Ynot Italian – a full-service restaurant franchise known for its extensive menu of traditional, homemade Italian entrees – has announced plans to expand its footprint across the Southeastern United States.

According to founder and CEO Tony DiSilvestro, the growth will focus on developing both full and express units and will initially target other parts of the brand’s home state of Virginia, as well as key markets in North Carolina, Maryland and Florida. He expects the seven-unit chain to open three new units this year and, starting next year, develop as many as two full-scale restaurants and 5-10 express units annually.