Walk-On’s Grows Prototype With 20-Unit Deal

Walk-On’s Sports Bistreaux will put its latest prototype to work through a recently inked deal with Port Royal Brands.

Port Royal Brands will open 20 restaurants throughout Georgia and Tennessee featuring  the prototype, which comes with a smaller footprint, upgraded technology, enhanced guest experience and state-of-the-art kitchens.

Port Royal includes Phil Sanford, founder and chairman, and Jef Wallace, CEO. Sanford has plenty of restaurant experience, having previously owned The Krystal Company Restaurant Brand, which grew to over 400 restaurants in 13 states under his leadership. Wallace has expertise in strategy creation and transformation execution for several global restaurant brands. He brings a holistic view of franchising with deep backgrounds in real estate, supply chain, operations and finance.

The first of Port Royal’s Walk-On’s locations is set to open in 2025.

“Our strategy for the new restaurant prototype was to enable sustainable profit growth for Walk-On’s and our franchisees,” says Jennifer Striepling, Walk-On’s chief development officer, in the release. “We are excited to welcome Port Royal to the team to build the new arena. Phil and Jef bring a remarkable level of financial and operational acumen to Walk-On’s brand evolution as we grow our new prototype.”

Walk-On’s has nearly 80 restaurants in the U.S. and aims to accelerate its nationwide expansion. Its menu boasts scratch-made dishes, paired with a wide selection of cocktails and beers.