Ten Store Deal Brings Fast-Casual Middle Eastern Concept to Central
Indiana
CHICAGO–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Naf Naf, the rapidly growing fast-casual Middle Eastern restaurant
concept, is proud to announce the signing of its first ten store
exclusive area development deal for Central Indiana with Indianapolis
based early-stage investment company, 316 Investments, through its
affiliate Fan the Flame LLC. This ten-store deal will expand the Naf
footprint to the cities of Indianapolis, Bloomington, Lafayette, Fort
Wayne and beyond.
316 affiliated companies, owned by business associates and Carmel and
Indianapolis residents Greg Willman and Phil Salsbery, have a lengthy
and well-respected tenure of operating and advising within the
restaurant space. Among its many successful business ventures, 316
Investments was one of the first developers and operators of Qdoba
Mexican Grill Restaurants and at one point were the largest franchisee
in that system with stores throughout Indiana and South Carolina. In
addition, 316 Investments also developed and operated Steak n Shake
locations in South Carolina prior to a successful exit from that brand.
Along with its restaurant-related initiatives, 316 affiliate companies
also develop retail real estate nationwide for tenants like Starbucks
and Chipotle, and also manage a portfolio of early stage venture
investments focused primarily on technology and health care related
start-ups.
“We are thrilled to be the first franchise developer for Naf Naf. The
concept is right on trend and we’re looking forward to bringing Naf’s
authentic middle eastern flavors to Central Indiana,” said Greg Willman,
Co-Founder, 316 Investments. “Getting involved early with this
development opportunity is very exciting and reminiscent of what Phil
and I did with Qdoba in the very early days of that successful brand.”
“Franchising is a critical component of our growth strategy and I am
thrilled to welcome Greg, Phil and the entire 316 Investments team as
the inaugural franchisee to the Naf family,” said Paul Damico, CEO of
Naf Naf. “We are lucky to partner with such a dynamic duo with deep
category operating experience on this first and exclusive area
development deal in Indiana. We see a long and prosperous future in this
partnership and look forward to what’s to come.”
Driving Naf Naf’s next phase of growth, Naf Naf also brought on David
Vernon, a 30-year industry veteran as the company’s Vice President of
Franchise Sales. In this newly created role, Vernon is overseeing the
development and growth of Naf Naf’s franchising and expansion
initiatives.
Vernon joins the Naf Naf team from Wingstop where he was Chief
Development Officer. Under his leadership, Wingstop grew from 470
restaurants to over 1,000. Prior to Wingstop, Vernon was the Vice
President, Franchise Sales at Sonic Drive-In where he expanded the brand
from 1,500 restaurants to more than 3,000.
For more information about becoming a Naf Naf franchisee, visit
nafnafgrill.com or email us at [email protected].
ABOUT NAF NAF MIDDLE EASTERN GRILL
Naf Naf was founded in 2009 and is the premium destination for fresh,
authentic Middle Eastern food. Oven baked pitas, hand cut salads and
freshly prepared sauces all serve as an accompaniment to award-winning
shawarma and falafel. Naf Naf is a fast-casual restaurant with 37
locations (Illinois, Minnesota, New Jersey, Ohio, Pennsylvania,
Washington D.C. and Wisconsin) and more under development. Naf Naf has
received industry acclaim, being named one of the top 40 hottest startup
fast causal restaurants by QSR Magazine, a Top 100 Movers and
Shakers by Fast Casual for two years in a row, and a 2016 Hot
Concept by Nation’s Restaurant News. For more information, please
visit http://www.nafnafgrill.com
and to learn more about franchising opportunities at https://nafnafgrill.com/franchise.
Follow Naf Naf on Facebook
Follow
Naf Naf on Instagram
Follow
Naf Naf on Twitter
Contacts
Media Contact:
Emily Wilson Sawyer
310.496.4442
[email protected]
Brand Contact:
Stacey Murray, VP of Brand, Naf Naf
312.953.4007
[email protected]
