Restaurant franchise company prepares for push into region

A California company is beginning to scout northern Nevada for locations for three restaurant franchises.

GJT Inc. of Glendale, Calif., plans to develop as many as 50 restaurants statewide.

It holds the area development rights in Nevada for the Taco Time, Great Steak & Potato Co., and Johnnie's NY Pizzeria concepts. The brands are owned by Kahala Corp. of Scottsdale, Ariz.

"Our priority is to find interested and dedicated individuals and expand the concepts to the state of Nevada," said Siranush Davtian, the chief executive officer of GJT Inc.

She said the company hopes to move quickly in Reno and Carson City because it believes the two cities have both the population growth and the tourist traffic to support the fast-food concepts.

The company will be looking for sites in the range of 1,200 to 1,500 square feet, Davtian said. Possibilities include space in retail centers, casinos and airports.

The company doesn't have a specific number of stores it plans to open in northern Nevada, nor does it have a development timetable.

Davtian said the restaurants typically open within about six months after lease and franchise documents are signed.