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PNC Bank opens ‘Solution Center’ in Gilbert

GSN NEWS STAFF

Alongtime Pennsylvania bank has opened its second Arizona location in Gilbert.

PNC Bank’s new Solution Center at 2050 East Williams Field Road in San Tan Village “aims to evolve a typical bank experience” and offer interactions between customers and staff “in new and innovative ways,” according to a release.

One of more than 30 Solution Centers it has opened in the last few years, the Gilbert one will offer screen-mirroring capabilities from customers’ phones or tablets projected to large screens “for hands-on demonstrations of PNC apps or a guided digital experience.” It also will offer “workstations of the future that enable customers to interact with staff on tablets and mobile devices.

The bank also has conversational spaces with sofas, high-top kitchen tables and rounded tables to encourage “sideby-side conversations in a relaxed and comfortable setting,” the bank said. ATMs are equipped with video to connect customers with a remote bank seven days a week. The self-service technology allows customers to bank at convenient while having access to a live banker for more complex transactions.. PNC recently announced that next month it will raise its minimum pay rate from$15to$18.

The bank also launched “Project 257: Accelerating Women’s Financial Equality,” an initiative designed to “help close the 257-year economic gender gap and expand on PNC’s decades-long track record of supporting female financial decision makers.”

The World Economic Forum says it will take another 257 years for women to catch up to men from an economic perspective. “I don’t know anyone who thinks this is an acceptable timeline,” said Beth Marcello, director of PNC Women’s Business Development. “

The bank has partnered with SheEO, a global nonprofit that provides interest-free loans to businesses owned and led by individuals who identify as women or nonbinary and crowd-funds capital. PNC Bank’s three-year, $1.3 million commitment is the largest that SheEO has received from a U.S. company.

PNC’s second brick-and-mortar location is in San Tan Village in Gilbert. (Special to GSN)

Celebrated Louisiana sports bar chain coming

GSN NEWS STAFF

Two owners made the Louisiana State University’s basketball team as walk-ons and another owner is a recently retired NFL quarterback with a Super Bowl ring.

With a pedigree like that – and a celebrated menu – Walk-On’s Bistreaux & Bar has opened more than 50 locations in 15 states. Now, it’s picked Gilbert for its first foray into Arizona, aiming to open in the Gilbert Gateway Towne Center at 4928 S. Power Road in January.

Founded by LSU walk-ons Brandon Landry and Jack Warner, Walk-On’s also counts for New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees.

When the 7,500-square-foot restaurant opens, it promises a “game day” atmosphere, from-scratch Louisiana cuisine, 48 beers on tap and 75 TVs – and Krispy Kreme bread pudding.

Walk-On’s also has started hiring over 200 people at walk-ons.com/careers.

The menu has won raves in other cities for its “unique twists on game-day staples and upscale takes on Louisiana mainstays,” such as crawfish etouffee and duck/andouille gumbo.

A high school basketball player at Catholic High in Baton Rouge, Landry didn’t let the fact he wasn’t recruited deter him from muscling his way onto the LSU basketball team, where he played from 1997-200.

He and Walker, another walk-on, came up with the idea for the restaurant traveling with the basketball team. Game trips allowed them to visit sports bars and restaurants around the country and they felt like Baton Rouge needed a concept similar to ones they sampled.

“Their idea began to take shape 35,000 feet above the earth as they sketched their vision for a floor plan on the back of a napkin while the team flew home from a road game at the University of Tennessee,” according to the restaurant’s website. In 2012, nine years after opening their first Walk-Ons, Brees joined as a co-owner as they began franchising their concept. Among the franchise owners is Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott.

The owners boast that Walk Ons is “chef driven,” pointing to numerous awards, including National Restaurant News’ Menu Masters Award.

According to a release, Walk-On’s has 150 locations in development.

During the pandemic, it suspended its royalty payments and urged franchise owners to “pour those funds into homegrown efforts and support their team members.” Walk-On’s also pledged$100,000to the Barstool Fund to help small businesses and other restaurants in their markets.

Brandon Landry was a walk-on on the Louisiana State University basketball team in the late 90s and he named his successful restaurant chain in honor of that experience.

(Special to GSN)