Walk-On’s new partnership with financial group paves way for continued growth throughout Louisiana and beyond; Roux House and Schlittz & Giggles to be spun off
Walk-On’s Bistreaux & Bar, voted “Best Sports Bar in North America” by ESPN, announced today that it has partnered with a leading financial group to expand its footprint further in Louisiana and ultimately beyond the state’s borders.
Rick Farrell, a prominent Louisiana businessman and owner of RF Development, LLC, will join the ownership team at Last in Concepts, the Baton Rouge-based restaurant company that owns and operates Walk-On’s and other popular concepts in the Bayou State.
“I’m very excited and honored that Rick is coming aboard with his expertise and his resources to help us continue our growth strategy in Louisiana, and beyond,” said Brandon Landry, co-founder of Last in Concepts. “We have big plans for Walk-On’s and our other concepts, and with Rick’s help, the sky’s the limit.”
Landry and co-founder Jack Warner were walk-ons with the LSU basketball team when they first hatched the idea of opening a sports bar just off the university’s campus. Since then, Last In Concepts has grown from the original Walk-On’s on Burbank Drive to 12 restaurant and bar locations throughout Baton Rouge, Lafayette and New Orleans. In addition to Walk-On’s, the partners developed and implemented four other original concepts: The Roux House, Happy’s Irish Pub, Schlittz & Giggles and Walk-On’s Catering.
“I’ve known and admired both Brandon and Jack for years, and I’ve been duly impressed by the way they’ve built Walk-On’s, Happy’s and their other concepts into such powerful Louisiana brands,” said Farrell, a fellow LSU alumnus from New Orleans that recently sold Tricon Energy LTD, a global trader in petrochemicals. “I’m convinced, though, that they’ve only scratched the surface with their restaurants, and I’m looking forward to helping build Last In Concepts into one of the finest operators in the industry.”
As part of the agreement, Farrell has purchased Warner’s interest in Last In Concepts and is now equal partners with Landry. Warner becomes sole owner of The Roux House and Schlittz & Giggles, which have been spun off from Last In Concepts. Warner will remain a minority partner in Last In Concepts.
“Wow! What a great 10 years. Are you kidding me?” said Warner. “This all started as a dream, with a business plan written at LSU while we were on the basketball team. We opened our first place at 25 years old, and went from nothing to the #1 sports bar concept in the country, with four other concepts in three cities and 12 total locations. I’m looking forward to the future, and whatever great opportunities may hopefully come my way. Cheers to you and your dreams!”
In September, Landry and Warner celebrated the 10th anniversary of the opening of their first Walk-On’s…a milestone many local observers never dreamed possible back in the early 2000s when the burgeoning entrepreneurs were just getting started. In 2012, ESPN named Walk-On’s the “Best Sports Bar in North America.” Last February, Warner and Landry were named Baton Rouge’s Young Businesspersons of the Year for 2013, and later they won Baton Rouge’s Restaurateurs of the Year honors.
Last In Concepts is arguably the most distinctive restaurant company in America. Its concepts are fresh, fun and original, from Walk-On’s Bistreaux & Bar voted ESPN’s Best Sports Bar in North America to Happy’s Irish Pub – where “Happy’s girls make happy boys”. The Louisiana-based chain also includes Walk-On’s Catering, a third concept driven by the popularity of its namesake’s unique Louisiana menu. Additional growth lies ahead, as the company expands on its winning combination of delicious, affordable food and drinks presented in an uncommonly warm and friendly atmosphere.
For more information, visit www.lastinconcepts.com or contact Ladd Biro at Champion Management at lbiro@championmgt.com or 972.930.9933.
