Walk-On's Sports Bistreaux is offering a more detailed look at its streamlined "next-generation sports bar model," a prototype the Baton Rouge-based chain first announced in August. The first store in the format is scheduled to open early next year at 8150 Perkins Road in Baton Rouge, La.
Designed by Madrid-based restaurant design firm Livit, the prototype is intended for smaller stores of roughly 3,500 to 4,500 square feet. The company said the design aims to help operators maximize space, improve operations and create a more engaging guest experience. By comparison, a traditional Walk-On's spans 7,000 to more than 8,000 square feet; the new Baton Rouge location is approximately 3,688 square feet and will seat 125 guests.
A flexible "kit of parts"
Rather than relying on a single fixed layout, the new design is built as a flexible "kit of parts," the company said, allowing franchisees to select or add key elements based on their market, site and personal preference. Renderings of the concept were provided by Livit.
Inside, the bar remains the center of the restaurant, arranged in a peninsula-style configuration that can adapt to different layouts. Near the hostess stand, pickup cubbies are designed to fill off-premise orders without disrupting the flow of dine-in service.
Back-of-house changes
In the back of house, new equipment such as clamshell griddles is intended to simplify training, improve consistency and reduce ticket times, according to the company, while still allowing the restaurants to serve the full Walk-On's menu.
Building on existing lessons
The prototype builds on lessons from Walk-On's existing restaurants, including a 3,700-square-foot location at The Battery in Atlanta. According to the company, that location demonstrated that Walk-On's can deliver its full menu and sports-bar experience in a more compact, inline format, and the brand is applying those learnings to a "purpose-built prototype" meant to give franchisees more options.
"We wanted to rethink what the Walk-On's experience can look like without losing what makes us Walk-On's," said Brandon Landry, CEO and co-founder of Walk-On's Sports Bistreaux. He said the new design gives franchisees more flexibility in where and how they build, while keeping the energy, hospitality and community connection that guests know and love.
Company background
Walk-On's was founded in 2003 in Baton Rouge by LSU Basketball walk-ons Landry and Jack Warner. The chain now has more than 80 locations nationwide.