Fox, Briad to expand Zinburger in EastFox, Briad to expand Zinburger in East

Ron Ruggless

The Briad Group has signed a licensing agreement with Fox Restaurant Concepts for rights to develop Zinburger units in the 23 states east of the Mississippi River, the company said.

The Briad Group, based in Livingston, N.J., has one Zinburger Wine & Burger Bar in Clifton, N.J., which opened in December 2010.

Scottsdale, Ariz.-based Fox Restaurant Concepts debuted its first Zinburger restaurant in Tucson, Ariz., in December 2007. It owns and operates two additional Zinburgers in Arizona.

“With the incredible success of the Clifton location and the Fox-owned locations in Arizona, we feel Zinburger is the right concept for growth opportunities now and in the future,” Brad Honigfeld, chief executive officer of The Briad Group, said in a statement.

Briad will initially focus on developing Zinburger in the Mid-Atlantic and Northeast states, the company said.

“The success of the Clifton restaurant has demonstrated that this brand is resonating extremely well in that market, and also shows there is an open market for a gourmet burger concept like ours,” Sam Fox, chief executive officer of Fox Restaurant Concepts, said in a statement.

Zinburger offers gourmet burgers and paired wine selections. The wine menu includes 21 varieties affordably priced from $5 to $15 a glass.
Signature burgers include the Zinburger (with Manchego cheese and Zinfandel-braised onions) and the Kobe Burger (with Vermont Cheddar cheese and wild mushrooms).

A dessert menu features eight hand-dipped milkshakes and floats as well as banana cream pie. The Zinburger unit in Clifton also has a full bar and offers weekday happy hour specials.

In addition to Zinburger, Fox Restaurant Concepts has such brands as Blanco, Bloom, Culinary Dropout, The Greene House, ModernSteak, North, Olive & Ivy, Sauce, True Food Kitchen and Wildflower. It has 31 restaurants in Arizona, California, Colorado, Kansas and Texas.

The Briad Group is the largest T.G.I. Friday's franchisee in the United States, and also franchises the Wendy's, Marriott and Hilton brands. The Briad Group also created, operates and franchises its own proprietary CUPS Frozen Yogurt That’s Hot brand.

EARLIER: Briad to grow Cups Frozen Yogurt Your Way concept

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