Caz's Chowhouse forging franchise deal

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Plans are being made to take the Brady district restaurant nationwide.

The owners of Caz's Chowhouse are teaming up with Beautiful Brands International to sell the restaurant concept as franchises. CORY YOUNG / Tulsa World

By KYLE ARNOLD World Staff Writer
Published: 7/22/2009 2:28 AM
Last Modified: 7/22/2009 4:13 AM

After five years in business, the Caz's Chowhouse restaurant opening was becoming a distant memory for owners Jeff and Amy Castleberry.

But now they're putting together a plan to take their small, Brady district restaurant nationwide.

Last week the husband-and-wife team signed a deal with local franchiser and marketing company Beautiful Brands International to sell the concept to potential restaurant owners.

"We hadn't thought about a second location," Jeff said. "There was always the possibility of a second location at some time, but not soon."

Castleberry, who went to cooking school in Stillwater, also owns Caz's Pub across Brady Street from his restaurant, which occupies a former warehouse building.

He describes the menu at Caz's Chowhouse as "eclectic home-style cooking," offering everything from meatloaf to Cuban sandwiches and grilled salmon.

The Castleberrys and Beautiful Bands are piecing together plans to market and franchise Caz's Chowhouse as a casual dining concept.

David Rutkauskas, president and CEO of Tulsa-based Beautiful Brands, said he came upon the restaurant after a recommendation from one of his employees.

"I went down there and ate in the restaurant and was blown away," he said. "The food was incredible."

Beautiful Brands, which already owns Camille's Sidewalk Cafe and Freshberry, is working to market and franchise other restaurants such as the Crusty Croissant, Dixie Creme Donuts and Rex's Chicken.

Since

Caz's Chowhouse serves "comfort food," the restaurant should go over well even in a down economy, Rutkauskas said.

Rutkauskas said he envisions the franchised restaurants being slightly smaller than the typical casual-dining chain such as Chili's. He said he wouldn't be surprised to see a handful of franchise agreements for Caz's Chowhouse signed before the end of the year.

Neither party has immediate plans to open a second restaurant in the Tulsa area.

Caz’s Chowhouse

Opened: 004

Owners: Jeff and Amy castleberry

Location: 18 E. Brady St.

Kyle Arnold 581-8380
kyle.arnold@tulsaworld.com

By KYLE ARNOLD World Staff Writer

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