CULLMAN, Ala. – Cullman’s newest restaurant, Newk’s Eatery, officially opened for business Monday. It’s open Sunday-Thursday from 10:30 a.m.-9 p.m. and Friday-Saturday from 10:30 a.m.-10 p.m. at 410 Second Ave. NW, known by many locals as “the old Dairy Queen” location on U.S. Highway 31.
The Tribune sat down with franchisee owner Britt Smallwood Monday afternoon to talk about how Newk’s came to be in Cullman.
“They contacted me about it,” said Smallwood. “I’m also the Zaxby’s franchisee here in Cullman and I’ve talked to Newk’s before about possibly doing a Newk’s somewhere else, not in Cullman, but then about two years ago, they called me and asked if I would be interested in doing a Newk’s in Cullman and I said ‘Absolutely!’ That’s how we got here today.”
As to why Smallwood chose the old Dairy Queen property, he said, “We thought with it being right in the middle of the city, it was a really a good opportunity, and that’s kind of why we did it here.”
Smallwood is excited for the future of the business.
“We’re just excited to be here in Cullman! We know a lot of people travel to Birmingham and Huntsville to go to Newk’s, and now they don’t have to anymore! We’re also excited to be the second Newk’s ever with a drive-thru and it’s something that’s going to be unique to Cullman,” he smiled.
What does Newk’s have to offer? What makes it stand out?
Shared Smallwood, “We have sandwiches, salads, soups and pizzas, the combination of all of them gives you some different choices. We also have our catering; it’s very in-depth and unique. Something we can do is high-volume catering.”
What about a drive-thru?
“We will be the second Newk’s ever to have a drive-thru. That’ll be different for Newk’s. We’re not operational on the drive-thru yet, but we’re hoping in two to three weeks it’ll be a full go on the drive-thru,” he said. “It’ll be a challenge because our food is made to order and it takes a bit. It’s not going to be like your McDonald’s drive-thru, it’s going to be slower, people are going to have to be accustomed to that because it is what it is. Now, we are going to strive to be the best!”
Newk’s Cares
Newk’s Cares is an initiative that was launched by Lori Newcomb, co-founder of Newk’s Cares and wife of Newk’s Eatery Co-Founder and CEO Chris Newcomb, in 2014. Lori Newcomb was diagnosed with stage IIIC ovarian cancer in February 2013 and sadly lost her physical battle Feb. 28, 2019. After Newk’s Cares was established, within five years the Newcombs raised $1 million for Ovarian Cancer Research Alliance (OCRA), the largest global organization dedicated to advancing ovarian cancer research while supporting women and their families.
“Newk’s is very involved in ovarian cancer awareness,” said Smallwood. “They’re really pushing it and it’s great and cool to be a part of, to be able to help with something like that.”
The Newk’s family encourages sharing of positive memories and stories of Lori on social media with the hashtag #TealForLori, and it also encourages people to follow @NewksCares on Facebook to stay up-to-date on upcoming initiatives.
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