Scenic views at Twin Peaks reached new heights in 2012 – literally. The rapidly expanding concept, known for its ultimate man cave atmosphere, recently relocated its corporate offices to the 12th floor of Prestonwood Office Complex in Addison, Texas.

The new space is located directly across the street from Twin Peaks’ Addison and closely resembles a Twin Peaks restaurant location, down to the favorite ‘Buck Hunter’ video game in the lobby. The move was just a part of a banner year for the rapidly expanding concept. 

In 2012, Twin Peaks signed multiple franchise agreements with new and existing franchisees to result in 50 commitments to be developed over the next several years, resulting in more than 100 franchise store commitments total. When combined with the year’s aggressive corporate development, Twin Peaks expects to increase the number of open locations from 28 to more than 50 restaurants open for business by the end of 2013. 

This will include the chain’s first location in Las Vegas on the strip outside of Planet Hollywood and the Cosmopolitan hotel. The Las Vegas restaurant will be a “mega-outpost” with over 14,000 sq. ft. and one rock-climbing wall, as well as three levels featuring a mezzanine and a third floor open-air patio and bar.

Among the company’s achievements in 2012, Twin Peaks:

• Debuted its 28th restaurant, now open in Houston.
• Expanded in top markets across the country, including opening its first locations in Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina, and adding restaurants in existing markets.
• Signed agreements for 50 new restaurants with new and existing franchise groups to bring total franchise commitments to be developed to more than 100.
• Debuted the annual Twin Peaks Girls Calendar.
• Hosted the concept’s Second Annual All-Star Bikini Contest in Dallas.
• Increased Average Unit Volumes from $3.4 million in 2011 to $4 million + in 2012
• SMU and the Dallas Business Journal named parent company, Front Burner Restaurants, one of the Fastest Growing Companies in Dallas.

“We celebrated great success last year and felt it was time to expand our corporate team,” says CEO Randy DeWitt. “Not only did we add to our internal staff but we signed multiple development agreements with some of the top restaurant operators in the country, including Chalak Peaks Restaurant, LLC, DMD Restaurant Group and KC Lodge Ventures, LLC. Working with groups of such high caliber that recognize Twin Peaks’ potential is a huge achievement, and we look forward to having talented new operators on board.”

The new franchise groups who signed with Twin Peaks in 2012 include: 

SBC Restaurants, LLC, signed an agreement to open five stores in the New Orleans area. The group includes Gary Solomon, an investment partner with more than 25 years experience who operates a venture capital group; Kyle Brechtel, managing partner with more than nine years experience with Brechtel Ventures, which operates McAlister’s Deli and Merchant Café in New Orleans; and Kyle Crochet, operating partner with more than 18 years restaurant experience including six years with Brinker International, where he managed eight restaurants with $25 million in sales, and three years with McAlister’s where he oversaw nine stores.

AZ Peaks Restaurant Group, LLC will open four stores in Arizona. The group is composed of restaurant veteran Lee Cohn, co-developer of Ed Debevic’s with Rich Melman of Lettuce Entertain You Enterprises. Cohen has more than 38 years experience as a multi-unit operator and is a board member of Oregano’s Pizza Bistro, Mastro’s Restaurants and Quaker Steak and Lube; Shopping center developer Jay Schneider of Frontera Development who has developed more than 20 million square feet of retail transactions, will be responsible for site selection, lease negotiation, and real estate plans; operating partner Andrew Bayless, who also oversees operations for six Buffalo Wild Wings units; and operating partner Carolyn Vangelos, former general manger of California Pizza Kitchen and co-operating partner with Bayless for Buffalo Wild Wings, she will be responsible for operations, training and recruitment. 

Chalak Peaks Restaurants, LLC, signed a six-store agreement to develop Twin Peaks in Texarkana, Tyler, Longview, Killeen/Temple, Waco and Shreveport. The Chalak Peaks group is comprised of a team of experienced restaurateurs who have been involved in the restaurant industry since 1998. The group owns and operates 260 different restaurant concepts nationwide, including Baker Bros-American Deli, Genghis Grill and Pepper Smash, as well as multiple Yum! Brand restaurants such as KFC, Taco Bell and Long John Silvers. 

Beachside Ski Lodge, LLC will open four Twin Peaks restaurants throughout Mississippi with his first to open in Jackson, Mississippi in June 2013 then to follow in Hattiesburg and the Gulf Coast. Brad Smith operates VooDoo BBQ and has brought on experienced operating partner Paul Howard to join his team and head up Twin Peaks.   

KC Lodge Ventures, LLC has signed an agreement to open the first three Twin Peaks restaurants in Kansas City, the first to open in Olathe, KC in April 2013.  KC Lodge Ventures is made up of experienced restaurateurs Paul Khoury, his son Patrick Khoury and Tom Petersen of PB&J Restaurants. PB&J is a highly respected restaurant group in Kansas City with development of six restaurants concepts throughout the Midwest, including the growth of Kansas City favorites Yia Yia's, Paradise Grill, and Yahooz, as well as helping to franchise Red Robin throughout the area. PB&J is known for its unique tradition of giving a Harley Sportster Motorcycle to any staff member who has worked with one of their concepts full time for 15 years, they plan to carry that tradition into the Twin Peaks concept.  

FloKel, LLC signed on to expand Twin Peaks throughout West Texas and the Panhandle, with the first location beginning construction this spring in San Angelo. The group is made up of several operating partners in the West Texas area, including Juan Flores and Kristen Oliver. Oliver will be responsible for the day-to-day operations and previously held a management position at Bone Daddy’s. Flores and the FloKel partners operate a Tony Roma’s restaurant and a Marble Slab Creamery in the West Texas area.  

DMD Restaurant Group, LLC signed a 10-store agreement to develop Twin Peaks in Miami, Ft. Lauderdale, Boca Raton and West Palm Beach over the next several years. The DMD Restaurant Group is made up of franchise partners and experienced restaurateurs Jack Flechner, Joe Sloboda, and Fred Burgess. As operators of Five Guys Burgers and VooDoo BBQ locations in the Miami area, the DMD partners have a combined 10+ years of restaurant experience.