Moe’s Southwest Grill expanding to California

Atlanta-based Moe’s Southwest Grill has signed a franchise deal that will expand its Mexican food restaurants to California for the first time, the company said Tuesday.

The deal with HKMII LLC will establish 18 restaurants in Sacramento and Santa Cruz over the next seven years. Financial terms were not disclosed.

The first location, in Sacramento, is expected to open by spring. Thirteen additional locations are planned for the capital city, and four around Santa Cruz. The restaurants eventually will employ about 450 employees, Moe’s said.

“Expanding West is a focal point for us in the upcoming year,” Moe’s President Paul Damico said in announcing the deal. The fast-casual restaurant franchise wants to have 800 locations by the end of 2015. The company currently has 500 locations in the U.S.

Moe’s is owned by Atlanta-based Roark Capital Group, which also owns Corner Bakery Café, Arby’s, Cinnabon, Schlotzsky’s, Auntie Anne’s Pretzel’s, and Carvel Ice Cream.

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Christopher Seward

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