Fast-growing fast-casual chain has big plans

Newk’s Eatery is on the move.



The fast-casual restaurant chain is expanding into Central Florida, with plans to open 10-12 corporate-owned locations in the Orlando area over the next five years. The expansion is part of the company’s long-term goal to open more than 200 locations by 2018.



Construction is underway on the first Orlando-area restaurant in the Waterford Oaks shopping center, owned by BluRock Development. It is slated to open in mid-August.



The development plan will further establish Mississippi-based Newk's as a major player in Florida, where the brand is currently growing in the panhandle region, Jacksonville, Tampa-St. Petersburg, and Palm Beach and Broward counties.



"Newk's expansion into Central Florida is an important part of our growth plan," said Newk's Eatery chief development officer Chris Cheek. "Our Orlando restaurant will be the first in Florida to feature our new contemporary design that we rolled out last year, and we think it will become a popular dining destination for the area."



Based in Jackson, Mississippi, Newk's Eatery currently operates and franchises more than 100 units in 13 states.