Guthrie's Multi-Unit Franchisees Ink Deal to Expand West

Stephen Galbraith and Matt Dahlhauser have signed a 50-unit development agreement with fast casual chicken brand Guthrie’s. The duo’s Dahlhauser Galbraith Operating Companies, LLC, will expand the concept into western states including Nevada, Idaho, Arizona, New Mexico, and Colorado. Galbraith and Dahlhauser have been with the brand for years and operate five Guthrie’s restaurants in Alabama and Georgia.

“Guthrie’s is exactly the kind of brand that succeeds in the American West thanks to a pioneering and adventurous spirit grounded in mouthwatering tradition,” said Dahlhauser. “While our available territory is large, we’re prioritizing Las Vegas, Reno, and Boise as markets to develop first. Not only will we own and operate new Guthrie’s restaurants in those cities, but we will also actively seek new franchisees to develop additional restaurants across the region.”

The business partners will leverage existing real estate holdings to get units open and operating quickly. Their agreement gives them an option for another 50 locations.

“Our risks are strategic and calculated,” said Galbraith. “There is tremendous opportunity for restaurant expansion in markets such as Las Vegas when you look beyond the bright lights of the Strip or Main Street. There are huge, underserved swaths in cities like Las Vegas, Reno, and Boise, and we believe Guthrie’s will catch fire once people get a chance to taste our food. The real estate we currently own in those markets and the assets we are in the process of acquiring right now give us a distinct advantage when it comes to getting a restaurant up and running very quickly.”