New stores, restaurants open in Bell County; Big Chicken, Black Bear Diner, other chains announced | local news

At noon, the Greater Killeen Chamber of Commerce officially welcomed the retail giant to the area with a ribbon-cutting ceremony.

The event included a bucket sale, with savings of 20 percent on almost anything packed in a bucket; food and beverage vendors; Equestrian; free lunch for the whole family; as well as the chance to win prizes.

Regional Manager Bridget Fox said: “Customers seemed very excited about the products we carry… today was an amazing, amazing experience.”

Murdoch plans to open four more locations in Texas in the coming months, including the next store opening in May in Schertz, near San Antonio.

Shawarma Press, a Mediterranean quick service restaurant, is planning to open a Temple store as the chain aims to open more than 100 restaurants in Walmart stores and standalone locations over the next five years.

The Irving-based chain announced the Temple Shop and others will open in East and North Texas in late 2022. Shawarma Press has restaurants in Walmart stores in Arlington, Plano, San Antonio and Georgetown.

“The first Shawarma Press was launched in 2017 by Dallas entrepreneurs Sawsan Abublan and Dr. Ehap co-founded Sabri and opened their doors in Irving,” the company said in a press release. “Since then, the restaurant’s growing popularity has led to franchise requests across Texas and across the country. According to Ehap Sabri, PhD, former KPMG supply chain executive and associate professor at the School of Business (University of Texas at Dallas), more restaurants will open across Texas this year, followed by Wichita Falls, Lufkin and Temple.”

A location for the Temple Shawarma Press has not been announced.

Chicken Salad Chick, a fast-casual restaurant that serves 15 types of chicken salad, announced in June that franchise agreements will bring nearly 20 new restaurants to Texas.

Chicken Salad Chick said franchisees are developing two Bell County locations in Temple and Killeen, but no details were given. The Temple Restaurant is scheduled to open within two years, the company said.

The chain currently has 21 locations in Texas, including those in the Houston and Dallas-Fort Worth areas.

Chicken Salad Chick celebrated the opening of a restaurant in Lake Jackson on June 15th.

“Within the next 24 months, Chicken Salad Chick plans to open additional locations in Amarillo, Frisco, Houston, Missouri City, San Antonio, Temple, Tyler and Weatherford,” the company said in June.

A new retail store has appeared in Killeen, offering seasonal supplies as well as craft and general supplies.

Popshelf, owned by national retailer Dollar General, is the discounter’s newest venture in the American suburbs with up to 1,000 planned stores.

According to a press release, “Popshelf is an exciting new retail outlet that offers customers an affordable and fun shopping experience, with the vast majority of items priced at $5 or less. When the store opens, customers can expect a fun, happy and guilt-free shopping experience as they browse a selection of on-trend seasonal and home decor, health and beauty must-haves, household cleaning items, houseware and specialty items, arts and crafts, party planning and entertainment supplies , toys and much more!”

The store is located at 3200 W. Stan Schlueter Loop in Killeen and is open seven days a week from 9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m.

Popshelf operates approximately 100 locations across much of the southern United States including Texas, Mississippi, Alabama, Florida, Tennessee, the Carolinas, Kentucky and Virginia.

Taco Casa, a competitor to other fast food restaurants like Taco Bell and Taco Bueno, recently opened at 3201 W. Stan Schlueter Loop in Killeen.

Online ordering and delivery services are not yet available, but guests can dine or order from the drive-thru, franchise owner Khalid Matahen said.

The opening times are daily from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.

Taco Casa has 155 stores nationwide, with the closest stores being in the Dallas-Fort Worth area, according to the company’s website.

A number of concept-oriented restaurants are planned in Bell County.

NBA Hall of Famer Shaquille O’Neal’s franchise announced that an agreement has been signed to bring a Big Chicken restaurant location to Killeen in 2023.

Founded in 2018, Big Chicken fuses O’Neal’s childhood home-made favorites with today’s on-trend flavors. According to a press release from the franchise, each menu item tells a story and offers the guest a glimpse into their life and personality. The menu features crispy chicken sandwiches and Tender to Cheez-It crusted mac n’ cheese and handcrafted ice cream shakes.

Austin entrepreneur Jace Mattison is the Killeen franchise owner. According to the owner, neither a location nor an opening date have been set. But he said it would open sometime in 2023.

“It’s a fantastic brand with a great product and the team is incredible to work with,” said Mattison.

He said he decided to open three locations — one in Killeen and the other two in Waco and College Station — “because of growth in those areas.”

The franchise has locations in multiple states including California, Nevada, Ohio, Washington, New York and Texas.

Black Bear Diner, a Redding, California-based company, is bringing its unique concept of bear-themed family dining and comfort food to Harker Heights.

The Harker Heights location, the building that was formerly Richard Rawlings’ garage on the Central Texas Expressway, is one of several company-owned restaurants planned in Texas, most of which will open by the end of 2022.

“The local Texas communities have been very hospitable, and we look forward to bringing our home-style dining to even more guests across the state later this year,” Black Bear Diner CEO Anita Adams said in a press release.

The restaurant offers breakfast, lunch and dinner.

According to the company, it has 147 locations in 14 states and is still growing.

Dutch Bros Coffee announced that its Harker Heights location will open on Wednesday.

“HARKER HEIGHTS! Our GRAND OPENING is on November 30th! Roll through our newest Dutch Bros Coffee location at 650 E. FM 2410!” the company announced on Facebook. “We’re thrilled to see you there!”

The Oregon-based provider of coffee, smoothies, and iced beverages has two locations in Killeen. The most recent opened on Clear Creek Road in February and will be constructed along the Stan Schlueter Loop in Killeen in 2021.

Shop opening hours are Sunday to Thursday from 5am to 10pm and Friday to Saturday from 5am to 11pm.

The Harker Heights location will be the first Dutch Bros location in that city. Dutch Bros has two locations in Temple.

Texas grocery giant HEB has opened its first HEB brand store in Kerrville, featuring Texan and HEB-related merchandise such as t-shirts, socks, baby clothes, hats, coffee mugs, shoes and stickers. More are planned for early next year in every region the company operates in, including central Texas.

According to a press release, the launch commemorates the company’s 117th anniversary.

“HEB superfans can now show their pride for their favorite Texas retailer by wearing brand-centric HEB gear no matter where they are,” the company said in a press release.

While the broader launch of the line’s full line is expected in 2023, select stores across Texas, including Bell County, have HEB-themed holiday ornaments now available in the seasonal section of stores, the company said.