Newk’s Eatery, the fast-casual restaurant known for its culinary-driven menu and open kitchen, is expanding into Western markets for the first time with a new development agreement that will bring 10 locations to Denver and its southeast suburbs.
Newk’s newest franchisee, Sam Freitag, is a successful restaurateur who has owned a number of franchise businesses, including 20 Sonic Drive-In units in the Denver metro area and Richmond, Virginia.
When Freitag and his team open their first Newk’s Eatery in southeastern Denver in late 2016, it will be the first in Denver, first in Colorado, and the westernmost location for the company.
“Newk’s open kitchens, commitment to quality ingredients, and ongoing innovations make it a perfect option for Denver’s discerning customer base,” Freitag says. “With aggressive expansion plans, a growing brand presence and a new design, the chain is fast becoming a sought-after brand for customers, franchisees, and landlords.”
Freitag is the sixth multiunit franchisee to sign with Newk’s in 2015. Combined, the new franchisees will open more than 50 new restaurants in the next three years, consistent with Newk’s goal to reach 200 units by 2018.
"When founding Newk’s in 2004, we committed to a rate of growth that allowed us to maintain our high standards for food and service quality," says Newk's president, CEO, and cofounder Chris Newcomb. "We spent the last year establishing a strong foundation that has attracted a record number of franchisees and allowed us to achieve the strongest growth in our 10-year history.”
The chain added 20 new restaurants in 2015, doubling its growth rate from years past and entering nearly 10 new markets. It will end the year with 95 locations, including 19 company-owned and 76 franchisee-owned restaurants in 13 states. Over the next two years, the chain will intensify corporate growth, with restaurants planned for Raleigh-Durham, North Carolina; Orlando and Jacksonville, Florida; and Dallas.
Celebrating its 11th year, Newk’s has remained steadfast in its commitment to quality, serving made-from-scratch sandwiches, salads, soups and California-style pizzas, using fresh and flavorful ingredients, accompanied by a unique level of service and hospitality.
