NEW YORK Famous Dave’s will add to the barbecue boom here with plans to open seven restaurants in the city and nearby Westchester County, the Minneapolis-based chain said Wednesday.
The restaurants will be operated by new franchisee Famous NY Barbecue LLC, which is led by New York City restaurateur Sammy Benmoha. Benmoha owns and operates Maxie’s Delicatessen and the Roxy Delicatessen, the latter with his father, Jacob. Both eateries are in Times Square, which also will be the site of the franchisee’s first Famous Dave’s location, the chain said.
New York City has seen the opening of several barbecue restaurants over the past few years, including Hill Country and pop star Justin Timberlake’s Southern Hospitality. Multiconcept operator B.R. Guest also is opening up a barbecue concept called Wildwood BBQ later this year.
Also on Wednesday, Famous Dave’s of America Inc. reported a 3.5-percent increase in revenue, to $31.9 million for the third quarter ended Sept. 30. Net income was $1.6 million, or 16 cents per diluted share for the quarter, compared with 15 cents per diluted share a year ago. Same-store sales for restaurants open at least 18 months increased 2.1 percent, a slight decline from a 3.1-percent increase reported for last year’s third quarter.
Famous Dave’s of America operates or franchises 155 restaurants in 35 states.