The sports bar brand is planning for exponential growth.
Walk-On’s Sports Bistreaux, an all-American sports bar franchise with 46 locations open an 150 in development, has announced plans for aggressive expansion throughout 2021.
The organization is currently planning to open upward of 25 new sites this year, fuelled by a recent growth equity investment from 10 Point Capital.
“Our 2020 success was a collective effort of our determined leadership team and committed group of franchisees,” said Brandon Landry, founder and CEO of Walk-On’s. “By prioritizing the needs of our franchisees, team members, and communities, we were able to successfully innovate, adapt and come out on top. 2021 will prove to be a fruitful year as we roll out new initiatives, achieve major company milestones and continue our strategic nationwide expansion. Our team is committed to the long game – growing strategically with the right franchise partners who are a cultural fit – and aspiring to be more than just a restaurant.”
Throughout the pandemic, Walk-On’s prioritized the security of franchisees by suspending royalty payments. The brand also introduced ‘Curbside To-Geaux’, online ordering, a new mobile app, and third-party delivery partnerships.
“Not only did the pandemic inspire a new wave of creative innovation, but it forced leaders to be aggressive in rolling out new products and services – realizing the value of not only preparing for the future, but acting on it sooner,” said Scott Taylor, president and COO of Walk-On’s. “By quickly pivoting and rolling out these new revenue streams, we have since clawed back at sales with takeout remaining approximately two times what it was pre-COVID, with indoor capacity limits still ranging from 50 to 75 per cent.”
As well as the growth of standard locations in 2021, Walk-On’s is planning to construct its first non-traditional site on Purdue University’s West Lafayette campus, and will also debut its new restaurant prototype, the ‘Bulldog’, which is centered around creating the same experience in a smaller space.
