Bob Evans Farms, Inc., Columbus, Ohio, announced a partnership with AVI Foodsystems Inc. to develop and license a new prototype concept called Bob Evans Express, a non-traditional restaurant concept designed for venues such as workplace cafés, universities, airports, malls, service plazas, hospitals and more.

Bob Evans co-developed the concept with AVI after selecting the Warren, Ohio-based foodservice company as their foodservice provider for Bob Evans’ new corporate campus in New Albany, Ohio. The second Bob Evans Express location will be introduced at the campus’ employee café this October. Each Bob Evans Express will offer a menu of portable Bob Evans farm-fresh favorites, like Wildfire Chicken Salad, sausage gravy and biscuits, slow-roasted turkey and more.

“This new Bob Evans Express concept was a natural evolution of our relationship with AVI, after discussing plans for our corporate campus. AVI has significant experience and expertise in non-traditional food venues, making them an ideal partner,” says Steven Davis, chairman and CEO of Bob Evans. “We’re pleased that two great Ohio companies are partnering together on this new innovative concept, which is full of possibilities for both companies.”

This project allows Bob Evans to leverage its brand and explore opportunities in non-traditional locations. The arrangement will initially provide AVI with exclusivity. The concept’s footprint is a fraction of a traditional Bob Evans restaurant at just 500 square feet, and will be managed and operated by AVI.

The first unit opened at BMW Manufacturing’s Spartanburg, S.C., manufacturing facility on Aug. 19, where AVI is the foodservice provider.