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Firebirds crafts a few changes as it opens 55th unit, the 1st in TexasFirebirds crafts a few changes as it opens 55th unit, the 1st in Texas

Brand offers new colors as well as signage that emphasizes “Wood Fired Grill”

Ron Ruggless, Senior Editor

March 1, 2022

Firebirds Wood Fired Grill, with the opening in mid-February of its first restaurant in Texas, has provided some changes from its earlier 54 units, according to Stephen Loftis, the company’s vice president of marketing.

With slightly modified exterior signage to enhance its “Wood Fired Grill” heritage, the 22-year-old Charlotte, N.C.-based casual-dining brand’s latest restaurant is in Alliance Town Center in Keller, Texas, north of Fort Worth.

A second Texas unit will open later this year in Plano, Loftis said.

“We're super excited to be here in the Dallas-Fort Worth market,” Loftis said in a video interview at the new location, which opened Feb. 14. “This is No. 55 for us.”

Executives are pleased with the new look.

“We're pretty happy about where we've evolved,” Loftis added. “We’ve got some really unique kind of trendy contemporary colors.”

With the Texas opening, Firebirds, founded in 2000, has locations in 20 states.

The Fort Worth Firebirds’ new Alliance Town Center restaurant is near a Chuy’s and sports a media-connected private dining area for small groups. The restaurant is open daily from 11 a.m. until 10 p.m. on Sundays through Thursdays and until 11 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays.

Contact Ron Ruggless at [email protected]

Follow him on Twitter: @RonRuggless

About the Author

Ron Ruggless

Senior Editor, Nation’s Restaurant News / Restaurant Hospitality

Ron Ruggless serves as a senior editor for Informa Connect’s Nation’s Restaurant News (NRN.com) and Restaurant Hospitality (Restaurant-Hospitality.com) online and print platforms. He joined NRN in 1992 after working 10 years in various roles at the Dallas Times Herald newspaper, including restaurant critic, assistant business editor, food editor and lifestyle editor. He also edited several printings of the Zagat Dining Guide for Dallas-Fort Worth, and his articles and photographs have appeared in Food & Wine, Food Network and Self magazines. 

Ron Ruggless’ areas of expertise include foodservice mergers, acquisitions, operations, supply chain, research and development and marketing. 

Ron Ruggless is a frequent moderator and panelist at industry events ranging from the Multi-Unit Foodservice Operators (MUFSO) conference to RestaurantSpaces, the Council of Hospitality and Restaurant Trainers, the National Restaurant Association’s Marketing Executives Group, local restaurant associations and the Horeca Professional Expo in Madrid, Spain.

Ron Ruggless’ experience:

Regional and Senior Editor, Informa Connect’s Nation’s Restaurant News and Restaurant Hospitality (1992 to present)

Features Editor – Dallas Times Herald (1989-1991)

Restaurant Critic and Food Editor – Dallas Times Herald (1987-1988)

Editing Roles – Dallas Times Herald (1982-1987)

Editing Roles – Charlotte (N.C.) Observer (1980-1982)

Editing Roles – Omaha (Neb.) World-Herald (1978-1980)

Email: [email protected]

Social media:

Twitter@RonRuggless

LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/ronruggless

Instagram: @RonRuggless

TikTok: @RonRuggless

 

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