Brunch lunch chain bites into Carolinas

First Watch, through a new franchise agreement, plans to open a dozen locations in Charlotte, N.C. and the Columbia, Greenville and Spartanburg, S.C. markets in the next five years.

The east Manatee County-based breakfast, brunch and lunch chain signed a franchise development agreement with Good Morning Carolinas LLC, a subsidiary of Houston Pizza Venture, according to a release. Houston Pizza Venture currently operates more than 85 restaurants, the release adds, including Papa John's, Genghis Grill, Surefire Tacos and Firehouse Subs.

Houston Pizza Venture, founded in 1994 by Pizza Hut co-founder Frank Carney and the late Jack Laughery, former CEO and chairman of Hardee's, is one of the largest Papa John's franchises in the system. It has been awarded Papa John's Franchise of the Year twice and Operator of the Year once. Houston Pizza Venture is now led by Keith Sullins, onetime vice president of people and communications at Waffle House.