Walk-On’s Ranked #1 Among Fastest-Growing Full Service Chains
May 08, 2018 11:15AM ● By Camille Mosley
BATON ROUGE, La. - Following a record-breaking year of franchise expansion, Walk-On’s Bistreaux & Bar has captured the top spot in two categories of Technomic’s 2018 Top 500 Chain Restaurant Report.
The Baton Rouge-based brand known for its unique “taste of Louisiana” was ranked No. 1 among the fastest-growing Full-Service U.S. Restaurant Chains under $200 million in annual sales, as well as in the Full-Service Sports Bar category. Walk-On’s grew by 84.8 percent in year-over-year sales and 77.8 percent in total U.S. units.
“We didn’t set out to be the fastest-growing restaurant in our category, but we’re awfully proud to have achieved that level of success,” said Brandon Landry, Walk-On’s Enterprises Founder and Co-Owner. “We have been extremely selective in choosing our franchise partners, and that has paid dividends in so many ways. We also know that our signature Louisiana-style menu and family-friendly game-day atmosphere truly set us apart from the pack.”
To underscore the elevated nature of its menu, Walk-On’s also recently won Nation’s Restaurant News’ coveted Menu Masters Award for “Best Menu Line Extension.” The award called out the chain’s “new kids’ items, signature drinks and distinctive dishes that highlight its Cajun heritage, including a crawfish BLT salad, venison chili nachos, and po’ boy sandwiches with protein options including catfish and alligator.”
“We’re about to open our 20th restaurant, and we have several more in the works to open this year and next,” said Scott Taylor, President & COO of Walk-On’s Enterprises. “We hope to continue this momentum and would be thrilled to make the fastest-growing list again next year.”
Walk-On’s now has 19 locations: four in Baton Rouge, two in New Orleans and San Antonio, and one each in Lafayette, Houma, Shreveport, Lake Charles, Covington, Broussard, Alexandria, Gonzales, and Bossier City, La., and Lubbock and Tyler, Texas. Other locations are coming soon in Alabama, Florida, Louisiana, Mississippi, Tennessee and Texas, with several additional markets across the Southern U.S. likewise on the drawing board.
New Orleans Saints superstar Drew Brees and his wife, Brittany, bought in as co-owners in May 2015. Drew pointed out that Walk-On’s is “a great place to bring my family, teammates and business colleagues” and that they were excited to help “expand the brand across the nation.”
For a complete menu and more information, visit walk-ons.com.
