November 7, 2012 – The company that owns more than 50 Bar Louie restaurants, including one in River North, has announced ambitious expansion plans. BL Restaurant Operations, LLC says it will add more than 20 locations starting next year.

According to a news release on Monday, the growth will come from a combination of franchises as well as company-owned locations.

Bar Louie added 17 locations in 2011. Its 51st in River North opened on February 1, 2012. The company has most recently expanded to Pittsburgh, St. Louis, Tampa, and Washington D.C.

CEO John Neitzel says his company will continue to seek “second generation spaces,” locations that have had at least one previous tenant. Besides being less costly to build, Neitzel says it helps them “avoid a standard prototype.”

The company, based in the Dallas suburb of Addison, has also added a vice president of franchise development. P. J. Evans has developed franchises for Corner Bakery, Go Roma, Noodles & Company, and Panera Bread.