The Lost Cajun, a family-friendly restaurant with a focus on authentic Cajun food served with Southern hospitality, is set to expand its North Carolina footprint even further. The Louisiana-based franchisor that focuses on providing a down-home atmosphere and southern hospitality you can feel is coming to Huntersville later this year.
The new restaurant – located by the fountain in the NorthCross Shopping Center at 9709-A Sam Furr Road – will be owned and operated by Steve Galloway, who less than two months ago signed a development agreement for a total of six restaurants throughout the Western North Carolina area.
Galloway worked with Steven Turner of Turner Commercial Properties in Charlotte to secure the site. Tom Walter of the Parker Walter Group in Sarasota, Florida is providing architectural and project management services to build out the restaurant.
Galloway will also be operating a food truck from his location. The food truck will begin introducing The Lost Cajun menu to customers this fall as it caters at various events throughout the area.
“I am excited about bringing The Lost Cajun’s culture to the greater Charlotte area,” Steve says. “After dining at The Lost Cajun’s Greenville location with my family, I couldn’t stop thinking about the delicious Cajun cooking and southern hospitality I experienced. The authentic taste and smell of the food is what stood out to me, but the outstanding customer service interactions amongst guests and employees was the kicker. It’s exactly the kind of Southern hospitality I was raised around and I knew I had to bring this amazing concept to my community.”
Somewhat of a lost Cajun himself, Galloway grew up in New Orleans, worked in local restaurants and began his professional restaurant career in Lafayette, Louisiana while in college. He knows authentic Cajun and New Orleans foods and appreciates Southern hospitality.
With more than 25 years’ experience developing and operating restaurants, Galloway has lead multi-unit businesses from start-ups and turn-arounds to large, multi-concept enterprises generating more than $100 million of revenue in the United States and abroad. These franchises included international brands such as Taco Bell, KFC, Pizza Hut, Subway and Dunkin Donuts, as well as a wide range of notable casual dining concepts. Currently, Galloway owns and operates five Dunkin’ Donuts in North Carolina.
The Lost Cajun’s menu offers diners a sampling of traditional Cajun fare, including a variety of gumbos – seafood, chicken and sausage, and vegetarian. Red beans and rice, fried seafood, crawfish etouffee and lobster bisque also top the menu, as does another Cajun staple, jambalaya. And what Cajun restaurant would be complete without beignets for dessert?
The Lost Cajun further distinguishes itself with a fantastic down-home atmosphere – a true hole-in-the-wall with wooden tables, unique decorations and an expertly crafted playlist of Zydeco music. The open kitchen concept harks back to the wooden counters in Louisiana’s gumbo houses; patrons can watch their food being cooked and hear the courtesy and respect commonly associated with Cajun culture.
“As we continue to expand in the Carolinas, it’s critical to find the right franchise partners who are deeply passionate about the brand and are excited to promote our Cajun culture,” says Raymond Griffin, Founder and CEO of The Lost Cajun. “This is why we couldn’t be more pleased to welcome Steve into The Lost Cajun family. We’ve known each other for several years now and Steve is a hardworking individual who shares our culture and values. Our proven business model paired with a successful restaurant pro like Steve is a winning combination, and we’re confident his first location in Huntersville will thrive.”
