Francesca’s Restaurants Look to Siegel-Gallagher for Expansion Outside of Chicago

Milwaukee, WI, August 28, 2009 --(PR.com)-- John Bergh and Cory Sovine of Siegel-Gallagher recently completed a deal with Francesca’s Restaurants, an 18-unit Italian restaurant chain based in Chicago. As Francesca’s was exploring expansion options in the Midwest, Siegel-Gallagher turned the restaurant’s sights toward Madison.

“Initially, Francesca’s was looking at Indianapolis and St. Louis to locate their first units outside of the Chicago metro area,” said Cory Sovine, Assistant Vice President at Siegel-Gallagher. “Getting them to take a look in Wisconsin was a challenge up front, but a trip to Madison and a prime Capitol Square location convinced them that Madison was where they wanted to be. Francesca’s will be located in the much acclaimed Block 89 project developed by Madison-based Urban Land Interests. They are tremendously excited about the opportunities at this site as well as in Wisconsin as a whole.”

Expect Francesca’s to open the 5,300 square foot Madison location by next spring and subsequently consider sites in Milwaukee for another restaurant. Siegel-Gallagher represented both the tenant and landlord for the transaction.

On its website, www.miafrancesca.com, Scott Harris, founder of Francesca’s Restaurants in 1992, stated, “Each Francesca’s Restaurant stands on its own. The excitement of bringing a new restaurant to life is one of my greatest challenges and thrills. Our success is based on our ability to continually recognize what our customers want, and provide that winning formula. And, as always, consistently provide a remarkable dining experience.”

###