Cheddar’s Scratch Kitchen is a full-service casual dining restaurant chain built around made-from-scratch food, generous portions and everyday value. Founded in 1979 in Arlington, Texas, the concept joined Darden Restaurants in 2017 and has continued to expand its national footprint. Darden Restaurants is presently seeking experienced restaurant operators and investors interested in developing the Cheddar’s dining concept in Canada. Jorge Lizan at Lizan Retail Advisors has been retained to handle the search. “We are currently seeking partners with multi-unit restaurant operating experience and local market expertise, interested in expanding a premier casual dining concept,” said Lizan. Cheddar’s menu features homestyle favourites including hand-breaded chicken tenders, steaks, burgers, salads, seafood and signature sides, complemented by its popular homemade queso and honey butter croissants. The brand emphasizes a warm, welcoming atmosphere designed for families and groups, while maintaining an accessible price point. With about five units added over the past year, the most recent in Gainsville in Florida and in Searcy in Arkansas, the chain presently counts over 180 restaurants in about 28 states. One of Darden’s key growth concepts, the chain continues to seek opportunities to bring its value-oriented, scratch-made dining experience to new markets. Cheddar’s targets locations in the 7900 square foot range on high traffic arteries and in markets of at least 150,000 people.
Lizan Retail Advisors, 1177 Avenue of the Americas, 5th Floor, New York, New York 10036 (212/991-8576 jorge@lizanretail.com)
Darden Restaurants, 1000 Darden Center Dr., Orlando, Florida 32837 (407/245-4000 www.cheddars.com)