This year the company will open 11 new units in the US –six inexisting markets and five in new ones. In addition, its$14.3-million acquisition of Vancouver, BC-based BoathouseRestaurants is expected to close in mid-March. A majority of thenew domestic restaurant units will open in the final quarter ofthis year.

The "backloading of new openings," Douglas Schmick, chairman andCEO, said during a conference call, "takes place in lifestyledevelopments in which developers may be a little behind ondevelopment. Then they try to open for the holiday season, so ourunits fall into the November/December scheme."

The Boathouse acquisition marks the locally based restaurateur'sentry into Canada. There are five Boathouse units in operation anda sixth is under construction, scheduled to open in mid-July.During the conference call, Emanuel Hilario, CFO and VP of finance,said the five Boathouse units now produce $19 million in annualrevenues.