Newk's Eatery, the fresh fast casual restaurant known for its culinary-driven menu and open kitchens, experienced continued growth in 2016, including six new area development agreements that will add more than 40 new restaurants to the brand's regional footprint.

The company's rapid expansion in 2016, with 16 new restaurant openings and three new market entries, has created 48 percent new store growth in two years. In December 2016 and January 2017 alone, the company signed three new development agreements with retail and restaurant franchise industry veterans CTM Hospitality, C&P Retail Investments and Eagle Dining LLC.    

CTM Hospitality is expanding Newk's presence in North Texas, covering Texarkana, Greenville and Rockwall, while C&P Retail Investments will further develop the state of Georgia in Albany, Warner-Robbins and Valdosta. Eagle Dining LLC has inked a deal to open four restaurants in the Fort Myers/Naples, Florida, DMA. Large area development agreements for Indianapolis and Northern Virginia rounded out the new market penetration for 2016.

"When we founded Newk's in 2004, we committed to a rate of growth that allowed us to maintain our high standards for food, service quality and thoughtful development," said Newk's CEO and co-founder Chris Newcomb. "The Newk's Eatery concept has been developed and refined to meet the needs of consumers and franchise operators alike, truly carving out a unique point of difference."