Since opening its first restaurant in Oxford, Miss., in 2004, Newk’s Express Café has grown to more than 30 locations in seven primarily southeastern states. In 2010, the company signed a partnership deal with Franchise Dynamics that has led to seven development agreements totaling 36 restaurants.
Newk’s plans to open 15 more restaurants in 2011 and 25 in each of the next two years through multi-unit development partners. The company is looking to expand into new markets including Houston, Oklahoma City, Tulsa, Okla., Chicago, Louisville, Ky., Orlando, Fla., Cincinnati, and Richmond, Va.
“It’s been a great year for us,” said Chris Newcomb, CEO and president of Newk’s Express Café, who along with his father, Don Newcomb, and Debra Bryson launched the concept following the successful sale of McAlister’s Deli. “We’re excited about the growth, not only in terms of locations, but also with menu development and branding. People outside of Mississippi are starting to talk about what locals have known for years.”
The menu features fresh-tossed salads, oven-baked sandwiches, California-style pizzas, made-from-scratch soups and homemade cakes baked fresh by Newk’s Bakery Company. The average check is $11.50.
“We’re a culinary-driven concept and we wanted to make as much, if not all, of our menu items from scratch in the restaurant each day,” Newcomb said. “We grill our chicken, steak and portabella mushroom, broil our shrimp, caramelize our onions and make our own salad dressings and pasta salads. And that only begins to scratch the surface.”
Newk’s Express Café saw same-store-sales increase 2.6 percent in 2009, when it opened six new restaurants. Through the first 48 weeks of 2010, the chain experienced a 10 percent increase in same-store sales over the same period in 2009. Stores open at least one year had revenue between $1.2 million and $2.8 million in 2009.
Read also, McAlister’s Deli founders find second-time success.
