Newk’s Eatery Opened Second Wichita Location
Franchisees expanded the brand’s local footprint, signaling plans for further growth in the Wichita market.
Updated on Oct. 10, 2026 in Openings & Closings
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Newk’s Eatery opened its second restaurant in Wichita, Kansas, on October 5, 2026. The 3,500-square-foot location is situated at 3905 N. Ridge Road on the city’s west side.
Why it matters
The opening marks a steady expansion for the brand in the region just 10 months after the market debut. It reflects the growth trajectory of franchisees who are actively seeking to establish a larger footprint in and around the city.
The new site measures 3,500 square feet, representing the second unit opened in Wichita in 10 months. Newk's Eatery currently operates across 12 states.
The players
Melody Matulewic
Franchisee who operates the restaurant locations in Wichita.
Scott Hatchett
Franchisee who operates the restaurant locations in Wichita.
FSC Franchise Co.
The Jackson, Mississippi-based parent company that manages the Newk's Eatery brand across 12 states.
The details
Franchisees Melody Matulewic and Scott Hatchett opened the west-side location to increase local market penetration. The parent company, Jackson, Mississippi-based FSC Franchise Co., continues to rely on experienced partners to scale the brand in new territories.
Timeline
December 2025: The first Wichita location debuted.
October 5, 2026: The second Wichita location opened.
Market Landscape
This opening follows the industry pattern of using proven local operators to scale brand presence through sequential multi-unit development. It mirrors the standard franchise growth strategy of clustering locations to leverage supply chain and marketing efficiencies.
Operators in the region should monitor the franchisees' pace of expansion to gauge the competitive impact on local dining capacity. Evaluate your own growth strategy against the logistical hurdles of adding consecutive units within a single city.
The takeaway
Rapid multi-unit expansion requires tight operational coordination to maintain brand standards across growing footprints. Monitor the development pace of active competitors to ensure your own local capacity projections remain competitive.
Further reading
For more on industry growth patterns, visit Openings & Closings.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Fast Casual.
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