Fast-Casual Chain Garbanzo Mediterranean Grill Expanding to Arizona

If there seems to be an increase of pitas, laffas, and kabobs in the Valley over the next few months, look to the northeast -- they're coming from Denver, kind of. See also: - Sam Fox's The Yard, Featuring Culinary Dropout, to Open February 11: Think Live Music, Tetherball, and...

By Laura Hahnefeld

February 12, 2013

[
        {
          "name": "Air - MediumRectangle - Inline Content - Mobile Display Size",
          "component": "18478561",
          "insertPoint": "2",
          "requiredCountToDisplay": "2"
        },{
          "name": "Editor Picks",
          "component": "16759093",
          "insertPoint": "4",
          "requiredCountToDisplay": "1"
        },{
          "name": "Inline Links",
          "component": "17980324",
          "insertPoint": "8th",
          "startingPoint": 8,
          "requiredCountToDisplay": "7",
          "maxInsertions": 25
        },{
          "name": "Air - MediumRectangle - Combo - Inline Content",
          "component": "16759092",
          "insertPoint": "8th",
          "startingPoint": 8,
          "requiredCountToDisplay": "7",
          "maxInsertions": 25
        },{
          "name": "Inline Links",
          "component": "17980324",
          "insertPoint": "8th",
          "startingPoint": 12,
          "requiredCountToDisplay": "11",
          "maxInsertions": 24
        },{
          "name": "Air - Leaderboard Tower - Combo - Inline Content",
          "component": "16759094",
          "insertPoint": "8th",
          "startingPoint": 12,
          "requiredCountToDisplay": "11",
          "maxInsertions": 24
        }
      ]

If there seems to be an increase of pitas, laffas, and kabobs in the Valley over the next few months, look to the northeast -- they're coming from Denver, kind of.

Last week, Garbanzo Mediterranean Grill, a Denver-based fast-casual restaurant concept "offering fresh, healthy, and authentic Mediterranean cuisine," announced it would be expanding into Arizona. The company has awarded franchise development rights to GMG Arizona, LLC for 20 restaurants in the Phoenix and Tucson areas.

So which city gets a Garbanzo's first?

According to the Denver Post, Garbanzo's will open its first location in the East Valley and is also considering locations in Scottsdale, Chandler, Gilbert, and Tempe.

Steve Morris, owner of Garbanzo Mediterranean Grill, tells the Denver Post that "between the warm weather culture of Arizona and Arizona residents' interest in ethnic foods, Garbanzo should be popular."

Follow Chow Bella on Facebook and Twitter and Pinterest.

KEEP NEW TIMES FREE... Since we started New Times, it has been defined as the free, independent voice of Phoenix, and we'd like to keep it that way. Your membership allows us to continue offering readers access to our incisive coverage of local news, food, and culture with no paywalls. You can support us by joining as a member for as little as $1.