Northern Virginia dining staple Bob & Edith’s Diner is recruiting investors to open franchise locations across the country.

The chain, which celebrated its 50th anniversary in November, is looking to open franchises first in the D.C. area and in North Carolina, and then in the Mid-Atlantic and Southeast. Bob & Edith’s is partnering with Alexandria-based franchise development group Fransmart, which has helped concepts such as Five Guys Burger & Fries and Qdoba Mexican Grill expand nationally.

“Much like when we first expanded [Five] Guys and would go near McDonald’s/Wendy’s and enjoy a base of customers in search of a better experience, we will locate in dense markets that already have Denny’s/IHOP and offer a better experience,” Dan Rowe, CEO of Fransmart, said in an email to the Washington Business Journal.

To open a Bob & Edith’s franchise, investors must have a net worth of at least $1 million, $500,000 of liquid capital and be ready to begin development within the next three to…