Thirsty Lion Gastropub & Grill, a Portland, Oregon-based made-from-scratch kitchen restaurant concept, has been expanding across the West since its launch in 2011, with nine locations in Oregon, Arizona, Texas and Colorado and plans to open two more U.S. locations in 2019. The fast-growing chain has opened two North Texas locations in the last year and a half – Irving’s Toyota Music Factory in September 2017 and Euless’s Glade Parks Town Center in December 2018. Since opening in 2011, Thirsty Lion has created approximately 900 jobs nationwide; 100 jobs per location.
“We’ve experienced enormous success and North Texans have welcomed us with open arms,” says Thirsty Lion Gastropub & Grill CEO John Plew. “We know more developments similar to these will create success in other major cities.”
The third Thirsty Lion Texas location will make its home in The Colony’s Grandscape. Slated to open in Winter 2020, Thirsty Lion will join a variety of unique restaurants, an outdoor amphitheater, a convention center, a hotel and spa, and more. When completed, Grandscape will stretch across 400 acres, and will boast 3.9 million square feet of retail, entertainment, dining and attractions. Thirsty Lion’s Grandscape location will be its most unique yet. The Gastropub’s first two-story location will feature a second-floor bar and patio on the roof as well as 5,000 square feet of outdoor seating and an additional 2,500 square foot yard patio with lawn games. Additionally, Thirsty Lion plans to open a fourth Arizona location at Phoenix’s Desert Ridge Marketplace in Fall 2019.
Each location is unique to its environment and features fire pits, multiple tv screens, outdoor patios and an industrial dining room equipped with top-of-the line acoustics, allowing for the simultaneous enjoyment of music, conversation and sports watching. As part of its growth plan, Thirsty Lion recently added a weekend brunch menu at all locations. Beginning at 10:00 am to 2:00 pm on Saturday and Sunday, patrons enjoy featured brunch items such as Spicy Fried Chicken and Waffles, Irish Whiskey French Toast and Lion’s Breakfast Burger. Bloody Marys and Mimosas are available as well as Texas Flight, which features six (4 oz.) pours from local breweries – Karbach, Deep Ellum, Community, Real Ale, Peticolas and 512 Brewery. Thirsty Lion also offers holiday food and drink specials at all locations, making it a perfect spot to celebrate a special occasion or watch your favorite sports team.
Thirsty Lion believes in promoting from within and finding talent and potential within its servers, bartenders and back of the house staff who are looking for career advancement. In 2018, Thirsty Lion was named as a Top 50 Emerging Restaurant Brands, according to FSR Magazine.
“One of our long-time employees, Jennifer Fern of Tempe, AZ, is a great example of how hard work pays off,” says Plew. “She started as a bartender and has been promoted twice since starting her journey with us in 2012. She is now responsible for all in house training and development of all new hire managers and chefs. This proves our talent selection combined with our company’s strong core values makes Thirsty Lion a great place to work.”
