Twin Peaks parent revokes franchise after fatal Texas shootingTwin Peaks parent revokes franchise after fatal Texas shooting

Front Burner Restaurants LP, parent to the Twin Peaks chain, has revoked the franchise agreement of the Waco, Texas, unit where nine people were killed in a shootout between motorcycle gangs, as well as with police, the company said Monday.

Addison, Texas-based Front Burner said in a statement that the franchised casual-dining restaurant, which opened in August, had not followed advice to enhance security to prevent possible motorcycle gang violence.

Sunday’s fatal fight, which led to the deaths, as well as 18 injuries, began in the restaurant’s restroom and spilled into the parking lot, police said.

“Unfortunately, the management team of the franchised restaurant in Waco chose to ignore the warnings and advice from both the police and our company, and did not uphold the high security standards we have in place to ensure everyone is safe at our restaurants,” Front Burner said in a statement sent to Nation’s Restaurant News.

“We will not tolerate the actions of this relatively new franchisee and are revoking their franchise agreement immediately.”

About 170 members of rival motorcycle gangs were charged Monday with engaging in organized crime in connection with the melee. Bond was set at $1 million for many of the suspects, according to a Fox News report.

W.H. Peterson, the McLennan County Justice of the Peace, defended the high bond amount, citing the violence that quickly unfolded in a shopping area with a busy lunchtime crowd.

Front Burner said Twin Peaks restaurants “are in the people business, and the safety of the employees and guests in our restaurants is priority one.”

In addition, the company stated: “Our sympathies continue to be with the families of those who died, and are very thankful no employees, guests, police officers or bystanders were hurt or injured.”

Founded in 2005 in the Dallas suburb of Lewisville, Texas, Twin Peaks has 69 locations in 24 states.

The concept, which is known for its scantily clad waitresses, mountain lodge decor, cold beer and comfort food, broke into the NRN Second 100 sales census last year with a cumulative two-year growth trend in U.S. sales of 158.9 percent.

Twin Peaks’ performance was driven by cumulative two-year increases in U.S. units of 119.9 percent, and estimated sales per unit of 24.8 percent.

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