Bennigan’s to open restaurants in India

Bennigan’s Franchising Co. has struck a deal to open new restaurants in India, the company said this week.

Dallas-based Bennigan’s signed a master development agreement with Suri Hospitality International of Orlando, Fla., to open as many as 50 units in India. The companies expect the first restaurant to open in Mumbai in spring 2014.

The development agreement includes the brand’s traditional casual-dining format and a fast-casual version the company is calling Bennigan’s on the Fly, which is intended for airports, hotels, hospitals, cruise ships, universities and other venues.

A spokesman for Bennigan’s said the company is looking to open a version of the nontraditional format soon.

"Bennigan’s is one of the few American brands that is just as popular overseas as it is at home,” Paul Mangiamele, Bennigan's president and chief executive, said. The brand currently has about 45 international units and 30 domestic units.

“We are convinced…that Bennigan’s restaurant concepts will be enthusiastically embraced in India,” Nik Patel, owner of Suri Hospitality International, said in a statement.

Patel also owns Alena Hospitality, a hotel and restaurant investment company.

In addition to opening several new U.S. restaurants this year, the company has opened franchised international units in Dubai; Larnaca, Cyprus; and Veracruz, Mexico, the company said.

Contact Ron Ruggless at [email protected].
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