Lexington, KY — Fazoli’s has debuted its first unit in a travel plaza, marking an additional direction for the popular premium Italian quick-service restaurant chain.

Par Mar Stores, a division of Par Mar Oil Co., the franchisee, has agreed to open two more Fazoli’s at other travel plazas in West Virginia and Ohio within the next 2 years. The new store, which celebrated its grand opening April 5, is located at an interstate exit near Fairmont, W. Va. It seats 38, is about 1,800 square feet and offers dining-in, carryout and drive-thru services.

Travel centers similar to this one present a major growth opportunity for Fazoli’s, the nation’s largest quick-service Italian chain, says Carl T. Howard, president and chief executive officer.

“Travel centers are changing, and consumers are using them differently. They are not just off the freeway anymore, as more petroleum owners are expanding their locations, both freeway and intercity, to include retail and foodservice,” Howard says.

Sandra Morgenstern, Par Mar president and chief operating officer, said the company is looking into the possibility of adding more Fazoli’s units in some of the 50 travel centers where it operates. Fazoli’s also has a three-unit development agreement with travel center operator CCreations, LLC of New Whiteland, Ind. The first one is scheduled to open later this year in the Indianapolis market.

Founded in 1988, Fazoli’s now numbers more than 217 restaurants and is expanding in selected markets around the United States. Sun Capital Partners acquired the company in 2006.