DALLAS — Corner Bakery Cafe has signed a five-restaurant deal in Virginia with franchise partner Shahid Ali and operating partner Ibo Pinar. Mr. Ali owns three Popeyes Louisiana Kitchens in the Mid-Atlantic region and plans to open five Corner Bakery Cafe neighborhood cafes throughout Richmond and Fredericksburg, joining the company as its 34th franchise partner.

“Ali’s franchise expertise and reputation precedes him with his current success in the industry,” said Gregg Koffler, vice-president of franchise sales for Corner Bakery Cafe. “We are confident he will do the same for our brand in northern Virginia. His leadership skills and commitment to his franchise investments make him the perfect partner to bring Corner Bakery Cafe to the state. With Shahid and Ibo’s experience, coupled with the success of our corporate cafes in the Mid-Atlantic region, our future in Virginia looks very bright.”

Corner Bakery Cafe is in the midst of an expansion program, with plans to double its national footprint in the next two years. To accomplish this goal, the company said it is adding new multi-unit franchise partners to pioneer the concept in growth markets across the country.