Staffing
Photo: Newk’s
July 9, 2025
Chris Cheek is back at Newk’s Eatery as chief development officer, a role he previously held from 2014 to 2019, when he helped it double in size.
“During this time, the brand experienced tremendous growth due to our team, our menu and a focus on hospitality. I left in 2019 for another opportunity, but Newk’s has always felt like home,” Cheek said in a company press release.
Cheek’s return follows a period as CDO at Modern Market Eatery. He cited the timing, the team and the untapped potential of Newk’s, now backed by CapitalSpring and part of the FSC Franchise Co. portfolio, as key factors in his decision.
“What brought me back is that Newk’s has a stellar leadership team and a menu that’s meaningfully different from anything else in the fast-casual space,” Cheek said, highlighting menu items like shrimp and salmon and scratch-made salad dressings. “That translates to a stronger guest experience and the potential for attractive unit-level economics for franchisees.”
In his renewed role, Cheek will prioritize driving franchise growth through new development and supporting existing operators.
“Our franchisees are awesome,” he said. “Many of them are the same great partners I worked with before, and I’m excited to help them grow. But to reach our full potential, we also need to build a forward-looking pipeline of new franchisees. That’s my top priority — finding strong operators who believe in the product and the brand as much as I do.”
Cheek also noted Newk’s enhanced capabilities in site selection and real estate flexibility, including the conversion of second-generation spaces and drive-thru buildouts.
“When I left in 2019, we had just opened our first or second drive-thru,” Cheek said. “Now, we’ve opened multiple drive-thru restaurants, including one in McGee, Mississippi. We’ve also gotten really good at converting existing restaurant space — Pascagoula, Mississippi, for example, was a former IHOP that we turned around in under eight weeks. That kind of agility creates more opportunity in more markets.”
Cheek sees significant growth potential for Newk’s in small and mid-sized markets across the U.S., particularly east of the Mississippi, given the brand’s adaptable format.
“We’re sitting at almost 100 restaurants, which means we’re proven, but there’s still a lot of white space,” he said. “We’ve done really well in smaller markets where we often become a local destination. There are hundreds of places where Newk’s can grow.”
Frank Paci, CEO of Newk’s Eatery, expressed confidence in Cheek’s ability to lead the brand’s expansion.
“Chris brings unmatched knowledge of the Newk’s brand and a deep understanding of the restaurant and franchising space,” Paci said in the release. “He knows how to build relationships, identify growth opportunities and deliver results. We’re thrilled to welcome him back and confident that his leadership will guide Newk’s into its next phase of growth.”
Cheek believes the support of CapitalSpring and the FSC team will contribute to the brand’s sustainable expansion.
“Having CapitalSpring as a sponsor is a huge asset,” said Cheek. “They know the restaurant space from both the franchisor and franchisee sides, and their resources and insight will help us do this the right way.”
Founded in 2004 and headquartered in Jackson, Mississippi, Newk’s Eatery has nearly 100 locations across 12 states.
