Bar Louie is still growing in 2016, announcing recent corporate openings in California, Maryland, New Jersey, Ohio, and franchise agreements in South Carolina and Kentucky.
Bar Louie has expanded its collection of local gathering spots to more than 120 national locations, with 14 new locations opening in 2016 at least 20 more openings planned for 2017.
Now in 28 states across America, Bar Louie recently opened in California at 9301 Tampa Avenue in Northridge and on 8860 Apollo Way in Downey. In addition, it set up shop in Anderson Town Center at 7480 Beechmont Avenue in Cincinnati—its second location in the Queen City—and has signed new franchise development agreements with groups in Charleston and Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, and a deal for three new locations in Louisville and Lexington, Kentucky.
“The recent deals and openings are crowning achievements for the Bar Louie brand and we are setting up nicely to be a unique presence in neighborhoods across the country,” says Bar Louie CEO John Neitzel. “We have an aggressive national growth plan to bring our high quality food and drinks to everyone.”
Bar Louie is expanding both through corporate locations and through qualified franchise partners. Two of Bar Louie’s 16 openings in 2016 were with franchisees, while the bar and eatery plans on opening five franchise locations in 2017.
Each location will be approximately 7,000 square feet and create about 50 new jobs for communities. In times when many restaurants are closing their doors, Bar Louie’s Green Initiative allows it to make any space conform to a Bar Louie and take advantage of re-purposing as much as possible. Every Bar Louie is different and takes on the local flavor and environment that it is in.
“We are excited and honored to bring Bar Louie to the people of Lexington, Kentucky,” sasaysid Brandon Watson of the Jackson Group 8five9, which signed on for three locations in the Bluegrass State. “We have no doubt that our food and drinks will impress every neighborhood and become a mainstay in cities and towns for years to come.”
The bar and eatery is still actively looking to attract local entrepreneurs and restaurateurs who are looking to expand their portfolio and Bar Louie will take a look at any restaurants that are seeking to close. To appeal to a broader consumer base, the concept offers four revenue streams with its four unique dayparts—lunch, happy hour, dinner, and late night.
Founded in Chicago’s River North neighborhood in 1991, Bar Louie emerged from local restaurants and sandwich shops opened by its founders, local Chicago restaurateurs. When Bar Louie was first established, its two founders set out with a goal to continue the tradition of these shops while also giving local residents dining and beverage options for each part of the day. The “Louie” sandwich was a staple of the early restaurants and is still served at Bar Louie establishments across the country.
