Culbert Praises the Restaurant Franchise’s Growth Initiatives as it Prepares for Expansion
Bar Louie, a popular restaurant franchise, has named Steve Culbert vice president of franchise sales and administration. In this role, he will oversee Bar Louie’s corporate locations in Florida, spearhead franchise development, and manage franchisee relations and sales. He brings more than three decades of experience to the role and joins Bar Louie alongside Brian DeHart, the brand’s new chief operating officer.
Having been a guest and fan of Bar Louie for years, Culbert has firsthand knowledge of the bar and restaurant franchise. The positive experience of working with CEO Brian Wright was another selling point for joining the leadership team, Culbert said.
“I am excited about the prospect of expanding Bar Louie into new regions and diverse venues. We believe that Bar Louie is currently underrepresented in many parts of the country, and I am enthusiastic about contributing to the development of a strong pipeline to further establish Bar Louie as a significant player in the casual dining industry,” Culbert said.
Poised for Growth
Bar Louie is preparing for accelerated growth by reducing its franchise fee by 50% through June 2024. “The reduction in franchise fees presents an opportunity to attract partners who may not have previously considered Bar Louie as a viable business venture. Once we capture their interest and they grasp the exceptional nature of our brand, my role becomes significantly more straightforward!”
The bar and restaurant brand also signed a five-unit agreement with a prominent Midwest-based hotel group and submitted requests for proposals for non-traditional locations in airports.
Culbert’s experience includes working with restaurant brands such as Carrabba’s Italian Grill, Bennigan’s, Einstein Bros. Bagels and Tijuana Flats. His passion for franchising is rooted in relationship-building opportunities with fellow entrepreneurs. “Witnessing our franchise partners’ success, which often stems from their commitment to Bar Louie, is incredibly rewarding.”
About Bar Louie
Founded in 1990 in downtown Chicago, the Texas-based Bar Louie franchise markets itself as the original gastrobar known for its lively atmosphere, food and drinks. The brand has expanded to 67 locations across the country and serves handcrafted martinis and cocktails and a menu of appetizers, burgers and sandwiches.
