The number of McDonald’s located within America’s largest retail chain has steadily declined over the past decade, but, at one point, there used to be 1,000 of these restaurants located within Walmart locations across the country. During the heyday of this great partnership, an estimated one in three Walmart stores contained a McDonald’s.
However, in 2010 the concept began to fail. From 2012 to 2017, the number of McDonald’s inside Walmart stores decreased from 875 to 630, Grocery dive reports.
With all this open space, other fast food and restaurant chains have jumped at the opportunity to move. This year has seen its fair share of grand openings within Walmart; Here are 12 restaurants that you can now get when you enter the doors of the blue building.
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In April, Nathan’s Famous fast food chain, known for its signature hot dogs and fries, announced that it would add 100 new Walmart store locations in 2021. This expansion included a partnership with Ghost Kitchen Brands, a fast food service. . Since Ghost Kitchen Brands is based in the US’s northern neighbor, this deal was initially tested with Walmart Canada, but was introduced at a Walmart in Rochester, New York, in September.
“Our business is built on delivering innovative offerings that give our customers the experience they are looking for,” said Darryl Spinks, senior director of retail services for Walmart US, in a statement according to Supermarket news. “We are excited to expand our relationship with Ghost Kitchens to continue bringing new and exciting food options to customers, while also providing the convenience our customers need.”
According to a Chain store age Article, Nathan plans to grow to 150 locations by next year. Most of these will be inside Walmart stores with some locations offering seating, but all locations will be equipped with takeout and delivery services.
In that same report, James Walker, Senior Vice President of Nathan’s Famous Restaurants, said, “We are excited to continue our expansion into the US and Canada, and this partnership with Ghost Kitchen Brands increases our presence even further.”
Saladworks was one of the first chains introduced to Walmart through the Ghost Kitchens deal and its first Walmart location is in Rochester, NY The salad chain began opening locations in non-traditional places like Walmart in 2019. Progressive shopkeeper reports.
Eric Lavinder, director of development at WOWorks, Saladworks’ parent company, said the partnership allows “guests [to] they continue to receive the same hospitality and healthy experience that they have at our independent restaurants, but with even more accessibility and convenience at Walmart locations. “
Saladworks has more than 150 locations throughout the United States, and 40 opened last year alone.
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Frutta Bowls has the same parent company as Saladworks, WOWWorks. Frutta Bowls is also located at the Rochester Walmart, but it has more than 30 locations in the US Walmart shoppers can now enjoy menu items like smoothies, acai bowls, and protein bites after their shopping.
While Saladworks is no stranger to non-traditional venues, the Walmart deal marks a first for Frutta Bowls. “We are delighted to make another debut for Saladworks within a major retailer, and the first for Frutta Bowls,” Lavinder said at the same Progressive shopkeeper report. “These partnerships have proven to be incredible opportunities for WOWorks, and we look forward to the growth that will come from this opening.”
Last year, the sit-down sushi restaurant opened its first Walmart location in Rogers, Arkansas. Since then, Hissho Sushi & Wine Bar has been opening locations within other locations, such as in August when a Walmart in Plano, Texas welcomed Hissho. as “A full service restaurant [offering] sushi made to order, as well as a selection of wines, ” Community impact newspaper reports.
“The Japanese and Asian inspired menu is extensive and offers nigiri, sashimi, maki rolls, specialty rolls, appetizers, dim sum, bento and desserts. Their beverage menu includes a selection of beer and wine, priced between $ 5 and $ 6 “, according to Dallas Observer.
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In April The Wall Street Journal reported that Domino’s is already in 30 Walmart stores across the country. That same report explained that the pizza company approached the mega-chain because Domino’s has an interest in expanding its reach to loyal Walmart customers in hard-to-reach areas in all 50 states.
April was a busy month within Walmart locations as the retail chain piloted La Madeleine French Bakery & Cafe in 10 stores across Texas. The interior of the Walmart cafe will serve as express locations for the national chain.
“We are very excited about Walmart’s curated food service experience for customers,” La Madeleine CEO Lionel Ladouceur said in a statement. “We hope it will be even more convenient for the DFW community to enjoy the La Madeleine experience, while also introducing our French comfort food to Walmart shoppers seeking more diverse dining options.”
The bakery chain continues to open express locations at Walmart and Ladouceur explained to Chronicle of the Denton record that the decision to expand La Madeline through Walmart locations will be evaluated next year.
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One of the largest chains to enter Walmart stores is Taco Bell. “We are definitely looking to bring in new and exciting brands,” said Avani Dudhia, Walmart’s corporate spokesperson at a Supermarket News Report.
While Taco Bell is still testing its Walmart locations, there has been no word on an official launch date for the brands to coexist.
Wow Bao already has 200 locations in the United States, but now this fast-casual chain is bringing pot stickers, bao buns, and dumplings to Walmart stores. All of these locations will offer take-out and delivery services, and some will have indoor dining.
“We are delighted to accelerate our expansion into the US and Canada with this important partnership and the innovators at Ghost Kitchen Brands,” said Geoff Alexander, President and CEO of Wow Bao, according to QSR.
Since 2019, the chain has grown from six to 300 locations. Wow Bao is on track to open 1,000 locations by the end of 2021 through the Ghost Kitchen deal, Diving in restaurant reports.
This Texas brand has been operating one location in Irving for the past five years and plans to add seven locations within Walmart stores.
The Mediterranean chain was founded in 2017. “We are excited that more people are actively seeking authentic and ethnic dishes as part of their regular diet,” said Sawsan Abublan, one of the co-founders, in a statement. “Because the fresh items on our menu are made in-house and appeal to a wide variety of diverse palates and dietary preferences, we are poised for rapid growth and expansion in the years to come.”
Eat this, not that! previously reported, “In fact, there are more moves on the horizon for Shawarma Press. As the growing chain adds more locations in Texas next year, it will also expand to Florida and Oklahoma. Arlington, Georgetown, Plano and San Antonio will be added. as we speak, with additional locations in Irving, Frisco and Mansfield opening next year. Some of these restaurants will be inside Walmart stores. “
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Although McDonald’s is exiting Walmart, Wendy’s is on the way, with a location already open in Heath, Ohio. Inside Walmart, shoppers can now find a new version of the beloved Wendy’s called the Wendy’s Hamburger Stand.
“The first and only Wendy’s hamburger stand of its kind is all about the life of ‘BYO,'” the fast food chain previously said. Eat this, not that!, “Where we welcome customers to build everything from their preferred nugget size and flavor, to the hamburger of their dreams from start to finish.”
This type of Wendy’s features a unique but limited menu that includes a strawberry ice cream or an ice cream topped with Lucky Charms. Or, to satisfy a spicy craving, Wendy’s Hamburger Stand also offers Jalapeño Popper Chicken Nuggets.
Later this year, another Walmart in Ohio is expected to open another version of Wendy’s called Wendy’s Snack Shop, which will simplify the menu even further by eliminating salads and baked potatoes.
Charleys has 600 locations in 47 states and 16 countries. This great brand known for its gourmet cheesesteaks, chicken wings and fries opened a Walmart location in Columbus, Ohio, adding more locations this year. in a Fast casual report, “The design of the restaurant, at 3900 Morse Rd., focuses not only on food, but also fun experiences for the family, including arcade games and whimsical design elements, according to a company press release.” .
The brand aims to open 10 more restaurants within Walmart next year.
This Croatia-based chain is making its US debut inside a Walmart in Fort Worth, Texas. The brand was founded in 2009 and has more than 60 locations in 20 countries. Outside of the United States, the brand is known as “Surf ‘N’ Fries,” but it is rebranding for its Texas launch to specify that the restaurant sells chicken rather than seafood. Culture Dallas Map He says. In addition to fried chicken, the menu also includes mozzarella sticks, breakfast, and desserts.
In that same report, the article explains: “A notable point of distinction is the use of deep fryers, which creates the desirable texture of fried foods but without oil.”
According to Carrie Sams, president of the US operation, the Fort Worth location is the first of 12 Texas-based locations that will be at Walmarts. “The Garland store opening will be just the beginning of a long-term plan to open more than 350 locations in Walmarts over the next five years,” says Sams.
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