Lexington, Kentucky is set to welcome back Newk’s Eatery, a popular Southern restaurant chain that previously had a presence in the market for nearly a decade before exiting in 2021. The company plans to establish three to five new locations in the Lexington and Central Kentucky area, with aspirations to expand to a total of 15 locations across Kentucky, including several in Louisville.
Newk’s CEO, Frank Paci, announced the plans during a recent interview, expressing confidence in the brand’s potential resurgence in Lexington. “Historically, we know there’s an appetite for the Newk’s brand in Lexington,” he remarked. The chain previously operated on Richmond Road and near Fayette Mall, but closed its doors during the pandemic after struggling to recover.
Founded in Oxford, Mississippi, Newk’s Eatery began as a sandwich shop and has since expanded to provide a diverse menu that includes sandwiches, salads, pizzas, and soups. Paci highlighted items such as the Salmon Caesar Salad and Shrimp Caesar Salad as prime examples of the upscale options that differentiate Newk’s from competitors like McAlister’s and Panera.
Paci, who has experience from his time at McAlister’s, noted that both chains share a similar origin, being launched by the same family. He expressed optimism regarding competition in the Lexington market: “I don’t see any reason why we couldn’t compete,” he stated. He also shared that the new iterations of Newk’s would focus on increasing food quality, aiming to streamline the menu from its prior offerings.
The push for more locations in Central Kentucky stems from a strategic approach to select sites with a strong daytime population, making lunchtime a significant target. Paci said, “Typically a good real estate location for us is one with a good daytime population,” which can help boost sales during lunch hours as well as evenings and weekends, especially since the menu includes pizza.
The company hopes to secure a franchise partner within the year and aims to open its first location by 2026. A full rollout of all planned locations is expected within five years. While some new establishments may feature drive-thrus, Paci indicated that Newk’s primarily relies on carryout and catering to meet customer needs.
In Lexington’s evolving restaurant landscape, Newk’s looks to tap into the market’s historical fondness for its brand. The earlier Richmond Road location was deemed successful before the impacts of COVID-19 stalled its operations. “We’d open another store there today if we could,” Paci stated, reaffirming the company’s commitment to reviving its presence in Lexington.
