Noble Roman’s, Inc. (OTCBB: NROM), the Indianapolis based franchisor of Noble Roman’s Pizza and Tuscano’s Italian Style Subs, today announced that it signed an agreement for a new, stand-alone take-n-bake prototype.
The agreement was concluded on July 19, 2012 with an existing, independent Noble Roman’s franchisee and calls for three units initially in the Plainfield, Brownsburg and Avon markets in central Indiana, which are all adjacent to Indianapolis on the west side. Site location work has already begun for the first unit, which could open in the third quarter, 2012.
The Noble Roman’s Take-n-Bake concept will feature the chain’s popular hand-tossed style pizza, Sicilian pizza and famous breadsticks with spicy cheese sauce, all in a convenient cook-at-home format. Additional menu items will include such items as fresh salads, cookie dough, cinnamon rounds, bake-able pasta, cheesy sticks and more.
According to officials at Noble Roman’s, the company’s new take-n-bake pizza design grew out of the rising popularity of take-n-bake generally, the company’s success in licensing over 1,250 groceries nationwide to carry Noble Roman’s take-n-bake pizza, and the company’s existing reputation for fun, great tasting pizza. The Noble Roman’s stand-alone take-n-bake unit will require only 900 to 1,200 square feet with a minimal amount of equipment and build-out relative to a regular quick-service restaurant, resulting in a much lower investment cost. Additionally, the company anticipates that the take-n-bake unit will require less labor and other operating costs, such as utilities, making it simpler and more affordable to operate.
Noble Roman’s says it has no intention of deviating from its current plans and focus to grow its existing base of grocery take-n-bake locations as well as its other non-traditional franchise locations in such venues as convenience stores, travel plazas, entertainment facilities, attractions and other locations conducive to foodservice. So far this year, the company has signed 254 additional licensing agreements for grocery stores, and 25 additional agreements for non-traditional franchises.