Southern sandwich chain plans North Carolina comeback — including Charlotte region

A Mississippi restaurant chain is making a North Carolina return in a big way.

Newk’s Eatery, based in Jackson, Mississippi, plans to open up to 30 stores across the state, and about 10 in the Charlotte area, CEO Frank Paci told The Charlotte Observer on Friday.

The restaurant chain’s goal is to identify a franchisee by next year and find locations in Charlotte, as well as Raleigh, Paci said. About 70% of Newk’s restaurants are franchise-owned, he said.

Each store typically hires up to 40 full- and part-time employees, Paci said.

Newk’s isn’t new to the Charlotte market, however. There were two Charlotte stores and one in Rock Hill until all three closed in 2019 “due to franchise issues,” Paci said.

But now is the time to expand again because of the solid growth and economy in North Carolina and Charlotte, Paci said.

Newk’s isn’t the first restaurant chain to make a Charlotte. Within a year of The Habit Burger Grill opening in Charlotte in 2019, it closed. But the California chargrilled burger joint has since opened six of 15 planned Charlotte-area stores since 2022.

Inside Newk’s Eatery

Newk’s meals are prepared to-order with an open-view of the kitchen. The fast-casual restaurant menu includes sandwiches, salads, soups and pizza.

What sets Newk’s apart from competitors like McAlister’s Deli and Panera Bread, Paci said, is its evolving menu with items like salmon Ceasar salad, spicy shrimp pizza, and shrimp and avocado salad.

The menu also offers macaroni and cheese and desserts, including several cakes.

Since the pandemic, Newk’s has simplified prep processes, added in-store kiosks and table ordering, and offers catering.

Stores also are smaller with more diners now taking food to go or ordering through third-party vendors, Paci said.

More about Newk’s

Newk’s was founded in 2004 in Oxford, Mississippi.

Last year, FSC Franchise Co. in Tampa, Florida, purchased Newk’s. It’s the parent company of other fast-casual chains Beef ‘O’ Brady’s and The Brass Tap.

Newk’s is able to share resources with FSC for better purchasing power and efficiency, Paci said.

There are now 98 restaurants in 12 states. The closest Newk’s Eatery to Charlotte is about 155 miles away in Summerville, S.C., according to the company’s website.

Newk’s plans to grow to 150 stores over the next five years, Paci said.