Walk-On’s Introduces Smaller Unit Design | Franchise News


Toward the end of 2024, Walk-On’s Sports Bistreaux introduced a new, smaller prototype restaurant design it plans to roll out for expansion.

The move was one of several for a brand not only growing, but innovating at the same time. The new design includes a dedicated to-go space as the concept leans heavier into delivery orders and expands its catering capabilities. The changes are coming in the form of leadership, too, with the brand promoting former Chief Financial Officer Chris Porcelli to CEO in September.

At November’s Restaurant Finance and Development Conference, Chief Development Officer Jennifer Striepling called this a period of evolution for the company.

“We have a concept with this amazing food and an amazing environment and we’re looking at how we can continue to evolve that,” Striepling said. “We’ve also introduced an extensive amount of technology in the back of the house to help team members and respond to labor issues that everyone in the industry is running into.”

Striepling is a newer addition to the Walk-On’s roster. A design and construction graduate of Mount Mary University in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Striepling’s career includes time in retail and restaurants. She began her professional journey at Darden Restaurants with a focus on Olive Garden remodels.

After six years, she started her own design and construction business with several restaurant brands in the Midwest before making a shift toward retail with Kohl’s. Wanting to pivot back to restaurants, though, she continued her career with Bloomin’ Brands before working with Papa John’s.

“Eventually, in 2023, I was contacted by a recruiter about the opportunity at Walk-On’s,” Striepling said. “I had been part of scaling brands before and wanted to do so again.”







Walk Ons CDO Jennifer Striepling

Walk On’s Chief Development Officer Jennifer Striepling


Part of her contribution since joining is the new prototype, which ranges from 5,300 square feet to 5,500 square feet, a major drop from the original’s 10,000 square feet.

“We used our real estate platform and really looked at every unit that had ever been built,” Striepling said. “We looked at where they do well and why, and went from there. We learned that what we wanted was to be in end-cap type buildings in neighborhoods where families are. This allows us to do that.”

The prototype design will be applied to several new restaurants being developed as part of a new deal for the brand. In November, franchisee group Port Royal Brands signed a 20-unit agreement with Walk-On’s for Georgia and Tennessee.

The spurt of growth with the deal is part of a larger goal to open between 50 and 100 locations in the next three years. The brand steadily increased its unit count over the last five years, rising from 33 in 2019 to 80 to end 2023. Through 2024, Striepling said the brand was still at about 80 locations, as it had to close some underperforming stores, but 2025 should bring more expansion.

In addition to more efficiencies, new technology and a smaller space for better real estate potential, Striepling said the brand is working to improve the experience at Walk-On’s.

“One of my top priorities is attracting people to the restaurants,” Striepling said. “With this new prototype, we spent a lot of time on acoustics and where the TVs needed to be. We want to make sure everyone can see two or three TVs, so they can watch different games at each table. We also spent time with the sound, people want to talk about the game they’re watching while we have music playing. So, we worked to find the right ambient noise, too.”

The passion to create a good space for customers to enjoy sports isn’t just because of the concept, it goes back to the roots of the brand. The founder, former CEO and Chairman Brandon Landry was a walk-on player for Louisiana State University. Striepling, a Chicago native, has that passion, too, as a diehard supporter of the Chicago Cubs and Blackhawks.

Her attention when it comes to brand growth, though, is south of the Windy City, as Walk-On’s is eyeing from Texas through Florida for expansion.

“We have units there now, but we still have more than 300 white space opportunities in that geographical region,” Striepling said. “We want to focus on that and continue to build out our brand identity. Growth is our mindset and the phones continue to ring off the hook, which we’re grateful for. The team we’ve put together to support these franchisees is one of the best that I’ve worked with in the industry, too.”



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