Newk’s Eatery is coming to Northwest Arkansas making its first stop in Fayetteville. The restaurant will be located at 637 E. Joyce Blvd. in a space at Spring Creek Center, Fayetteville. A grand opening is scheduled for Nov. 17.
The Jackson, Miss.,-based fast casual chain specializes in salads, pizza and sandwiches and operates 71 eateries with plans for 200 by the end of 2015. The franchisee is also seeking potential sites in Bentonville or Rogers for a second restaurant, according to Alan Cole, broker with Colliers International.
“Northwest Arkansas has long been on the list of desired locations for Newk’s,” Jim Lynch, Franchisee of Newk’s, said. “Our fast-casual concept and wide variety of menu items will be a great fit for the ever-growing market in this area. We hope to have an additional location underway soon.”
Cole said Newk’s Joyce Boulevard location was strategically placed to be convenient to the entire region with plenty of parking.
“We also made sure that the space was large enough to provide a to-go counter and catering services,” Cole added.
Early this week Boneheads restaurant opened in Bentonville at 1403 SE Moberly Lane. The Atlanta-based chain operates 8 stores across five states and was recently
named by Fastcasual.com as one of the Top 100 Movers and Shakers in the fast casual industry.
Boneheads corporate has 31 stores in development including one in Little Rock and five in Pakistan. The Bentonville location is the company’s ninth store and the first in Arkansas.
Boneheads Bentonville is owned and operated by 30 year army veteran Thomas Baker who said he fell in love with the restaurant’s food and atmosphere after dining at the Atlanta location. The restaurant specializes in grilled fish and Piri Piri chicken.
According to the restaurant’s website Piri Piri translates to pepper pepper and specifically refers to the African Birdseye Chili pepper, which is native to Mozambique.
The Bentonville restaurant has a Caribbean theme, with seating for 120 guest, ample parking and outdoor dining, according to the release. The restaurant will be open seven days a week from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.