DALLAS – Corner Bakery Café expects to open 47 restaurants in three markets. The expansion calls for 18 restaurants in Minneapolis-St. Paul, 18 in Orland, Fla., and 11 in Portland, Ore.

Corner Bakery is Café is evaluating potential franchisees for each market. The company, a fast-casual restaurant chain, currently has more than 140 company-owned and franchised locations in 14 states and Washington, D.C. Corner Bakery Café plans to double its U.S. footprint over the next four years.

The three new markets fit well in the company’s strategy, said Jonathan Benjamin, vice-president of franchising for Dallas-based Corner Bakery Café.

“Each is known for their strong neighborhoods, and with our neighborhood approach to development, we expect each new restaurant to quickly become a favorite gathering place for local families and friends,” he said. “Add the fact that fast-casual is the fastest growing segment of the restaurant industry, and that makes Corner Bakery Café an ideal concept for entrepreneurs and multi-unit operators looking for new opportunities in these markets.”