Web Address: www.walk-ons.com
Category: Casual Dining
Established: 2003
Franchised Units: 3, in development (THIS WILL CHANGE BASED ON WHEN WE GO LIVE WITH THIS ARTICLE)
Began Franchising: 2015
Company-Owned Units: 5 – Plus 3 Happy’s Irish Pubs, Walk-On’s Catering & Rampart Room
Units in Development: 5
Key Advantages:
Louisiana inspired menu, along with other all American classics
Family-friendly environment
State of the art AV packages for your sports viewing pleasure
Craft Beer, hand-crafted cocktails and seasonal favorites
50% male & 50% female target audience
Engaging bar tables, with a pour your own draft consumer platform
Unique seasonal specialties rotated throughout the year
All-American Cheerleaders providing exceptional service
Attractive markets available throughout the US
Operating model empowers management efficiency and unit growth
What is a Walk-On?
A walk-on is an athlete trying out for a team who has not been drafted, invited, scouted, awarded a scholarship… you get the picture.
Brandon Landry and Jack Warner, our founders and walk-ons for the LSU basketball team, played proudly for the Tigers, driven by the team camaraderie and their true love of the game.
During their time on the team, Brandon and Jack had amazing opportunities to travel and visit the best of the best in restaurants and sports bars around the country. While they were lucky enough to be living one dream of playing LSU basketball, they were also beginning to create a new dream.
In 2001, on a plane ride home from a game at the University of Tennessee, the floor plan for Walk-On’s Bistreaux & Bar was drawn on the back of a napkin. Brandon and Jack submitted their business plan for Walk-On’s to one of their professors for a class project. The professor gave them a C, saying their idea needed some work, which only motivated Brandon and Jack even more. After six banks denied them a loan for Walk-On’s, the seventh bank finally agreed to help turn their dream into reality. Throughout the process of opening Walk-On’s, they discovered their ultimate non-negotiable they still abide by today:
Never stop trying!
During their years on the bench, Brandon and Jack learned that being a walk-on was a privilege, and even though they didn’t play much, they were just as important to the team as the star players. Legendary Coach Dale Brown taught them that everyone on a TEAM has one common goal: To Win! Brandon and Jack took the lessons learned from the hardwood floors and brought them to life on the floors of their restaurants and bars. Today, Walk-On’s Bistreaux & Bar’s vision is TO WIN!
Everywhere. Every way. Everyone. Every day.
Brandon, Jack and the entire Walk-On’s team work hard every day to ensure every customer has a winning experience with great food, beverages, service and atmosphere. Our entire team thanks you for the support. Cheers to you and your dream!
In 2015, Entrepreneur, Philanthropist and All-Pro Quarterback Drew Brees joined the Walk-On’s Team as a partner.
The Concept
If you have ever visited Louisiana, we sometimes spell things just a little differently. Bistreaux, with the “eaux,” pays tribute to our Louisiana roots and is pronounced the same as Bistro. At Walk-On’s we take pride in being a sports bar that focuses on our food. We prepare quality food made with the finest ingredients including Louisiana seafood and hand pressed burgers. When we say we’re from Louisiana, we know it better be delicious and we better have a good time.
ESPN took notice of our great food and culture in 2012. Our guests made their voices heard as they helped vote Walk-On’s the Best Sports Bar in North America. Our incredible team members, amazing ambiance delicious food was validated when we took the crown over many other great restaurant concepts.
Our business model is simple, serve great inspired food with a fun “game day” atmosphere. We look for culinary minded, hard workers who will never sacrifice quality over quantity and to have those creations served up by America’s cheerleaders.
Awards
In 2012, Walk-On’s Bistreaux and Bar was named the #1 Sports Bar in America by ESPN.
In 2015, Walk-On’s Bistreaux and Bar won the national Coca-Cola Shake, Sparkle and Stir mixology competition at MUFSO, one of the top industry events in franchising.