Midwest charm and southern hospitality collide with the latest franchise deal for Big Whiskey’s American Restaurant & Bar. A recently signed two-store deal will land Big Whiskey’s in sweet home Alabama; right in the heart of Birmingham in 2018.

Brothers first, investors second, Amaan and Zunaid Porbandarwala are no strangers to the franchising world. They currently own three Great Clips locations in the Birmingham, Alabama, market in addition to multiple Sneaky Pete’s Hotdogs and various convenience stores, also in the Birmingham area.

“We were looking for ways to diversify and expand our business portfolio, and we knew we wanted to further explore the casual dining segment. Big Whiskey’s was the perfect fit for us, unique name, great product, and casual, friendly environment,” says Amaan Porbandarwala.

Expanding the Big Whiskey’s name into the southern states has been a target for the brand’s franchising operations. “Birmingham is an ideal market for us and we couldn’t have hoped for better partners than the Porbandarwala brothers. They understand the food service industry and are all-around great business guys with a successful track record,” says Austin Herschend, President of Big Whiskey’s Franchising.

This newest franchise deal marks the brand’s second multi-unit agreement of 2017. In June of this year a two-store deal was signed by Calant Capital for locations in the Las Vegas market. The first Vegas restaurant is slated to open in 2018.

Real estate sites for a Birmingham Big Whiskey’s location are currently being explored by Amaan, Zunaid, and Herschend, with hopes of opening the first of two restaurants in the spring of 2018.

Herschend continues, “It’s definitely an exciting time to be part of the Big Whiskey’s family. These new partnerships and new markets will continue to elevate us in the casual dining segment, and we’re looking forward to a big year in 2018.”

Additional franchise deals are currently pending for markets in Arizona, Colorado, Florida, and Texas.