NEWK’S EATERY 1360 Main Chapel Way, Gambrills 443-302-2734 | newks.com
DINING TASTE
Newk’s Eatery By Tom Worgo Photography by Stephen Buchanan
F
or Tom Saia, a phone call from his wife Donna eight years ago turned out to be one of the most important in his life. His wife had visited a Newk’s Eatery in North Carolina on the recommendation of a friend.
“Donna called and said, ‘I just absolutely fell in love with the quality of the food, the variety, and ambience. It was just so comfortable, so family-oriented,’” Saia recalls. 150
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Once his wife came back to Maryland, the couple quickly got on a plane and flew right back to North Carolina. Saia fell in love with Newk’s just like she had. He also saw it as the opportunity he’d been seeking.
restaurants, including International House of Pancakes and Burger King, where he worked his way up to franchise consultant and vice president of operations. He also has co-owned a Burger King since 2003.
After extensive research and much time consulting with other Newk’s franchisees, the Saias opened their own franchise in Gambrills in 2013. “I felt the area needed a soup, salad, sandwich kind of lunch place,” Saia says. “It’s Panera Bread on steroids.”
But he’s having the most fun he’s ever had with food as a Newk’s owner. We recently sat down to talk to Tom about customer favorites, what’s different about the restaurant, and how he got involved with Newk’s Eatery.
The 59-year-old Tom was well prepared to become a franchisee. He spent 36 years at various chain
Why did you decide to open a Newk’s?
“I thought the market was right for the brand. People
