Answer Woman: Steak 'n Shake closed in Weaverville? What's coming next?
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Question: I recently noticed new construction work being completed at the former Steak 'n Shake restaurant located in Weaverville, including the removal of the building signage. What business will be occupying that location and when will they likely open?
Answer: Attention shoppers of the Northridge Commons shopping center ― two new dining options are coming your way.
Steak ‘n Shake used to serve a menu of old-fashioned steakburgers and homemade milkshakes at 11 Bett Stroud Blvd. until the location closed in the spring of 2022.
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The national chain closed 506 restaurants in 2022, amid financial challenges, according to industry publication Restaurant Business. In 2021, the corporation closed 536 locations.
On Oct. 20, renovations were ongoing at Steak ‘n Shake’s former Weaverville home to make way for a Taco Bell.
An opening date was not confirmed at the time of publication. However, signs are posted on the property inviting candidates to apply for jobs, including shift manager for a wage of up to $18 per hour and team members for a wage of up to $16 per hour.
On Indeed, a job listing for the franchise advertised a position for a general manager with an annual salary ranging from $55,000-$65,000.
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According to the Taco Bell website, this will be the sole Taco Bell to operate in Weaverville.
Across the main drive of the Northridge Commons shopping center, another construction project is underway.
A new building was constructed with the address 23 Northridge Commons Parkway, in the parking lot of Walmart, for the regional chain restaurant, Hwy 55.
This may be good news for fans of Steak ‘n Shake, as Hwy 55 specializes in burgers, shakes and fries and the brand goes for a retro diner-style vibe.
Hwy 55 Burgers Shakes & Fries, a North Carolina-founded business founded in 1991 that rebranded from its original name Andy’s Burgers, Shakes & Fries, has more than 130 open-grill diners across the Southeast, according to the company’s website.
Currently, the nearest locations are in Burnsville and Lenoir, so the Weaverville location will be a new experience for many.
Ray Johnson, field superintendent for IB Builders, said he projects his team will complete construction of the nearly 2,700-square-foot property by mid- to late November.
Hwy 55 did not confirm the opening date of the restaurant by the time of publication.
The restaurant will have a two-lane drive-thru, a dining room and patio seating, Johnson said. The back of the house has been designed to be spacious as a two-line kitchen for food prep, plus two walk-in coolers.
“It’s a pretty big storage. It’s bigger than average,” said Johnson, who has worked on many Hwy55 projects and is a regular customer.
He said he expects the restaurant will have a lot of customer traffic due to its proximity to Walmart. The dining room will have the ordering counter and center tables and booths. The patio tables will be shaded by umbrellas, he said.
The double drive-thru will aid in expediting service. And, according to Johnson, the restaurant may have a couple of hi-tech workers in the dining room.
Human staff greet customers, take orders and provide drinks and two robot servers bring guests their food.
“The kids love it,” Johnson said.
Hwy 55’s menu features a variety of “fresh, never frozen and hand-patted” burgers that range from a classic Americana to the Carolina Classic, which has toppings including chili and slaw. The menu continues with made-to-order salads, frozen custard, and a selection of kids' meals served in a container shaped like a classic car.
One of Johnson’s favorite items is a cheesesteak, which is offered in different options including traditional sliced steak and chicken.
“It’s really good food, really good service, very family-oriented,” Johnson said. “It’s not so much a fast food restaurant. It’s more of a customer setting. When people come, they stay for a while and hang out and order a couple of this and that. I always see two or three generations ―mom, grandkids, grandparents ― everybody comes out and chill. It’s a good little vibe.”
Follow the Citizen Times for updates on the opening of Hwy 55 in Weaverville.
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Hwy 55 Burgers Shakes & Fries
Where: 23 Northridge Commons, Weaverville.
Opening: To be announced.
Info: For more, visit hwy55.com.
Tiana Kennell is the food and dining reporter for the Asheville Citizen Times, part of the USA Today Network. Email her at tkennell@citizentimes.com or follow her on Instagram @PrincessOfPage. Please support this type of journalism with a subscription to the Citizen Times.
This article originally appeared on Asheville Citizen Times: Hwy 55 coming to Weaverville? What is replacing Steak 'n Shake?
