day, its signature made-in-Vermont cream cheese, and its custom-made breakfast and lunch sandwiches and salads.

About Bruegger's Enterprises, Inc.
Bruegger's Enterprises, Inc. (BEI), a leader in the fast-casual restaurant segment, operates 304 Bruegger's Bagels bakeries in North America. Renowned for its award-winning bagels, Bruegger's offers a wide variety of freshly prepared breakfast and lunch options made with high-quality, simple ingredients served with its unique brand of hospitality. Bruegger's is dedicated to the communities it serves and supports charitable causes locally and nationally. BEI's parent company, Groupe Le Duff, SA, is the world's second-largest company in the bakery-cafe sector. Founded in 1983, BEI is headquartered in Burlington, Vt. For more information, please visit www.brueggers.com or become a fan on Facebook at www.facebook.com/brueggers.

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SOURCE Bruegger’s Bagels