Newk’s Eatery Coming to Indiana

A popular fast casual restaurant is expanding to Indiana. Mississippi-based Newk’s Eatery has announced a development agreement with Indy Eatery LLC to open 15 locations in the Indianapolis and southern Indiana markets beginning in 2017.

Indy Eatery, co-owned by Carmel native Kent Mabe, will be the operating partner for the Indy market. Newk’s says the new restaurants will open "over the next several years."

"Indy Eatery will be locally operated by a native of the Indianapolis area who understands the market and, with his deep experience in fast casual, is an ideal partner to introduce the Newk’s brand to Indiana," said Chris Cheek, chief development officer for Newk’s. "Our Indianapolis locations will provide a strong base from which to build the Newk’s brand in the Midwest."

The deal with Indy Eatery is the fourth development agreement in 2016 for Newk’s, which plans to open more than 45 new restaurants over the next four years, with a goal of having 200 by 2019.