Pairing a big moment with a big cause, fast casual Newk’s Eatery is celebrating its centennial restaurant opening by uniting system-wide to raise $100,000 for ovarian cancer research starting April 4. Each of Newk’s 100 restaurants has committed to raising $1,000, inviting guests to join the search for a cure by adding $1 or more to their purchases at the register.
Newk’s 100th restaurant will be opening its doors in Lake Charles, Louisiana, on April 4—the first Newk’s franchise location for Southeast Restaurant Group, a veteran operator of franchise and independent restaurants, and the third restaurant nationwide to feature Newk’s “Generation 2” restaurant design.
“Our 100th restaurant is a major milestone for the Newk’s brand—it’s unbelievable to look back at that first restaurant in Oxford, Mississippi, and see how far we’ve come,” says Chris Newcomb, Newk’s Eatery cofounder and CEO. “Newk’s 100th opening gives us the prime opportunity to welcome a new franchisee to the Newk’s family and embrace a cause that’s near and dear to all of our hearts. We’ve got a great deal of passion for ovarian cancer awareness and research that’s now amplified a hundredfold as we work together system-wide to turn small coin into big change.”
The $100,000 raised will be donated in full to Ovarian Cancer Research Fund Alliance (OCRFA)—the largest global organization dedicated to advancing ovarian cancer research while supporting women and their families. Next month’s campaign will be an outgrowth of Newk’s year-round ovarian cancer awareness movement, dubbed “Newk’s Cares,” which has so far raised more than $280,000 over the past two years for the cause. Inspired by the personal cancer battle of Lori Newcomb, Chris Newcomb’s wife, Newk’s Cares this year is donating 10 cents from every water bottle sold at Newk’s restaurants to OCRFA—making every sip count in the fight against ovarian cancer.
Newk’s 100th restaurant marks the halfway point in the brand’s aggressive growth plan to double in size by 2019. Located in Southwest Louisiana, the Lake Charles restaurant is one of 15 units planned by New Orleans-based Southeast Restaurant Group (SRG) for the Southwest Louisiana and Southeast Texas region over the next seven years. The group’s development agreement complements the brand’s ongoing expansion efforts along the Gulf Coast and is Newk’s largest build-out commitment to date.
Newk’s Eatery’s menu draws from the time-tested family recipes of its founding family, the Newcombs. Continuously sourcing the finest, freshest ingredients, Newk’s Eatery cooks with imported cheeses and prime meats, hand-chopped seasonal vegetables, house-roasted garlic, homemade dressings, and house-infused olive oil—guaranteeing every meal is served fresh and fast.
