In an $84 billion fast-casual landscape dominated by lookalike menus and overbuilt boxes, Newk’s Eatery has carved out a different lane — one built upon the merits of scratch-made food, genuine hospitality and a disciplined operating model that helps the brand put franchisee returns first. With nearly 100 locations, strong average unit volumes (AUV), a smaller prototype and renewed momentum heading into its next growth phase, Newk’s is increasingly attracting both seasoned multi-unit operators and thoughtful business owners looking for a brand with staying power.
“We have great average unit volumes because we offer a great experience,” said Frank Paci, chief executive officer of Newk’s Eatery. “Our menu is broad, appealing to different demographics, and features high-quality proteins like salmon and shrimp that set us apart from competitors like Panera or McAlister’s. And we focus heavily on hospitality.”
Founded in 2004 in Jackson, Mississippi, Newk’s Eatery began as a family-founded concept rooted in scratch cooking, open kitchens and warm Southern hospitality. From day one, the brand emphasized fresh ingredients, made-in-house recipes and a welcoming dining room instead of shortcuts or trend-chasing.
Newk’s roots are planted firmly in the restaurant business. The brand was built by operators for operators. And that DNA still shows up in the way locations are run and supported. Unlike many fast-casual competitors that have leaned into drive-thru-only models or simplified menus, Newk’s has protected what made it special in the first place: a food-first identity in a place where guests actually want to spend time.
With a two daypart model focused on lunch and early dinner, Newk’s appeals to busy professionals, families and groups seeking satisfying, fresh-made meals. “Our model depends on creating a great guest experience,” Paci said. “That’s what keeps people coming back.”
For franchisees, that consistency matters. It’s allowed Newk’s to build a loyal customer base that translates into repeat visits, strong catering demand and resilient performance across economic cycles.
Today, Newk’s is part of FSC Franchise Co., alongside The Brass Tap and Beef ‘O’ Brady’s. That portfolio structure provides franchisees with shared resources, stronger buying power and a leadership team that understands multi-brand growth (while still allowing Newk’s to operate with its own distinct identity). Newk’s franchisees benefit from over 350 hours of training, ongoing business coaching and centralized services through the FSC network.
“With almost 30 company-owned restaurants, we’re making marketing, hiring and real estate decisions just like our franchisees,” said Chief Development Officer Chris Cheek. “Our goal has always been to improve unit economics so we become more attractive for current franchisees to build more and to attract new ones.”
One of the clearest reasons franchisees are taking a closer look at Newk’s right now is the brand’s disciplined approach to unit economics.
Newk’s has intentionally reduced its prototype footprint (from roughly 4,000 square feet down to as small as 2,800 square feet), for example. This helps franchisees manage occupancy costs while maintaining the dine-in experience that differentiates the brand. New build options include endcap, inline and drive-thru configurations, enabling franchisees to adapt to various markets and site constraints.
“While inflation has driven up construction costs, we’re balancing those factors to ensure a strong return on investment for franchisees,” Paci said. That right-sizing positions Newk’s competitively within fast casual (especially among brands that still carry oversized boxes and higher break-even points).
Newk’s broad menu is another competitive advantage. Not because it’s bloated but because it’s thoughtfully designed to serve multiple occasions. From premium salads and sandwiches to soups, pizzas and catering platters, Newk’s performs across lunch, dinner and group dining. That versatility fuels consistent traffic throughout the week.
“We’re a food-first brand,” Paci said. “As off-premise dining grows, the focus shifts to ensuring the food travels well and orders are accurate. We spend a lot of time refining our menu.”
The fast-casual category is resilient and growing, especially among suburban diners seeking casual, affordable dining with social appeal. Newk’s is uniquely positioned to serve both group and team dining with a growing catering model and community-focused offerings. It plays perfectly into trends focused on portability, workday dining and local events.
All of these factors explain why Newk’s boasts an impressive AUV of about $2.3 million, according to the brand’s FDD.
Looking ahead, Newk’s leadership is intentional about who it partners with and how growth takes shape.
“We’re a 100-unit brand, yet still an emerging brand,” Cheek said. “You have to have a fire in the belly as a new franchisee to take an emerging brand into markets and put the business on your back and grow it. We’re not going to be running commercials on the Super Bowl anytime soon.”
Instead, Newk’s targets franchisees with restaurant experience who are comfortable establishing the brand locally, building relationships with landlords and driving awareness market by market.
“What we look for really is a cultural fit,” Cheek said. “Some level of restaurant experience is important, but even more than that is someone who’s comfortable taking a new brand to a market and driving awareness. Not just with customers but with landlords and the community.”
Todd Jackson, for example, is a multi-unit operator who owns 12 Newk’s restaurants across Alabama, Mississippi and Texas. He joined the brand in 2006 when it had just a handful of locations.
“I met with the founders, tried the food and you could just tell it was something different,” Jackson said. “That’s still what defines us.”
Nearly two decades later, Jackson remains bullish on the brand and plans to continue growing. “You’re building generational wealth when you’ve built over 10 restaurants,” Cheek said. “Todd is the perfect combination of following the system and challenging us with good, tough questions. That’s what makes us better.”
Importantly, Newk’s is not positioned as an absentee investment. The brand is upfront about seeking engaged, value-aligned operators who care deeply about their teams, their guests and their communities.
“Franchising is a marriage,” Jackson said. “You have to share values. Life’s too short to work with people you don’t want to deal with.”
As Newk’s approaches the 100-unit mark, development efforts are focused on specific regions where the brand already resonates (particularly across the Southeast and Texas). Five openings are planned for 2025 with an additional five slated for 2026.
For Cheek, growth is about strengthening the system as much as expanding it.
“My charter now is to grow our franchise community and open stores with the best franchisees we can find,” he said. “That starts with our existing great operators. But it also means bringing in new operators who help elevate the value of the brand through market share growth.”
Jackson believes that measured pace is part of what has allowed Newk’s to remain under the radar despite its longevity. “I’d say it’s probably a little bit of a secret,” he said. “Our guests are our biggest fans. But they’re concentrated in certain markets. As we expand that bubble, the brand will continue to get stronger.”
Both Jackson and Cheek emphasize that Newk’s is not for passive ownership. The brand is looking for operators who are prepared to protect the business and grow it responsibly.
“We don’t need someone who just has money,” Jackson said. “We need somebody who’s going to protect their restaurant just as much as I protect mine. Because that’s better for all of us.”
Cheek echoed that sentiment, noting that the most successful franchise relationships are built on alignment and trust. “Good ideas come from our franchise partners,” he said. “We recognize that. And we want people who will challenge us, ask good questions and help us get better.”
For potential franchisees willing to take a disciplined, market-specific approach, Newk’s Eatery represents an opportunity to help shape the next chapter of a fast-casual brand that has spent two decades building on its staying power.
“We’ve survived 2008. We’ve survived 2020,” Cheek said. “Now, we have the economics and the DNA to thrive into the future. Markets do sell out, timing matters and the time has never been better to join the Newk’s family.”
For more information on franchising with Newk’s Eatery visit: https://newks.com/franchise/.
About Newk’s Eatery:
Founded in 2004 and headquartered in Jackson, Mississippi, Newk’s Eatery is a fast-casual restaurant brand known for its signature hospitality and scratch-made meals. With nearly 100 locations across 12 states, Newk’s offers a diverse menu of hand-crafted salads, sandwiches, soups and pizzas — all made in-house with fresh, premium ingredients and without the use of fryers or microwaves. Guests can also enjoy convenient grab-and-go options and mobile ordering through the Newk’s app, available on Google Play and the App Store, for curbside, in-store pickup or delivery.
Newk’s has earned national recognition from Nation’s Restaurant News, Restaurant Business and Entrepreneur, and continues to be celebrated for food quality and guest loyalty. To learn more, visit Newks.com, join the Newk’s Rewards program, or follow along on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and X. For franchise opportunities, visit newks.com/franchise.
Newk’s Eatery
SPONSORED
Built on a foundation of quality food and guest loyalty at the local level, Newk's Eatery is resonating with experienced franchisees prioritizing steady expansion by market over rapid saturation.
In an $84 billion fast-casual landscape dominated by lookalike menus and overbuilt boxes, Newk’s Eatery has carved out a different lane — one built upon the merits of scratch-made food, genuine hospitality and a disciplined operating model that helps the brand put franchisee returns first. With nearly 100 locations, strong average unit volumes (AUV), a smaller prototype and renewed momentum heading into its next growth phase, Newk’s is increasingly attracting both seasoned multi-unit operators and thoughtful business owners looking for a brand with staying power.
“We have great average unit volumes because we offer a great experience,” said Frank Paci, chief executive officer of Newk’s Eatery. “Our menu is broad, appealing to different demographics, and features high-quality proteins like salmon and shrimp that set us apart from competitors like Panera or McAlister’s. And we focus heavily on hospitality.”
Founded in 2004 in Jackson, Mississippi, Newk’s Eatery began as a family-founded concept rooted in scratch cooking, open kitchens and warm Southern hospitality. From day one, the brand emphasized fresh ingredients, made-in-house recipes and a welcoming dining room instead of shortcuts or trend-chasing.
Newk’s roots are planted firmly in the restaurant business. The brand was built by operators for operators. And that DNA still shows up in the way locations are run and supported. Unlike many fast-casual competitors that have leaned into drive-thru-only models or simplified menus, Newk’s has protected what made it special in the first place: a food-first identity in a place where guests actually want to spend time.
With a two daypart model focused on lunch and early dinner, Newk’s appeals to busy professionals, families and groups seeking satisfying, fresh-made meals. “Our model depends on creating a great guest experience,” Paci said. “That’s what keeps people coming back.”
For franchisees, that consistency matters. It’s allowed Newk’s to build a loyal customer base that translates into repeat visits, strong catering demand and resilient performance across economic cycles.
Today, Newk’s is part of FSC Franchise Co., alongside The Brass Tap and Beef ‘O’ Brady’s. That portfolio structure provides franchisees with shared resources, stronger buying power and a leadership team that understands multi-brand growth (while still allowing Newk’s to operate with its own distinct identity). Newk’s franchisees benefit from over 350 hours of training, ongoing business coaching and centralized services through the FSC network.
“With almost 30 company-owned restaurants, we’re making marketing, hiring and real estate decisions just like our franchisees,” said Chief Development Officer Chris Cheek. “Our goal has always been to improve unit economics so we become more attractive for current franchisees to build more and to attract new ones.”
One of the clearest reasons franchisees are taking a closer look at Newk’s right now is the brand’s disciplined approach to unit economics.
Newk’s has intentionally reduced its prototype footprint (from roughly 4,000 square feet down to as small as 2,800 square feet), for example. This helps franchisees manage occupancy costs while maintaining the dine-in experience that differentiates the brand. New build options include endcap, inline and drive-thru configurations, enabling franchisees to adapt to various markets and site constraints.
“While inflation has driven up construction costs, we’re balancing those factors to ensure a strong return on investment for franchisees,” Paci said. That right-sizing positions Newk’s competitively within fast casual (especially among brands that still carry oversized boxes and higher break-even points).
Newk’s broad menu is another competitive advantage. Not because it’s bloated but because it’s thoughtfully designed to serve multiple occasions. From premium salads and sandwiches to soups, pizzas and catering platters, Newk’s performs across lunch, dinner and group dining. That versatility fuels consistent traffic throughout the week.
“We’re a food-first brand,” Paci said. “As off-premise dining grows, the focus shifts to ensuring the food travels well and orders are accurate. We spend a lot of time refining our menu.”
The fast-casual category is resilient and growing, especially among suburban diners seeking casual, affordable dining with social appeal. Newk’s is uniquely positioned to serve both group and team dining with a growing catering model and community-focused offerings. It plays perfectly into trends focused on portability, workday dining and local events.
All of these factors explain why Newk’s boasts an impressive AUV of about $2.3 million, according to the brand’s FDD.
Looking ahead, Newk’s leadership is intentional about who it partners with and how growth takes shape.
“We’re a 100-unit brand, yet still an emerging brand,” Cheek said. “You have to have a fire in the belly as a new franchisee to take an emerging brand into markets and put the business on your back and grow it. We’re not going to be running commercials on the Super Bowl anytime soon.”
Instead, Newk’s targets franchisees with restaurant experience who are comfortable establishing the brand locally, building relationships with landlords and driving awareness market by market.
“What we look for really is a cultural fit,” Cheek said. “Some level of restaurant experience is important, but even more than that is someone who’s comfortable taking a new brand to a market and driving awareness. Not just with customers but with landlords and the community.”
Todd Jackson, for example, is a multi-unit operator who owns 12 Newk’s restaurants across Alabama, Mississippi and Texas. He joined the brand in 2006 when it had just a handful of locations.
“I met with the founders, tried the food and you could just tell it was something different,” Jackson said. “That’s still what defines us.”
Nearly two decades later, Jackson remains bullish on the brand and plans to continue growing. “You’re building generational wealth when you’ve built over 10 restaurants,” Cheek said. “Todd is the perfect combination of following the system and challenging us with good, tough questions. That’s what makes us better.”
Importantly, Newk’s is not positioned as an absentee investment. The brand is upfront about seeking engaged, value-aligned operators who care deeply about their teams, their guests and their communities.
“Franchising is a marriage,” Jackson said. “You have to share values. Life’s too short to work with people you don’t want to deal with.”
As Newk’s approaches the 100-unit mark, development efforts are focused on specific regions where the brand already resonates (particularly across the Southeast and Texas). Five openings are planned for 2025 with an additional five slated for 2026.
For Cheek, growth is about strengthening the system as much as expanding it.
“My charter now is to grow our franchise community and open stores with the best franchisees we can find,” he said. “That starts with our existing great operators. But it also means bringing in new operators who help elevate the value of the brand through market share growth.”
Jackson believes that measured pace is part of what has allowed Newk’s to remain under the radar despite its longevity. “I’d say it’s probably a little bit of a secret,” he said. “Our guests are our biggest fans. But they’re concentrated in certain markets. As we expand that bubble, the brand will continue to get stronger.”
Both Jackson and Cheek emphasize that Newk’s is not for passive ownership. The brand is looking for operators who are prepared to protect the business and grow it responsibly.
“We don’t need someone who just has money,” Jackson said. “We need somebody who’s going to protect their restaurant just as much as I protect mine. Because that’s better for all of us.”
Cheek echoed that sentiment, noting that the most successful franchise relationships are built on alignment and trust. “Good ideas come from our franchise partners,” he said. “We recognize that. And we want people who will challenge us, ask good questions and help us get better.”
For potential franchisees willing to take a disciplined, market-specific approach, Newk’s Eatery represents an opportunity to help shape the next chapter of a fast-casual brand that has spent two decades building on its staying power.
“We’ve survived 2008. We’ve survived 2020,” Cheek said. “Now, we have the economics and the DNA to thrive into the future. Markets do sell out, timing matters and the time has never been better to join the Newk’s family.”
For more information on franchising with Newk’s Eatery visit: https://newks.com/franchise/.
About Newk’s Eatery:
Founded in 2004 and headquartered in Jackson, Mississippi, Newk’s Eatery is a fast-casual restaurant brand known for its signature hospitality and scratch-made meals. With nearly 100 locations across 12 states, Newk’s offers a diverse menu of hand-crafted salads, sandwiches, soups and pizzas — all made in-house with fresh, premium ingredients and without the use of fryers or microwaves. Guests can also enjoy convenient grab-and-go options and mobile ordering through the Newk’s app, available on Google Play and the App Store, for curbside, in-store pickup or delivery.
Newk’s has earned national recognition from Nation’s Restaurant News, Restaurant Business and Entrepreneur, and continues to be celebrated for food quality and guest loyalty. To learn more, visit Newks.com, join the Newk’s Rewards program, or follow along on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and X. For franchise opportunities, visit newks.com/franchise.
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