Slater’s 50/50, the casual-dining chain known for its bacon-beef burgers and beer, has opened its first franchised restaurant, just after the founder closed the sale of the concept.
The franchise opened on June 19, in Dallas, the seventh location of the Anaheim Hills, Calif.-based chain, which was sold earlier this year to The Elite Restaurant Group.
Scott Slater, who founded the restaurant in 2009, and stepped down as president since the sale to take the title of “Baron of Bacon,” said the restaurant is the brand’s first outside of California.
Dave Coussirat, the Dallas franchisee, said he first experienced Slater’s 50/50 during a trip to San Diego and knew he had to bring the concept to his hometown of Dallas. His company, Restaurant Ventures Unlimited, also franchises the Dallas-based Fish City Grill concept.
“With so many creative burgers, bacon and craft beer, Slater’s 50/50 was an obvious fit for the Lone Star State,” Coussirat said. “We’re excited to make it part of Texas.”
Slater’s 50/50 founder Scott Slater, left, and franchise owner Dave Coussirat at the new restaurant in Dallas.
Slater’s 50/50’s signature burger features a patty that is half ground beef and half ground bacon. Bacon also shows up in cocktails, macaroni and cheese, ketchup, milk shakes, cheese fries and brownies. Other items include Dr Pepper-glazed chicken wings, carne asada fries and a mint-Guinness milk shake.
The restaurant has three levels, each with its own bar. The draught taps on the first floor create a design feature behind the bar, and the rooftop patio provides a view of Dallas. The restaurant has more than 5,300 square feet on the first floor and mezzanine, and an additional 1,406 square feet on the rooftop patio. The restaurant seats 171 inside and 129 on the street patio and rooftop.
Slater said he and Coussirat began talking about franchising possibilities long before the concept’s sale was announced late last year.
“Making the decision to expand to Dallas for the first franchise was a no-brainer,” Slater said. “Bacon, burgers and Texas go hand in hand.”
Nation’s Restaurant News named Slater’s 50/50 a Hot Concept Award winner in 2014.
Slater’s 50/50 has restaurants in the California cities of Anaheim Hills, Huntington Beach, Pasadena, Rancho Cucamonga, San Diego and San Marcos.
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