Game On

Louisiana-inspired game-day spot Walk-On’s Sports Bistreaux coming to Raleigh

We call this one a win (!). Raleigh just scored a new location of Baton Rouge-based Walk-On’s Sports Bistreaux, set to open in 2023. 

The City of Oaks outpost will mark the third Walk-On’s location in North Carolina (adding to Fayetteville and Wilmington), but the first for longtime friends and first-time franchisees Mark McFarland and Hunter Rougeou—who announced June 8 that the award-winning restaurant was taking a shot and bringing a taste of Louisiana to the Triangle.

And the duo isn’t stopping here. They say they hope to expand throughout the Atlantic coast. “Hunter, who is a Louisiana native, introduced me to Walk-On’s, and I fell in love with everything about the brand—from the delicious food and friendly service to its community involvement,” says McFarland. “I currently live in Virginia, so we felt this was a great opportunity to bring this amazing concept to the Raleigh area and possibly expand further north over time.”

Founded in 2003 by former walk-on LSU basketball player Brandon Landry (hence the name), Walk-On’s features a bayou-inspired menu with unique twists on game-day staples and NoLa mainstays like crawfish etouffee, duck and andouille gumbo, and po’boys—plus burgers, salads, tacos and more—all of which are made from scratch using fresh ingredients. Walk-On’s also serves up a selection of signature drinks, beer and wine, making for a more, ahem, spirited game-day experience. 

“We’re excited to welcome Mark and Hunter to the Walk-On’s family as franchisees,” says Walk-On’s Founder and CEO Brandon Landry. “The North Carolina market has been great for Walk-On’s, and we know it will only get better as more locals get a Taste of Louisiana. These guys are successful professionals and know how to take care of people, which is what our Walk-On’s purpose is all about!” 

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