A Georgia Southern graduate and former law enforcement officer, Rick Howard is set to open Newk's Eatery in the summer.

The restaurant will be located next to Popeyes and Dunkin’ on Highway 80 East, across from Lowe’s. Howard is a minority owner in both those restaurants that are majority owned by Tiku Shroff. Schroff closed on the three-acre parcel next to the entrance of Bel-Air Estates in August 2023. Both Popeyes and Dunkin’ opened in December 2024.

Described as a fast/casual restaurant, Newk’s offers salads, sandwiches, soups and pizzas, all made in the restaurant’s kitchen without fryers or microwaves.

Also, Howard is an owner-partner for the Wild Wing Cafe on Fair Road in Statesboro, along with Wild Wing Cafes in Macon, Warner Robins and Alpharetta. In addition to the Newk’s in Statesboro, Howard plans to open Newk’s in Savannah and Warner Robins later in 2025.

Based in Jackson, Mississippi, Newk's Eatery operates and franchises about 100 units in 12 states. It was founded in 2004 and named after co-founder Chris "Newk" Newcomb. Newk’s Currently operates 13 restaurants in Georgia, with two locations in Athens the closest to Statesboro.

Land clearing for the Statesboro Newk’s began earlier in 2025 and actual construction began in March. The restaurant is slated to open in July or August.