Shane’s Rib Shack: Strong 2010 Finish

ATLANTA--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Shane’s Rib Shack, the leader in fast casual barbecue, is pleased to announce new franchise agreements totaling more than 50 units, including 25 new stores in Alabama and 20 new stores in Central Florida. The company also opened nine units in 2010 with the most recent opening in Boca Raton, FL, a newly created extended fast-causal concept.

“after improving operations, food quality, and consistency of execution, we are poised and ready for rapid growth. Based on the 'brand rebirth,' we are on the radar screen of multi-unit operators and will continue to complete multiple, multi-store agreements in 2011 and beyond.”

In 2011, Shane’s Rib Shack expects to open approximately 12 units, including six in early 2011 in Athens and Pooler, GA; Birmingham and Mobile, AL and Panama City and Ocala, FL.

Shane’s Rib Shack was purchased by Petrus Brands in January 2009. The founder, Shane Thompson, returned to direct the brand with a clear focus to take it “back to its roots.” Thompson claims that “after improving operations, food quality, and consistency of execution, we are poised and ready for rapid growth. Based on the 'brand rebirth,' we are on the radar screen of multi-unit operators and will continue to complete multiple, multi-store agreements in 2011 and beyond.”

According to Thompson, Shane’s Rib Shack has a focused development strategy which will see the company fill existing core markets and expand to new contiguous markets. Targeted growth markets for 2011 include Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina and Tennessee. In addition, growth plans include expansion with multi-unit operators in major DMA’s east of the Mississippi.

Shane’s Rib Shack offers a variety of footprints to ensure maximum market penetration and saturation points. While the standard Shane’s is between 1,800 to 3,200 square feet, the company also has the flexibility to design less traditional options as small as 600 square feet, including mall, university and airport locations.

About Shane’s Rib Shack

Shane Thompson opened The Original Shack in 2002, in rural McDonough, GA with his grandfather's secret BBQ sauce. Since becoming a franchise in 2004, Shane's Rib Shack has grown to become the country's fastest growing fast-casual barbecue concept featuring signature rib menu items, grilled chicken tenders, smoked wings, half chicken, hand-chopped chicken and pork, as well as a variety of fresh salads and complementary sides.

In 2010, Shane’s Rib Shack was recognized by “Inc. Magazine 5,000” as one of the fastest growing, private companies in America and made Franchise Times “Fast 55 List,” highlighting the very best of the fast casual industry’s over 600 restaurants. Shane’s Rib Shack currently has 64 locations in 13 states, including Arizona, Florida, Georgia, Iowa, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Tennessee, and Virginia. For a complete list of locations and franchise information, please log onto www.shanesribshack.com.