NEW ORLEANS, LA -- (Marketwire) -- 02/26/13 -- VooDoo BBQ & Grill, a fast-growing chain of barbecue restaurants, has opened its first location on New Orleans' West Bank, a populous and high-growth area with great potential.

"I feel like VooDoo BBQ can fill a real void here on the West Bank," said owner and operator Steve Stumpf. "We're in a high-traffic area with access to residential and business guests, and the West Bank as a whole is a prime market for the unique flavor and fun of VooDoo BBQ. There's nothing else like it here."

Stumpf opened in Fountain Park Centre, a popular office and retail complex on busy Manhattan Boulevard in Harvey, one of a string of suburbs on the opposite side of the Mississippi River from New Orleans and the east Jefferson Parish suburbs of Metairie, Jefferson and Kenner. Nearly 350,000 people live on the West Bank, and Manhattan Boulevard is a major thoroughfare in the area, with access to nearby businesses and subdivisions.

"We're excited that Steve has opened our first West Bank location," said VooDoo BBQ & Grill CEO Tony Avila. "It's important for us to keep building in our home state. The West Bank is a market that's ready for our competition-style barbecue and fun fast-casual atmosphere."

If the opening was any indication, the Harvey restaurant will do well. The store was packed for much of the day, with a steady stream of guests lined up outside the building. To the first 50 people through the door, Stumpf issued vouchers good for free VooDoo food for a year, and hundreds gobbled up another deal -- a free sandwich and drink from 2 to 4 p.m. "We had a great turnout on our first day," Stumpf said. "We think it'll continue as people tell their friends and family and word spreads."

VooDoo opened its first location in New Orleans on Mardi Gras Day 2002 and has expanded to reach 57 planned locations in six states. VooDoo serves competition-style barbecue beef, pork and chicken with unique side dishes, plus salads and sandwiches, in a clean, colorful fast-casual environment. For more information, visit voodoobbq.com or voodoofranchise.com.

Add to Digg Bookmark with del.icio.us Add to Newsvine