News

Newk's Eatery franchisees expanding ownership

December 14, 2017

Four existing franchisees of Newk's Eatery are expanding their ownership agreements. Citing confidence in the brand's continued growth and the strength of its offering, the franchisees will open locations in Florida, Tennessee and Georgia — each booming markets for the brand, according to a company press release.
 
Newk's saw double-digit revenue growth this year and expanded into the West and Midwest, Newk's Chief Development Officer Chris Cheek said in the release.
 
"Newk's continues to outperform the industry, with average unit volumes exceeding $2 million and an ever-increasing loyal customer base," he said. "We will close out 2017, with a positive outlook for growth, with both new and existing franchisees."
 
The franchisees with expanded franchise agreements are:

• Paul Williams, an Atlanta-based franchisee who opened his first Newk's this month in Smyrna, Georgia. He expanded his territory to include Chattanooga and Cleveland, Tennessee. He plans to open a total of six locations in northern Atlanta and four in Tennessee.
• NELA Dining, led by Rebecca Fuller, which owns and operates three Newk's eateries in Monroe and Ruston, Louisiana. The company has committed to open four locations in Naples, Florida, a new market for Newk's.
• Jay Medley, who has committed to opening four additional locations in Greater Atlanta. He owns and operates two area locations, with a third opening this month in Canton.
• Missy Moon, who is also expanding in Greater Atlanta. She owns and operates two restaurants and now plans to open two additional restaurants.

 
In addition to strong financials, Newk's credits innovation for the surge in franchise growth. In 2017, the brand rolled out a construction process that saves franchisees up to $100,000 on new builds, Cheek said.  In 2018, it will expand its to-go menu, with a new "Newk's Express Market" to support increasing demand for off-premise dining.
 
"When we founded Newk's in 2004, we committed to a rate of growth that allowed us to maintain our high standards for food, service quality and thoughtful development," said Newk's CEO and co-founder Chris Newcomb. "The Newk's Eatery concept has been developed and refined to meet the needs of consumers and franchise operators alike, truly carving out a unique point of difference.”
 
In 2017, Newk's expanded into 10 new markets and added more than 50 franchise unit commitments. It will end the year with more than 120 restaurants.