Fazoli's to Open Restaurant in Wal-Mart

SN STAFF

LEXINGTON, Ky. — Quick-service Italian restaurant operator Fazoli's here said Monday it has agreed to open a 50-seat location inside a Wal-Mart store in St. Louis, marking the first co-location for the two companies.

The 2,000-square-foot restaurant is scheduled to open in January 2011. It is also Fazoli's first location inside a retail store of any kind.

"Fazoli's is very excited about partnering with Wal-Mart, and we are committed to ensuring this first restaurant is extremely successful," said Carl Howard, Fazoli's president and chief executive officer, in a prepared statement.

Fazoli's, which operates about 220 locations, offers fresh-made pasta, pizza, sub sandwiches and salads. It is owned by Sun Capital Partners, the private equity firm that also owns Indianapolis-based Marsh Supermarkets.