Waldo's Chicken & Beer has announced the opening date for its North Little Rock location.
The restaurant will begin serving Southern-fried and fire-roasted chicken, along with a selection of craft beer, on March 15. It's looking to hire 30-40 new employees for all positions.
Waldo's is opening at a newly-built space at 4221 Warden Road near McCain Mall, the former site of a Johnny Carino's restaurant. Waldos Central AR Real Estate LLC, led by Jim Keet, bought the property for $1.1 million. The restaurant seats 70 indoors and includes a 650-SF outdoor patio.
It will be the second Waldo's location owned by the Keet family. The family's JTJ Restaurants LLC opened a location in Tulsa in 2020 with partners Mark Pierce Jr., Mark Waldo, Dino Nithianandan and the restaurant group Fresh Hospitality.
Fresh Hospitality, based in Nashville, Tennessee, owns the Waldo's concept. The firm is also behind the Taziki’s Mediterranean Cafe brand and a number of other restaurant concepts.
Jim Keet told Arkansas Business that the North Little Rock Waldo's will be a prototype for future restaurants. He said up to 20 Waldo’s restaurants are planned for Arkansas and Oklahoma.
