SOUTHFIELD, Mich., Nov. 29, 2011 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Diversified Restaurant Holdings, Inc. (OTCBB:DFRH), the owner, operator, and franchisor of Bagger Dave's Legendary Burger Tavern® ("Bagger Dave's"), announced plans to open their first franchised location in March 2012. The first franchised restaurant will debut in Cape Girardeau, Mo. in the Town Plaza shopping center at 2106 William Street, and is the first of six locations set to open over the next five years by local business partners who currently operate six area-Buffalo Wild Wings (BWW) restaurants. This is the first Bagger Dave's location set to open outside the state of Michigan, where six corporately-owned locations exist.
"This is a significant step for the growth of Bagger Dave's," said Michael Ansley, President and CEO of Diversified Restaurant Holdings. "We've spent the last three years perfecting the product and operations in our corporate-owned stores and we are more than ready to expand via franchising."
The Cape Girardeau location is one of up to 24 total locations—either corporately owned or franchised—that are planned to open over the next five years. Targeted markets for growth also include Michigan, Ohio, Indiana, Wisconsin, Kentucky, and Illinois.
About Diversified Restaurant Holdings
Diversified Restaurant Holdings, Inc. ("DRH") is the owner, operator, and franchisor of the unique, full-service, ultra-casual restaurant and bar Bagger Dave's Legendary Burger Tavern® ("Bagger Dave's") and is a leading Buffalo Wild Wings® ("BWW") franchisee. Between the two concepts, the Company currently operates 28 restaurants in Michigan and Florida.
Bagger Dave's offers a full-service, family-friendly restaurant and bar with a casual, comfortable atmosphere. The menu features freshly-made burgers (never frozen), accompanied by more than 30 toppings from which to choose, fresh-cut fries, hand-dipped milkshakes, and a selection of craft beer and wine. Signature items include Sloppy Dave's BBQ®, Train Wreck Burger®, and Bagger Dave's Amazingly Delicious Turkey Black Bean Chili®. The Bagger Dave's concept emphasizes local flair by showcasing historical photos of the city in which each restaurant resides and features an electric train that runs above the dining room and bar areas. Currently, there are six corporate-owned locations in the state of Michigan and an executed area development agreement to franchise six Bagger Dave's in five states outside of Michigan. DRH is approved to franchise Bagger Dave's in the states of Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Missouri, Ohio, and Wisconsin. For more information, visit www.baggerdaves.com.
DRH operates 22 BWW restaurants (14 in Michigan and eight in Florida). The Company continues to build new BWW restaurants in fulfillment of its 32 store Area Development Agreement ("ADA") with franchisor Buffalo Wild Wings, Inc (NASDAQ: BWLD). This agreement, in addition to six BWW restaurants opened prior to the ADA, suggests that the Company will operate 38 BWW restaurants in Michigan and Florida in 2017.