Moe’s To Debut In Russia

It will be chips and salsa in St. Petersburg when Moe’s Southwest Grill debuts in Russia later this year. Glaventer Investments LTD will open 50 Moe’s locations in Russia over the next 10 years; the first store should open in Moscow in a few months. The fast-casual chain made its first overseas foray in 2011, when it signed an international deal for 40 restaurants in Turkey.

Moe’s has 444 locations in 32 states; the majority of units are in Southern states. The 12-year-old privately held chain has been part of Atlanta-based Focus Brands since `07. Focus is a global franchisor of more than 3,300 Carvel Ice Cream, Cinnabon, Schlotzsky’s and Auntie Anne’s locations, in addition to Moe’s.