Quiznos on Tuesday announced an aggressive international expansion and said it has appointed a new chief executive to lead the sandwich chain.
The Denver-based franchise operation plans to open 175 restaurants in Brazil and 100 in India over the next 10 years. Another deal to add more outlets in India is under negotiation.
Earlier this year, Quiznos announced a plan for 60 to 70 restaurants each in Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates.
Quiznos also said Tuesday that Dave Deno will become chief executive Sept. 30.
Deno, now president of Quiznos, succeeds Greg Brenneman, who will become chairman of CCMP Capital Advisors LLC, an investment firm with a stake in Quiznos.
Deno, 51, said the newly announced international deals, combined with possible expansions into Singapore, Chile, Ecuador and other markets, could add at least 500 overseas restaurants in the next two years.
The chain’s franchisees now operate 4,491 outlets in the U.S. and 624 in other countries or regions, including Canada, Central America, the United Kingdom, Korea and the Middle East.
Deno said overseas restaurants typically are stronger performers than domestic locations because they face less competition from other sandwich chains.
Menus at foreign Quiznos contain about 80 percent of the standard fare. The remaining 20 percent typically consists of items specific to each country, such as local breads, meats or seafood.
Quiznos is a defendant in several lawsuits from franchisees who claim that the chain engaged in unfair business practices and failed to provide enough support to franchise-owned outlets.
Deno said Quiznos is making “significant progress” in resolving the legal issues. He said franchisees have benefited from the chain’s recent offering of food delivery and catering.
Deno has 25 years of experience in the restaurant industry, including stints with the corporate owners of Pizza Hut, Burger King and PepsiCo.
Steve Raabe: 303-954-1948 or sraabe@denverpost.com
Dave Deno file
Current position: Quiznos president
New position: Becomes chief executive Sept. 30
Age: 51
Experience: Managing director of investment firm CCMP Capital Advisors, executive positions with Burger King, Pizza Hut and PepsiCo owners.
What he says
“Every person has his own management style, but with me there will be no big U-turns.”
