020327 Steak Escape Cleared for Newark Airport Unit

Columbus, OH - Steak Escape, which prides itself on serving “America's Favorite Cheesesteak,” has picked New Jersey's Newark Airport as the site of its newest restaurant, bringing its national footprint to 180 restaurants in 32 states.

The opening of the new restaurant is another sign of the resurgence of travel in the tri-state area and the continued growth of Newark as a world-class travel gateway.

“We are particularly proud of this new restaurant,” says Ken Smith, Chairman of Escape Enterprises, Ltd., Steak Escape's corporate parent, “because of what it represents - not only to us, but especially to the New York metropolitan area. We are confident business and vacation air travel will soon return to normal, and we are pleased to be part of the revival.”

Steak Escape, created 20 years ago as a quality alternative to pizzas, burgers, tacos, and fried chicken, has become one of the fastest-growing quick service restaurants in the country. They feature a genuine grilled Philadelphia Cheesesteak sandwich prepared to order. They also serve fresh grilled salads, as well as ham, turkey, and chicken sandwiches. Each restaurant is designed so customers can enjoy interaction with the staff while their food is being prepared to order.

Owner of the Steak Escape restaurant at Newark Airport is Mike Chutko, an experienced foodservice franchisee. In addition to his Steak Escape in Rockaway, New Jersey, Chutko also owns all the Papa John's Pizza franchises in the Lehigh Valley. “I am grateful for the opportunity Steak Escape offers us. The concept and the menu mix have great appeal to the traveling customer, and the mood is definitely positive.”

Chutko has expanded the Steak Escape menu to an assortment of omelets, pancakes, and freshly baked pastries, in addition to fresh grilled breakfast sandwiches served on freshly baked rolls with high-end gourmet coffees.

Steak Escapes are in traditional as well as non-traditional locations: in malls, airports, college campuses, sports stadiums, convenience stores, strip centers, and free standing units. Last year, 39 new franchised units joined Escape Enterprises. One franchisee alone opened 21 stores in the past 13 months, and has contracted to open 100 more within the next ten years. The Company expects to grow to over 200 units by summer.

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