ATLANTA, March 31, 2014 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Huddle House, a full-service family restaurant franchise known for its warm atmosphere, delicious comfort food and value pricing, experienced strong First Quarter franchise growth, closing eight deals to open 15 new restaurants across Georgia, Illinois, New York, Texas and Virginia. In addition, many current and new Huddle House franchise owners are purchasing existing locations to remodel and re-open with the company's refreshed prototype design.

The eight franchise deals for new Huddle House locations, all signed within the past 90 days, will result in 10 new restaurants in Long Island, NY; one new restaurant in Hahira, Georgia; one in Mount Vernon, IL; one in Forney, TX; one in Newport News, VA and one in Virginia Beach, VA. Company executives say that several more are in the pipeline to be announced in the near future.

At 384 units and growing, Huddle House executives attribute much of the recent interest in the brand to a new 'Evolution' prototype introduced last year, which features a signature tower entrance, plush seating, contemporary furniture and vibrant lighting. Management is happy to report that the remodeled locations are experiencing significant comp sales increases.

To expedite the restaurant redesigns, Huddle House set aside $2.5 million to incentivize the first 100 franchise partners to commit to a restaurant remodel by July 31, 2014. Those franchise partners receive financial support to help offset the costs of the remodel and for local marketing efforts. Currently, 21 percent of the Huddle House franchise system has the new Evolution look. By the end of this year, the company expects 30 percent of the system to be remodeled. With an aggressive approach, the entire franchise system could be remodeled by the end of 2019.

The remodel initiative has attracted interest organically within the Huddle House franchise system, as well as from external candidates. In fact, also during First Quarter 2014, an existing Huddle House owner purchased two existing locations to remodel and re-open in South Carolina (James Island and Monck's Corner), and a new franchise owner purchased an existing restaurant to remodel in Savannah, GA.

"By all definitions, we had a strong First Quarter, putting us in a positive mindset to celebrate our 50 years in business," said CDO Jonathan Benjamin. "The positive changes to our menu and our restaurant design are enhancing the guest experience and creating optimism among franchisees. We're confident of continued growth this year and beyond."

ABOUT HUDDLE HOUSE

Huddle House, Inc., a full-service family restaurant franchise, is known for serving "Any Meal. Any Time." in communities around the country. The Huddle House menu offers a variety of comfort food items, including signature Big House breakfast and sandwich platters and favorites such as country fried steak with green beans and marinated grilled chicken with sweet potato fries. The core values on which Huddle House was founded in 1964 – serving quality food in a warm, friendly environment that brings the community together – remain intact today. Typically open 24-hours, Huddle House serves breakfast, lunch and dinner all day. The Atlanta-based, 400-unit franchise is located in 21 states, primarily in the Southeast, Central, Midwest and Southwest United States. For more information, please call 1-800-868-5700 or visit www.huddlehouse.com.