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Bar Louie cultivates local rootsBar Louie cultivates local roots

As the brand grows nationally, it works to foster neighborhood feel

Ron Ruggless, Senior Editor

September 22, 2016

5 Min Read
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Bar Louie remains a restaurant brand that has grown nationally by tailoring its local image.

John Neitzel, CEO of parent BL Restaurant Operations LLC, said the casual-dining brand plans to end the year with between 15 and 16 new restaurants and foresees doing the same in 2017.

The smallest unit occupies 2,400 square feet in Evanston, Ill, and the largest is 10,400 square feet in Foxborough, Mass., Neitzel said. The targeted number seats are 200 with 50 to 75 additional seats on an outdoor patio.

Bar Louie currently has 117 casual-dining units in 27 states and Washington D.C., Ninety-two units are company-owned and 25 are franchised. 

The brand, which first opened in Chicago in 1991, was acquired in 2010 by private-equity firm Sun Capital Par...

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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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