Cowboys putting giddy up in mall traffic
Shopper center operators have a new ally in their efforts to drive traffic called Cowboys Saloon: American Bar & Grill.
Cowboys is a new food and entertainment concept billed as a destination restaurant and country-western venue that is looking to grow rapidly the next few years. Founded six years ago, Cowboys is on a growth trajectory to operate more than 20 locations by 2018, up from the seven locations that will be open by year end.
“Country music is the most popular genre in the U.S. and Cowboys Saloon: American Bar & Grill is going to be the premier destination for country western-entertainment nationwide,” said Anthony Perera, managing member and founder. “Complete with a mechanical bull, stage for live bands, and large space for line-dancing, we are looking for each Cowboys Saloon location to be around 12,000 sq. ft. to 18,000 sq. ft. and hold approximately 1,000 patrons."
To bring in that many customers, Cowboys relies on a combination of entertainment and food. For example, the company works with booking agents to ensure a steady flow of new and notable performers who appear regularly for concerts. In terms of fare, Cowboys offers a southern-inspired scratch kitchen with a signature item, fried green caprese.
The company’s growth strategy involves backfilling second-generation restaurants and constructing first generation stand-alone buildings in the range of 12,000 sq. ft. to 18,000 sq. ft. The accelerated expansion plans follows a 2013 partnership with the private equity firm BG Capital.
Current locations include Davie, Ocala and Gainesville, Florida, Phoenix and Denver. The company’s sixth location is due to open in Peoria, Arizona, in late May followed by a seventh location in Syracuse, New York.
