'Middle-market' eatery preps for D-FW debut
Dallas Business Journal - by Lisa Tanner
Keg Restaurants Ltd. has tapped Dallas-Fort Worth as one of the key expansion markets for its steakhouse concept.
The Vancouver, B.C.-based company saturated the Canadian market, then moved into the Pacific Northwest and now runs 80 restaurants.
Keg Steakhouse and Bar will debut in the Metroplex Nov. 20 with a restaurant in Southwest Crossing development in southwest Fort Worth.
The company is negotiating for other Metroplex sites that would open in the next 12 to 18 months, said Doug Smith, director of Texas operations. It's eyeing the Frisco, Las Colinas, Grapevine and Addison areas, planning to open at least three restaurants next year, he said.
"There are plenty of steak restaurants in Dallas and Fort Worth," Smith said.
But the company sees its niche in the middle of the market, between the lower-end, family-type restaurants and the upper-end businessman-on-expense-account-type joints.
"We offer outstanding quality food, decor and service," Smith said. And one-third of the restaurant's space is taken over by an energetic bar, a key component of the concept, he added.
The company once had franchised operations in Fort Worth, but Dallasites aren't familiar with its restaurants, which report a 95% brand awareness in Canada, Smith said.
The average dinner cost, including liquor, wine or beer, runs about $25, with lunch in the $12 range.
Location, location
Look for a new retail or restaurant use for the site of the old Highland Park Texaco, which dates to 1926.
The site is at the corner of Mockingbird Lane and Airline Road, just across from SMU's new Gerald J. Ford Stadium. It's on the going-to-work side of the road on the Dallas-University Park border. A local investor purchased the site, according to broker Jared Caplan of S.F. Waranch Co. in Dallas.
Caplan also negotiated a lease for V-Twin Holdings Inc. for a relocation of its Biker's Dream store. The motorcycle retailer will go into the former T.G.I. Friday's restaurant site on Composite Drive near Interstate 35E in Dallas. It's another step in revitalizing the former "Restaurant Row" area, Caplan said.
Sharon Herrin of WindStar Properties handled negotiations for Friday's parent Carlson Restaurants Worldwide.
Changing names
When is a Mexican grill not a Mexican grill? When it causes customer confusion, apparently.
Chipotle Mexican Grill, which breezed into the Metroplex late last year and now operates six local restaurants, will now be known simply as Chipotle. But it will also add "burritos & tacos" to its signs to convey its offerings.
The term Mexican grill raised expectations of traditional Tex-Mex fare, according to Steve Ells, Chipotle CEO and founder. Instead the restaurant offers gourmet items including cilantro-lime rice, whole beans rather than refried and grilled, marinated steak and freshly made guacamole.
The restaurants will soon serve domestic and imported bottled beer and margaritas at all locations.
Shopping around
• Iron Horse Antique Mall has leased a 45,000-square-foot building at 4240 Alpha Road in Farmers Branch from Magdy Elwany. Gary Eberhart of David Little Real Estate Inc. represented the antique mall operator, with Mark Miller of Robert Lynn Co. representing the landlord.
• McKinney Retail Partners Ltd. has wrapped up phase two of El Dorado Village in McKinney. The 25,000-square-foot shopping center, at Eldorado Parkway and Lake Forest Drive, is fully leased. Lynn Dowdle of John Bowles Co. represented the buyer for the land purchase and was exclusive leasing agent for the project. Mark R. Smith Co. Inc. of Dallas is the general partner.
• Restaurant concept guru Phil Romano and executive chef Nick Badovinus have rolled out a new, heartier menu at We Oui.
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