By the end of January, Emporia’s newest restaurant will open its doors to become the only 24-hour restaurant in town.
Renovation work continues at Huddle House at the Flying J Truckstop, 4215 West Highway 50, and the all-night restaurant chain has steadily been hiring staff over the past two weeks.
Similar to the Waffle House restaurant chain, Huddle House stores are open 24 hours a day and serves breakfast, lunch and dinner. Anything from the menu can be ordered at any time.
It will be the first 24-hour restaurant in Emporia since Country Market closed. In 2010, the Denny’s chain announced it would open a restaurant at the Flying J as part of the changes planned as a result of a merger between the company and Pilot Travel Centers LLC of Knoxville, Tenn. Denny’s later pulled out of the agreement.
Huddle House announced its intention to open in Emporia last year.
“We feel it will be a good fit for the community,” said Mark Whittle, chief development officer for the company when the announcement was made. “There should be good traffic in the location with the highways, and with Emporia being a college town.”
The Huddle House renovation has been continuing since the company announced its intention to open in Emporia, and the work is almost complete.
“It’s going great so far,” said Chris Galuskin, national director of operation services. “The construction is almost finalized, and we’ve got employees training on-site as we speak.”
Lately the company has been hiring new staff members on an almost daily basis and will continue until the restaurant opens.
“We’re still a little shorter on employees than we want to be, but it seems like we’re hiring every day and getting staffed up,” Galuskin said. “We have enough to open the restaurant. We’re confident that we’re going to be just fine, and we’re really pleased with the quality of the folks we have as well.”
The Atlanta-based company has been in operation since 1964, and operates restaurants in 19 states. The first Huddle House in Kansas opened in Newton early in 2011. The renovation taking place at the Emporia location will include a new design for the brand, Galuskin said.
“This is a new look,” he said. “This is the new and improved look, and it’s quite unique to the brand itself.”
Included in the renovation has been the installation of new furniture, new decor, repainting and adding woodwork and installing new equipment in the kitchen.
“There’s been quite a lot of stuff that’s been going on,” Galuskin said. “We’ve gone to a great deal of expense to ensure that the quality is right.”
Those interested in applying for employment can send their resumes to jobs@huddlehouse.com
booker5m (anonymous) says...
Best of luck! Just hope it doesnt hurt other family owned businesses in town
January 19, 2012 at 3:43 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Steve_Corbin (anonymous) says...
Can't wait.
Emporia needs a 24 hour cafe.
It will hurt othersfor a while, but competition from them could also be a good thing for we the consumer
January 20, 2012 at 6:18 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
jafo (anonymous) says...
I think the impact will be minimal to what we already have. Think about it, If you want to go out for breakfast in Emporia, it's either a fast food joint or Commercial Street Diner - Amanda's does have awesome cinnimon rolls though. Anyway, who here has been out to Village Inn lately? Not me...that place is nasty and it smells JMO. I think I'll stick to downtown vs. driving out there.
Since it will be open 24 / 7, I sure hope the drinkers can handle the round-a-bout at 2 AM. EPD might hide behind that tourist trap, oh, I mean rock and set up a speed trap. In the end, it's always good to have new business in town.
January 20, 2012 at 7:59 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
railroadhorn (anonymous) says...
Don't forget the Home Cafe in the old S&S location...good breakfasts too but I definitely like a 24-hour option too!
January 20, 2012 at 8:52 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
tourguide (anonymous) says...
I tried the Home Cafe last week with a buddy passin thru. At the front table were 7guys drinking coffee. mid room was a couple of drivers eating & back of room was some guy talking to him self. $8.00 for a small brkfast Burrito was a bit high. GOOD SERVICE, Good taste. Just too many free coffee drinkers blockin the front door. Sorry, back to BETO... Down town "E" is great but you can't park a semi...
January 20, 2012 at 8:18 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
booker5m (anonymous) says...
I was in there one day this week with wife and one of the grandkids and the front table also full of coffee drinkers. Think it was a bunch from Tyson? I had eggs.bacon,hashbrowns (wanted grits but didnt have) all this for $5.99 felt it a good price and food was good. Hope they hang around!
Tourguide are you going to be at the courthouse Sat?
January 20, 2012 at 9:09 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
tourguide (anonymous) says...
Booker, Sorry I didn't check this site last night. I got busy. Yes I was there. Up close to front in black. As for the cafe subject,, Yes the food was GOOD. The special was not that special. And that coffee crowd? Thats why we don;t go to McDs downtown in the morn. The place is packed which I guess is good? but they stay for hours drinking the same cup not emptying any seating for another group to move in. With limited seating ANY restaurant should limit refills, but it;s not my cafe. GOOD LUCK to Huddle House. The drivers need a place to eat...
January 21, 2012 at 1:50 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )