Eatery Plans Franchise Rollout in NJ, PA

And that expansion effort has its initial franchisee. Owned and operated by RedHawk Food Services, a Middletown, NJ-based company headed by Michael Gallichio, the 3,000-sf eatery is open for business at the Commons at Holmdel, a lifestyle shopping center in nearby Holmdel, NJ. The 3,000-sf unit, which reflects the décor of the original restaurant here, provides the prototype for additional franchised units in the region, according to Gennusa.

"Our intention is to selectively build Zebu Forno into a strong regional brand through a program of controlled growth," says Gennusa, who opened the original eatery in 2001. "The initial locations in Red Bank, one of New Jersey's most thriving downtowns, and the heavily trafficked Commons at Holmdel, are representative of a real estate strategy that will focus on CBD and lifestyle center sites that will provide our franchisees entry to strong traffic throughout the day, seven days a week."

The original unit began as a 1,500-sf storefront on this city's Broad St. and expanded to its current 3,000 sf in 2003 by leasing an adjoining storefront. In addition to its food offerings, Zebu Forno also has such features as flat screen TVs and free Wi-Fi to encourage day-long traffic. The franchise protoype incorporates a refined version of the original, including expanded seating.