Franchise owners Jas Deol and his wife Amol joined corporate representatives in a parking lot ribbon cutting before welcoming first time patrons.

CITRUS HEIGHTS, CA (MGP) - Let the “Madness” begin!

Teriyaki Madness, at 5975 Birdcage Center Lane, is a new quick-service Asian-fusion restaurant that celebrated its grand opening Friday, Jan. 17 in the Market Place in Birdcage.

Customers lined up well before doors opened at 10 a.m., ready to craft their own teriyaki bowls and win opening day free bowl specials.

Franchise owners Jas Deol, his wife, Amol, and their infant daughter joined corporate representatives in a parking lot ribbon cutting ceremony before welcoming first-time patrons.

Inside, the savory scent of fire-grilled fresh teriyaki chicken filled the air within the restaurant as staff made final preparations for the grand opening.

Teriyaki Madness opened in the former location of Starbucks, which closed in October 2021, adjacent to Barnes & Noble and just next door to Noodles & Company. The 1,400-square foot restaurant is separated by a brightly themed mural wall from the bookseller next door.

“It took two years from the time I signed the franchise agreement with the company to today’s opening day,” Deol said. “We had hoped to open late this summer, but we experienced permitting delays.”

Deol is a serial entrepreneur who owns a laundromat, a car wash and a Mountain Mike’s Pizza franchise location.

He said he’s delighted to offer customers a new healthy choice and said he doesn’t mind the friendly competition between Noodles & Company next door and Panda Express further down Sunrise Boulevard.

“It’s healthy competition, and we’re in a very busy location with great visibility,” Deol said. The restaurant intends to offer patio seating to its patrons this spring as the weather warms.

A line of customers eagerly awaited the grand opening of Teriyaki Madness.

Teriyaki Madness is open for dine-in, take-out, online or app ordering, Deol said.

“All our dishes are prepared with all natural, fresh ingredients,” he said. Bowls can be customized by protein with white, brown, or fried rice or with Yakisoba-style noodles. Available proteins included marinated, grilled chicken, steak, tofu or salmon. Appetizers include edamame, chicken pot stickers, chicken eggroll and crab Rangoon. Sides and drinks are also available.

The fast-casual Asian restaurant chain was founded in 2003 and currently has over 150 locations in the U.S., according to its website. The franchise was named one of Denver Business Journal’s fastest-growing companies in 2022, according to Sacramento Business Journal, and was listed in the top 100 franchises of 2024. The company surpassed the 100-unit mark in 2021, ending the year with 101 locations.

Teriyaki Madness has expanded to the Sacramento area with two known locations so far in 2024. A location in West Sacramento on the company’s website is to open soon.

The Market Place at Birdcage is anchored by Walmart Neighborhood Market, Best Buy, Old Navy, Michaels, Barnes & Noble and Chuze Fitness.

Teriyaki Madness in Citrus Heights is open daily from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Sunday. For information, call 918-721-0163.