Grand opening planned for new Jack's restaurant in Alberta
A new restaurant is bringing more, more, more dining options to Alberta-area residents.
Jack’s Family Restaurants, the Birmingham-based fast-food chain that offers burgers, shakes and more is planning a grand opening for its latest Tuscaloosa location on March 9.
Located at 2424 University Blvd. E. across from Church’s Chicken, the company is planning a day-long celebration giveaways for the first 50 guests and festivities with the Tuscaloosa City Council and the University of Alabama’s “Big Al” mascot.
“Right now, were in the middle of squaring away all the details for the opening day celebration,” said Billie Jo Waara, chief marketing officer for Jack’s Family Restaurants.
Its opening will come about five months following a groundbreaking ceremony that was held at the site in October. The new eatery was built with what Waara said was the company’s “Southern Charm” design.
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With seating for 68 diners, the 3,275-square-foot structure includes a window into the kitchen, so customers can see the handmade biscuits made daily, rocking chairs out front and a fireplace inside.
“It’s really, a nice, updated interior for a gathering place for the community,” Waara said. “We’re excited to be a part of the community and can’t wait to celebrate with everyone there.”
Already celebrating is Council President Kip Tyner, who has represented Alberta as part of District 5 since 1997.
Tyner has devoted hours of effort toward the recruitment of private residential and commercial investment since taking office, but even more so since Alberta was devastated by the deadly and destructive April 2011 tornado that left much of District 5 in rubble.
“I’m beyond excited to welcome the Cadillac of fast-food restaurants to Alberta,” Tyner said. “Being an Alabama company, Jack’s holds special memories for so many of us who as kids used to sing the Jack’s jingle.”
Waara said the company was in the process of hiring up to 50 full- and part-time workers. Those interested were urged to visit eatatjacks.com and follow the "Careers" tab to begin the application process.
She also said the new Jack’s in Alberta is part of the company’s efforts to grow its presence in the four Southeastern states where it operates and bring the restaurant “to the people.”
“We continue to grow in our footprint where guests want us to grow,” Waara said.
And that effort has been seen locally.
When open, the latest store will mark the seventh Jack’s to open in the Tuscaloosa-area market since 2016 and its eighth overall.
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But the company’s resurgence efforts began here in earnest a year before, when what was then Tuscaloosa’s lone Jack’s at 1200 Hackberry Lane was remodeled and reopened with its own “re-grand opening” ceremony.
Two new Jack’s locations soon followed on U.S. Highway 43 near Clear Creek Colony in Northport in 2016 and at 8721 Alabama Highway 69 S. in 2017.
Then, three more locations followed – at 5821 McFarland Blvd. in Northport, at 15865 Alabama Highway 216 in Brookwood and on Skyland Boulevard across from the Pilot Travel Center in Tuscaloosa – in 2019.
The first Jack's restaurant opened in 1960 in Homewood. The chain now operates almost 200 restaurants in Alabama, Mississippi, Tennessee and Georgia.
Reach Jason Morton at jason.morton@tuscaloosanews.com.
This article originally appeared on The Tuscaloosa News: New Jack's location in Alberta planning to open in March
