"This is an aggressive expansion we're experiencing," KellyHampton, senior vice president of Dallas-based Venture CommercialReal Estate LLC, tells GlobeSt.com. "We're being veryselective--high-profile trade areas and high-profileintersections." And, he labels it as the biggest push since thebagel wars of 1999 and 2000. Einstein Bros.' triple play bumps itstotal to 18 locations in Dallas/Fort Worth.

Meanwhile, Junaid Akbar, president of Twins S&Z and aDunkin' Donut franchisee in Florida, has secured Einstein Bros.'rights to Collin and Grayson counties in North Texas. All corporateand franchise stores are slated to roll out in the next two years,according to Hampton.

[IMGCAP(2)]Hampton says Einstein's new stores will be 3,200 sf,all secured by 10-year leases and sporting drive-through windows.Opening by year's end is an end-cap shop in the 235,000-sf PrestonLebanon Crossing at 9200 Lebanon Rd. in Frisco. Theunder-construction 7,000-sf building will be shared by MooyahBurgers & Fries.