Newk's Eatery Concludes 2025 With Robust Growth and Strategic Changes

As 2025 comes to a close, Newk's Eatery, the popular fast-casual restaurant chain known for its fresh offerings, is wrapping up the year on a high note. With a total of 10 new franchise agreements and the opening of five new locations, the brand is well-positioned for growth as it enters 2026. Among these innovations, Newk's has also made significant strides in operational improvements and marketing strategies that have exceeded their developmental targets, demonstrating a commitment to both quality food and customer satisfaction.

A Year of Achievements

According to CEO Frank Paci, Newk's enjoyed a stellar year, successfully smashing its development goals in terms of restaurant openings and commitments. "2025 was a successful year as we achieved our development targets in openings and development commitments," Paci stated, underscoring the chain's ambitious growth plan. This includes the brand’s expansion into new markets, which invites an entirely new customer base to discover their offerings.

Among the new outlets is a prominent location at the University of Georgia, targeting a youthful audience and capitalizing on the bustling campus environment. Additionally, new restaurants sprung up in various locations including Mandeville, LA; Statesboro, GA; Pascagoula, MS; and Wichita, KS, which speak to the brand’s strategy of diversifying market presence.

The franchisee community has shown strong confidence too, with several existing operators choosing to expand their portfolios by acquiring additional locations of Newk's restaurants.

Strategic Marketing Initiatives

To boost brand visibility, Newk's Eatery shifted a portion of its marketing budget from solely digital platforms to include traditional television advertising. This strategic pivot includes broadcast channels, Amazon, and connected TV, aiming to enhance brand awareness and engagement. These changes seem to have paid off, as brand performance saw a marked improvement in the latter half of the year. Alongside these marketing advancements, off-premise sales have also witnessed a notable increase, driven by a 1% growth in catering and over a 2% rise in delivery sales.

An innovative