Newk’s Eatery, the nearly 100-unit fast-casual restaurant brand known for its signature hospitality and scratch-made meals, has built a franchise model designed to support long-term multi-unit growth for its owners. Newk’s systems and training infrastructure are among the biggest reasons the brand works well for multi-unit operators. The company has built detailed processes for training both managers and hourly employees during new store openings, while also supporting franchisees as they continue hiring after opening. 

“I think a lot of restaurant chains do a good job of training, but I think we do an exceptionally good job of, not only having the tools and the process for it, but the technology behind it,” said Chris Cheek, chief development officer. 

Newk’s has an industry-leading support structure. It includes more than 350 hours of initial training, ongoing business coaching and localized marketing support that helps make expanding to multiple units more attainable. 

Newk’s also has a flexible real estate model that gives franchisees more opportunities to grow across multiple markets and property types. The brand can operate in spaces as small as 2,200 square feet or as large as 4,000 square feet, with locations ranging from freestanding buildings to inline and end-cap spaces. That flexibility allows franchisees to evaluate a wider range of real estate opportunities when developing additional units.

“Most of our franchisees are leasing space,” Cheek said. “That only takes about 90 to 120 days for the construction process. It's quicker for us to do leasehold improvement-type deals.”

Support With Site Selection and Build-Out

Newk’s takes an active role in both the site selection and construction support process for franchisees, while also leaning heavily on its training programs to help operators scale successfully. The company also operates 29 corporate locations, many of which it developed itself, giving the leadership team firsthand experience with opening and growing restaurants using its own systems and capital. 

“They want it to be the right location for the right demographic, the right traffic counts and the right dayparts,” said Rick Howard, a multi-unit franchisee in Georgia. “It’s very specific. I would say Newk’s is more intentional than a lot of fast-food or QSR brands you see where stores are just lined up down the road together. That’s not necessarily Newk’s approach, and that’s been a big help for me coming into a brand I didn’t know that well at first.”

Newk’s restaurant design and build-out model also supports multi-unit ownership by focusing on durability, functionality and operational consistency. The brand uses long-lasting materials like stainless steel and quality tile work that can better withstand the wear and tear of high-volume restaurant operations, helping reduce maintenance concerns across multiple locations. 

The Competitive Advantage

Newk’s combines flexible real estate options, shorter build-out timelines and structured training systems with direct operational experience from its own corporate locations. Rather than simply advising franchisees from a corporate office, the company continues to actively develop and operate its own restaurants, giving the team firsthand insight into the realities of site selection, hiring, training and opening new locations.

“We’re always hip to hip with our franchisees,” Cheek said. “We’re looking for company-owned sites, building sites and hiring and training new teams right alongside them.”

That hands-on approach from an experienced team gives a real competitive edge for franchise owners looking to develop a multi-unit portfolio. 

To find out more information on costs to buy this franchise, please visit https://1851franchise.com/newks-eatery/.