"This is an aggressive expansion we're experiencing," Kelly Hampton, senior vice president of Dallas-based Venture Commercial Real Estate LLC, tells GlobeSt.com. "We're being very selective--high-profile trade areas and high-profile intersections." And, he labels it as the biggest push since the bagel wars of 1999 and 2000. Einstein Bros.' triple play bumps its total to 18 locations in Dallas/Fort Worth.

Meanwhile, Junaid Akbar, president of Twins S&Z and a Dunkin' Donut franchisee in Florida, has secured Einstein Bros.' rights to Collin and Grayson counties in North Texas. All corporate and franchise stores are slated to roll out in the next two years, according to Hampton.

Interior Finish-Out

In late November, Einstein's will cut the ribbon at 3220 E. Hebron Pkwy., a 14,500-sf unnamed strip center at the corner of Park Boulevard and Midway Road in Carrollton. And, the third lease is waiting a final signature, but it will add a bagel shop to a center at Belt Line Road and Interstate 635 in Irving's Las Colinas.

"Einstein's is opening in select big markets in the country. Dallas/Fort Worth is one of our best DNAs in the company," Hampton asserts. "It's one of our best markets."