Restaurant Chain Seizes 6 Franchised Locations

Noble Roman's Inc. has taken over the operation of six franchised restaurants in Indianapolis in a bid to prove its concept can be executed profitably.

The move - which comes amid a chorus of discontent from franchisees and as the company explores

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In the last few years, Noble Roman's management has blamed franchisees for most of the company's problems, including several stand-alone stores that closed shortly after opening. The company last year Paul Mobley stepped up its enforcement of franchise standards, lengthened training requirements and strengthened the franchisee selection process. Father son duo Paul and Scott Mobley, who run the company, say those efforts are paying off.

But now, the Mobleys are taking a more drastic step, one that will test their own operational mettle: They have assumed control of six dual-brand Noble Roman's and Tuscan's Italian Style Subs restaurants in Carmel, Fishers, Westfield and Noblesville after the locations struggled with what the company calls "management and supervision difficulties." The locations had been operated by a single franchisee, local businessman Steve Patton. He did not return IBJ phone messages.