Gordon Biersch Brewery Restaurant Group will become the latest casual-dining operator to enter the fast-casual sector when it opens a downscale outpost of its 29-unit Gordon Biersch dinnerhouse chain near Sacramento, Calif., later this year.
Called Gordon Biersch Tavern, the 60-seat, 1,400-square-foot restaurant will be located at the Westfield Galleria in Roseville, Calif., and will feature a limited menu of signature dishes along with several handcrafted beers.
The tavern concept, which features an $11 check average, has been in the works for about two years, spokeswoman Kelly Wilson said, adding that current plans call for the opening of two to three more units in 2011 and four to five stores in 2012. All of the stores will be company owned.
“We are delighted to introduce the Gordon Biersch Tavern format at the Westfield Galleria in Roseville,” said Allen Corey, president and chief executive of the Chattanooga, Tenn.-based restaurant company. “We believe this is a natural extension of our brand.”
He said the restaurant “will continue with the same high-quality, made-from-scratch menu and same level of service and hospitality in this concept.”
The menu will include American-style Kobe sliders, mahi mahi fish tacos, and Gordon Biersch’s signature garlic fries. The restaurant will offer handcrafted beers, wines by the glass and such nonalcoholic options as freshly squeezed lemonade and housemade root beer.
The fast-casual segment has been growing increasingly attractive to full-service operators. Brands like Ruby Tuesday, Mimi’s Café, La Madeleine, Uno Chicago Grill, and Chili’s have said they are staking out positions in the fast-growing sector.
Contact Elissa Elan at [email protected].