Famous Dave’s BBQ restaurant opened the first of its smaller footprint prototype restaurants in Minneapolis’ Uptown neighborhood at 800 W. Lake St. Dec. 20. The new restaurant is about 3,000 square feet, compared to the average 6,500- to 7,000-square-foot Famous Dave’s. The space also features a bar-centric environment and compact dining area.
The restaurant will also feature technological innovations such as tabletop ordering and digital kiosks in an effort to appeal to a younger demographic. The location will focus heavily on its off-premise delivery and catering business, which was previously a large aspect of the brand’s former Uptown location.
Famous Dave’s parent holding company, BBQ Holdings, Inc., plans to open five to 10 smaller-footprint restaurants by the end of 2020. The brand is also looking to implement a drive-thru. In addition to expanding the concept in the Minneapolis market, Famous Dave’s is also looking at opening in Atlanta, New York, New Jersey, the Carolinas, Illinois and Wisconsin.
