• August 11, 2009

Einstein Bros. Bagels plans to continue rapid growth through licensed locations through this year and into 2010, parent company Einstein Noah Restaurant Group has announced.

Much of the growth is coming through licensing by dining management groups such as Aramark, Sodexo, Chartwells and AFFES for locations at colleges, military bases, medical centers, transportation hubs and hotels.

Twelve new licensed stores opened during this year's first half. Locations launched during the second quarter included The University of Texas - El Paso, Georgia Southern University, The University of North Carolina - Charlotte, Fort Erwin (California), Fort Lee (Virginia), Bellarmine University, (Louisville, Ky.) and the National Security Agency offices at Fort George G. Meade (Maryland).

Plans call for adding more than 20 licensed Einstein Bros. stores in the coming months, to bring licensed locations to over 180 by year's end. The brand will also have 500-plus U.S. corporate and franchised stores.--Karlene Lukovitz