He plans to open two other units at an estimated 5,000 sf later this year or first quarter 2003 on Semoran Boulevard near Orlando International Airport and at another undetermined Central Florida location. The total hard cost investment for the estimated total 17,000 sf at the three restaurants is expected to be around $1 million, construction industry estimators familiar with comparable projects tell GlobeSt.com on condition of anonymity.

Fakieh has hired Armando Nunez as general manager of his United States operations which will be based in Orlando. Nunez successfully tested the Chicago market for four years before setting up the first Orlando outlet. He is a former Central European human resources executive at McDonald's Corp.

Nunez couldn't be reached for comment at GlobeSt.com's publication deadline. But retail brokers familiar with fast-food operations tell GlobeSt.com the chain plans to sell franchises at an undetermined fee and royalty plan in about 18 months. The product is charcoal-grilled marinated chicken.

Fast-food chains in all categories, along with other retail product, will continue to grow here, John M. Crossman, senior vice president/retail services director, Trammell Crow. Co., Orlando, tells GlobeSt.com.

"The majority of small shop tenants and outparcel users have normal expansion plans for 2002," Crossman says. "It certainly doesn't feel like a recession…yet."