Non-traditional restaurant in new cancer center boosts franchisee’s revenue stream
The recently developed Joseph S. and Theresa R. Bruno Cancer Center, located at St. Vincent’s Health System in Birmingham, Ala., now features the first ever off-site extension of the popular fast-casual Newk’s Eatery Grab-N-Go concept. The 375-square-foot Newk’s Grab-N-Go location includes a selection of the brand’s most popular entrees and sides, a small-scale version of the brand’s signature Roundtable and a small dining area.
“There is demand for Newk’s Eatery stores in non-traditional locations,” said Alan Wright, Vice President of Franchise Operations and Marketing. “We are looking at a variety of ways to extend the brand beyond four walls. The expansion not only builds awareness of our rapidly expanding brand, but it adds revenue streams that enhance our franchisees’ success.”
The partners in Birmingham’s six Newk’s Eatery restaurants, including two locations scheduled to open this fall, have long supported cancer research and celebrated cancer survivors. Since Todd and Sonya Jackson developed the first Newk’s location in downtown Birmingham in 2007 along with their partners Tom Crowson, Jackson’s father-in-law Dennis Hey and brother-in-law Chris Hey, the family-owned business has been a major sponsor of Susan G. Komen’s Race for the Cure. In October, all Newk’s Birmingham restaurants will replace their signature black cups with pink cups in recognition of Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Until then, the restaurants will participate in a company-wide Newk’s Cares campaign with the Ovarian Cancer Research Fund to educate women about the early warning signs of ovarian cancer. Through the end of September, all 70 Newk’s Eatery locations will use teal cups in recognition of Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month and distribute educational information about the disease.
“Early detection of cancer and research for cures are issues near and dear to our hearts,” said Jackson. “Most of us have been or will be touched by cancer. In some small way, we hope that Newk’s presence at the cancer center will not only be a place for patients seeking treatment and their families to enjoy a delicious and healthy meal, but a place for peace and healing as well.”
Newk’s Grab-N-Go can be found on the second floor of the cancer center near the elevators and entrance from the parking garage. It offers a selection of fresh-tossed salads, sandwiches, sides, made-from-scratch soups and homemade cakes. In keeping with Newk’s Eatery restaurants, the Grab-N-Go selections are prepared fresh daily and the location features a Newk’s Roundtable, a circular table that offers complimentary spices and toppings, allowing guests to customize their menu items. The eatery is open daily from 9:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
The Jackson, Mississippi-based Newk’s Eatery currently has 70 locations across 13 states and plans to open 15 locations this year, reaching 200 total restaurants by 2019. Newk’s has been listed in Technomic’s top 50 fast-casual chain restaurants nationwide.
For more information about Newk’s Eatery, visit newks.com. For information about the Birmingham locations, visit their Facebook page or follow them on Twitter at @NewksEateryBham. Additional information about the Newk’s Cares campaign to increase awareness about ovarian cancer and raise funds for a cure is available here.
For Newk’s Eatery franchise information, please visit:
http://www.newks.com/franchise/.
Fast casual Newk’s Eatery is passionate about delivering fresh, flavorful food experiences. Newk’s culinary driven menu prepared in its open-view kitchens includes made-from-scratch soups, sweet and savory salads, California-style pizzas, oven baked sandwiches and homemade cakes. Rapidly expanding since the first restaurant opening in 2004, Jackson, MS based Newk’s currently operates and franchises 70 units in 13 states. For more information visit newks.com, join the Roundtable Club, or follow Newk’s on Facebook and Twitter.
