Quaker Steak & Lube® Announces Plans for Nine New Restaurants in 2010
The economy and tight credit may have put growth on the back burner at many restaurant chains, but not at Quaker Steak & Lube. The motor-sports themed casual dining chain is on a growth spurt. Ground recently was broken on its first Colorado location, and a new five-unit development agreement will bring The Lube to two more new states this year.
Quaker Steak & Lube’s first Colorado restaurant, owned by current multi-unit franchisee Bob Bolan, will be located in the Denver suburb of Westminster. Bolan owns three Lubes in Ohio and West Virginia. The new restaurant is expected to open in October and will be the chain’s furthest west location. The 7,400 square foot building will house two bars, feature a patio and seat close to 400 guests. It will bring 200 jobs to Westminster.
Quaker Steak & Lube also recently signed a development agreement for five new restaurants in Indiana and Michigan with Giltz and Associates, which currently operates one Quaker Steak & Lube unit in Virginia. The company is planning restaurants in Indianapolis and Fort Wayne, Ind., and Grand Rapids and Livonia, Mich. They will be the first Quaker Steak & Lube restaurants in Michigan.
According to Quaker Steak & Lube president and CEO John Longstreet, the chain, which currently has 38 restaurants in 13 states and Canada, is planning to open a total of nine units this year. Last year, it added six. “We are excited to be bringing The Lube concept as far west as Colorado. The motorsports theme, award-winning food and supercharged events make it the most unique dining experience in the industry, therefore positioning it for growth,” Longstreet said.
By the end of the year, The Lube will also have expanded to Kentucky and opened additional franchised and company owned restaurants in Virginia, Wisconsin and Ohio.
