McGarrah Is Fired Up

McGarrah/Jessee has won marketing duties for the chain of Johnny Carino’s Country Italian restaurants.

The selection of the Austin, Texas-based advertising agency follows a two-month review of Texas shops, in addition to out-of-state incumbent Thomas & Perkins of Denver.

McGarrah/Jessee was chosen because of its past experience in both casual dining and national franchise advertising, said Norman Abdallah, co-chief executive officer and president of Fired Up, the owner of the Johnny Carino’s brand.

The agency also handles national advertising for the Schlotzsky’s Deli chain.

“With our growth both domestically and internationally through franchises [that] was important,” Abdallah said.

Austin-based Fired Up plans to add 20 locations this year to the 35 restaurants it now operates in Arkansas, Texas, Colorado, California and Idaho.