Following a three-year hiatus from new franchise expansion, Culver City-based steakhouse operator Sizzler has announced a deal to develop five new Bay Area restaurants and remodel existing sites in Sacramento, Auburn, Pinole, Hayward and Santa Clara.
The agreement marks the first multi-unit deal for the company since CEO Kerry Kramp took over in 2008.
Sizzler also said it also has expansion plans in Chicago, Minneapolis, Denver, Kansas City, and St. Louis.
Under the California deal, restaurateur Tony Lutfi plans to open a new Sizzler in the Bay Area in the next 24 months, while he works to renovate the existing sites. The Sacramento Sizzler targeted for upgrades is at 5815 Madison Ave. and the one in Auburn is at 13570 Lincoln Way
"The relaunch of Sizzler's franchise development is a result of the belief that the brand has broad consumer appeal," Kramp said.
Fifty-three-year-old Sizzler, which once oversaw more than 600 restaurants, struggled in the 1990s and filed for chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in 1996. It re-emerged in 1997 and subsequently closed more outlets before instituting a brand reorganization in 2002. It currently oversees nearly 200 restaurants.
In June last year, the chain was bought by an investors/management group.
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