Yard House, which now operates nine locations but will soon beoperating 16, says the new restaurants scheduled to open in 2006will be in Brea, CA; Kansas City, KS; Glendale, AZ and Las Vegas,NV. The Hawaii restaurant is planned for Waikiki on the Island ofOahu.

Founder and CEO Steele Platt says the chain's goal has alwaysbeen to open three to four units per year in lifestyle centerswhere the area is populated by young families, professionalcouples, and upscale singles. The focus of the company's growthplan is to expand "at a steady rate," he says.

Founded in 1996, Yard House calls its concept upscale yetcasual, featuring an extensive menu and one of the world's largestdraft beer systems. Each location features an island bar, atransparent keg room containing more than 600 barrels and some1,000 gallons of beer, and between 130 and 250 beers on tap,depending on the location.