Newk's eyes Springfield market return

Jackson, Mississippi-based Newk’s Eatery is actively targeting a return to the Springfield market.

Chris Cheek, Newk’s chief development officer, said this morning that the fast-casual chain is currently working to identify franchisees for Springfield. He said Newk’s has an expected market capacity of around three stores in the Queen City.

"We hope to identify a great franchise partner for the market sometime within the next 12 months," he said, pointing to a goal of opening the first new store in Springfield within 18 months, also pending the site-selection process.

Newk’s previously operated in Springfield via franchisee Danco LLC, according to past reporting. The franchisee's 220 W. Battlefield Road restaurant shuttered in 2019, following the closure of the location at 2639 S. Glenstone Ave. in 2017. 

Founded in 2004, Newk's currently has 97 locations, Cheek said, noting the company would get to 100 this year. Newk’s currently does not have restaurants in Missouri, with the closest being in the northwest Arkansas area, according to its website.

Newk's restaurants generally can range in size from 2,500 to 4,500 square feet, Cheek said, and employ around 40 people. He declined to disclose franchise costs but said they are available upon request by potential franchisees.

Newk's menu includes sandwiches, wraps, salads, soups and pizza, according to its website.

Cheek said Springfield is one of a few markets currently being targeted for growth by Newk's.

"We had success in the market before. We know that we would reenter the market with a certain level of brand awareness," he said. "That always makes market entry quite a bit easier."