The California-based Slapfish fast-casual restaurant chain keeps on growing: The concept, based on serving fresh, sustainable seafood dishes, announced it signed a multi-state franchise deal to bring the chain to Utah, Idaho, Arizona, Nevada, Colorado and Texas.

Previously, the chain dipped its toes into the US East Coast and Chicago, as the Middle East.

"Our model for making seafood sexy again through over-the-top chef-driven dishes is ready to scale through this territory," Slapfish founder and chef Andrew Gruel said. "With advanced technology and rigorous oversight in the seafood market, it is now possible to take high-quality, sustainable seafood inland."

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