WICHITA, KS – In a move that signals both the robustness of the Kansas market and the accelerating momentum of the brand’s national expansion, Newk’s Eatery has officially announced the opening of its second Wichita location. Situated on the city’s rapidly developing west side at 3905 N. Ridge Road, Suite 210, the new 3,600-square-foot restaurant is scheduled to open its doors to the public on Monday, Oct. 5, 2026.

This expansion comes as Newk’s Eatery—a Jackson, Mississippi-based fast-casual powerhouse—reaches a pivotal juncture in its corporate history. With nearly 100 locations across 12 states and a recent high-profile ranking on the Fast Casual Top 100 Movers & Shakers list, the brand is leveraging its unique "scratch-made" culinary philosophy to capture market share in the competitive Midwestern dining landscape.

Main Facts: Strengthening the Footprint in the Sunflower State

The new Ridge Road location, known to locals as the 37th & Ridge Road corridor, represents more than just another storefront; it is a testament to the brand’s successful "open-kitchen" concept. The facility is designed to showcase Newk’s signature commitment to fresh ingredients, where salads are tossed, pizzas are hearth-baked, and sandwiches are assembled in full view of the guest.

Key Details of the Launch:

• Location: 3905 N. Ridge Road, Suite 210, Wichita, KS.
• Grand Opening Date: Monday, Oct. 5, 2026.
• Footprint: 3,600 square feet of modern dining space.
• Franchise Leadership: Managed by Melody Matulewic, Doug Matulewic, Scott Hatchett, and Jenny Hatchett.
• Philanthropic Tie-in: Partnership with the Wichita Cancer Foundation.

The opening is being treated as a major community event, featuring a tiered promotional schedule designed to drive long-term loyalty through the Newk’s Rewards program. On opening day, the restaurant will host a "50 Free Drink" and "50 Free Cake" giveaway. The following weeks will include high-stakes contests, such as the chance to win "Free Newk’s for a Year" and "Free Drinks for a Year," alongside family-centric promotions like 99-cent kids’ meals.

Chronology: From Automotive Excellence to Culinary Success

The journey toward this second Wichita location is an unconventional narrative of entrepreneurial pivot and brand discovery. The franchise group, led by Scott Hatchett and Melody Matulewic, did not originate in the food service industry. Instead, their background lies in the high-stakes world of automotive retail.

Scott Hatchett is a prominent figure in the Wichita business community, owning several successful auto dealerships including Buick, GMC, Hyundai, and Genesis franchises. Melody Matulewic serves as the Marketing and Development Director for these enterprises. Their transition into the restaurant sector began not with a business prospectus, but with a meal.

The Bentonville Catalyst

The partners first encountered Newk’s Eatery during a visit to Bentonville, Arkansas. Despite having no prior restaurant experience, they were immediately struck by the brand’s operational efficiency and the quality of the "scratch-made" menu. They identified a gap in the Wichita market for a fast-casual concept that balanced speed with high-end culinary standards—specifically one that eschewed fryers and microwaves in favor of traditional cooking methods.

Rapid Development Timeline

• December 2025: The franchise group opened their first Newk’s Eatery on Wichita’s east side. The location was met with immediate consumer enthusiasm, validating the partners’ belief in the brand’s local appeal.
• January – August 2026: Following the success of the first site, the group moved quickly to secure a prime location on the west side, navigating the complexities of site selection and construction in the 37th & Ridge Road area.
• October 2026: Just ten months after their debut in the industry, the group is launching their second unit, marking one of the fastest "first-to-second" unit expansions in the Newk’s system.

Supporting Data: The Newk’s Eatery Model and Market Positioning

The success of Newk’s in Wichita is supported by broader industry trends and the brand’s specific operational differentiators. In 2026, the fast-casual segment has seen a shift toward "clean label" dining and transparency. Newk’s has positioned itself at the forefront of this movement.

Operational Differentiators

Newk’s differentiates itself from standard fast-food and many fast-casual competitors through several key pillars:

1. The "No Fryer" Policy: Every item on the menu is prepared without the use of deep fryers or microwaves. This commitment to traditional preparation methods appeals to health-conscious consumers and food enthusiasts alike.
2. Scratch-Made Ingredients: From house-made dressings to hand-chopped vegetables and signature croutons, the brand emphasizes labor-intensive preparation to ensure flavor profiles that are difficult to replicate in a mass-market setting.
3. Digital Integration: The 2026 expansion heavily leverages the Newk’s Rewards app. Throughout the month of October, the Wichita locations are offering a free pepperoni pizza to any guest who signs up for the rewards program—a data-driven strategy to build a robust customer database from day one.

Recognition and Ranking

The brand’s growth is reflected in its industry standing. Newk’s was recently ranked No. 25 on the Fast Casual Top 100 Movers & Shakers list. This ranking considers not just unit growth, but also innovation, menu development, and brand resilience. For a brand with nearly 100 locations, maintaining a top-25 spot indicates a high level of operational consistency across its 12-state footprint.

Philanthropy: Newk’s Cares and the Wichita Cancer Foundation

A cornerstone of the Newk’s brand identity is its philanthropic arm, "Newk’s Cares." Originally established to support ovarian cancer research and awareness (inspired by the late Lori Newcomb, wife of co-founder Chris Newcomb), the initiative has evolved into a broad platform for community support.

For the Wichita expansion, the franchisees have localized this mission by partnering with the Wichita Cancer Foundation.

• Fundraising Events: An invitation-only "Friends & Family Night" held on Oct. 3 and Oct. 5 will serve as a primary fundraising vehicle.
• Matching Grant: Newk’s Cares has pledged to match all donations collected during the opening week up to $2,000.
• Lori’s Light: The initiative, titled Newk’s Cares x Lori’s Light, ensures that the grand opening serves a purpose beyond commercial success, fostering a deep-rooted connection with the local community.

Official Responses: Leadership Perspectives on Growth

The leadership at both the franchise and corporate levels views the Wichita expansion as a blueprint for future growth in secondary markets.

Melody Matulewic, Franchisee:
"We’ve had a great response to our first Wichita location, and we’re excited to bring Newk’s to the west side of town. When we got into this business, we knew we wanted to open multiple restaurants in Wichita, so it’s exciting to see those plans moving forward. We’ve learned a lot from running our car dealerships, and the same principles apply here. It comes down to having the right people, following the right processes and running a profitable business."

Chris Elliott, CEO of FSC Franchise Co. (Parent company of Newk’s):
"Wichita has been a great example of the kind of momentum we’re seeing across the Newk’s system. Melody and Scott have brought a strong operator mindset to the brand, and their decision to open a second location so quickly speaks to the opportunity they see in Wichita and their confidence in the Newk’s model. As we reach 100 locations, we’re excited to continue building on that momentum and bringing Newk’s to more communities through experienced franchise partners who share our commitment to quality, hospitality and long-term growth."

Implications: The Future of Fast-Casual in Kansas and Beyond

The opening of the second Wichita location has several implications for the local economy and the broader restaurant industry.

1. Market Saturation and Competitiveness

Wichita’s west side is a hub of retail and residential growth. By securing a footprint at 37th & Ridge, Newk’s is positioning itself against established competitors in the soup-and-salad space. However, its diverse menu—which includes artisan pizzas and toasted sandwiches—allows it to compete across multiple dayparts (lunch and dinner) more effectively than specialized competitors.

2. The "Operator Mindset" Trend

The success of Matulewic and Hatchett highlights a growing trend in franchising: the entry of sophisticated, multi-unit operators from other industries into the food sector. Their ability to apply automotive-grade systems and marketing strategies to a restaurant environment suggests that the "mom-and-pop" franchise model is increasingly giving way to professionally managed, multi-concept portfolios.

3. Kansas as a Growth Engine

With only two locations currently in Kansas, the state represents a significant "white space" for Newk’s Eatery. The success of the Wichita cluster will likely serve as a proof-of-concept for further expansion into markets like Topeka, Lawrence, and the Kansas City suburbs.

4. Reaching the 100-Unit Milestone

As Newk’s Eatery approaches the 100-location mark, it enters a new tier of the restaurant industry. This scale allows for better supply chain leverage, increased national brand awareness, and more significant investments in digital technology and menu R&D.

Conclusion

The opening of Newk’s Eatery on North Ridge Road is more than a local restaurant launch; it is a strategic indicator of the brand’s health in 2026. By combining a "scratch-made" culinary approach with the disciplined operational expertise of seasoned franchisees, Newk’s is successfully navigating the transition from a regional favorite to a national contender. For the residents of West Wichita, the new location offers a fresh dining alternative; for the brand, it offers a springboard for continued expansion across the American Heartland.