The extensive remodeling and renovation initiative that Bob Evans Restaurants launched in Dayton in 2010 is now sweeping into the Hamilton and greater Cincinnati area, the company announced Wednesday.

Bob Evans officials also announced the chain will expand into Arkansas, its 19th state, this year.

The renovation program has been named the “Farm-Fresh Refresh” restaurant revitalization, and it’s designed to update facilities, modernize the Bob Evans brand, and appeal to a changing demographic, company officials said. The renovations give a new look to both the exterior and interior of each restaurant, including the addition of a mural in the entryway depicting Bob Evans’ farm heritage.

Company officials say the project has resulted in increased sales at the renovated restaurants.

“All our remodel markets are outperforming the chain’s same-store sales performance by approximately 5 percentage points,” Steve Davis, chairman and CEO of Bob Evans Farms, Inc., said in a news release. “The refreshes both modernize the brand and stimulate the economy by creating both local construction and hospitality jobs.”

After Bob Evans remodeled or rebuilt the 31 restaurants in the greater Dayton market, it moved on to the Toledo and Detroit markets, where 42 restaurants were refurbished. The Cincinnati market’s 48 locations are now underway, including those in the northern Cincinnati area. Restaurants in Lebanon, West Chester and one in Hamilton were renovated in February, and stores in Fairfield and a second location in Hamilton are scheduled for refurbishing this month, while Franklin and Mason stores will be renovated later, according to Bob Evans spokeswoman Frances Riggins.

This spring, Bob Evans will open two new restaurants in Ohio (Defiance and South Euclid), one in Florida, and two in Arkansas — Bob Evans’ first new state in more than a decade. “We look forward to even more new states in coming years, and to introducing our new look to our guests,” Davis said.

Bob Evans Inc. operates 564 family restaurants, and it also is the parent company of Mimi’s Cafe, which operates 145 casual restaurants in 24 states, including a location at The Greene in Beavercreek.