JoyceKC’s Quick Bite: Another area Rock & Brews by 2016?

Rock & Brews franchisee Kirk Williams is in expansion mode.

Just four months after opening an Overland Park location, Williams is now looking at sites for another area Rock & Brews, as well as one in Denver. Those locations could open by 2017. A third area location could open after that.

“People like to be in places that have fun energy,” Williams said.

Rock & Brews was co-founded by Gene Simmons and Paul Stanley of Kiss. The venues feature an open layout with “concert lighting and concert-style rock music,” as well as rock-and-roll murals and a large patio area.

Williams is president of Legacy Restaurant Group LLC in Topeka, which owns nearly two dozen Wendy’s restaurants in Kansas and Missouri.

He founded Kanbrews LLC to develop, open and operate Rock & Brews in Kansas, Missouri, Colorado, Nebraska, and Oklahoma. Previously, he said he would open at least two restaurants in the Kansas City area, but now might open a third.

Williams also is tweaking operations at the new Prairiefire location, at 5701 W. 135th St.

To help beef up weekday lunch traffic — when many consumers are time-crunched — Rock & Brews has introduced new lunch specials “10 for $10 in 10,” or 10 items for $10 served 10 minutes after the order is placed. They include the American Dream Burger, Kansas City barbeque chicken sandwiches, pulled pork sandwiches, and the Harvest Moon Farmer’s Market Salad.

Overland Park Rock & Brews also has teamed up with two local companies.

It uses ancho cherry jam — from Our Sassy Pantry in Prairie Village — as a shrimp glaze in its Sassy’s Ancho Cherry Shrimp Tacos, and Sassy’s bacon jam as an ingredient in its warm bacon vinaigrette for the Sassy’s Warm Baby Spinach salad.

Rock & Brews also created its own barbecue sauce that is now manufactured by Original Juan Specialty Foods in Kansas City, Kan., and also will be used at the other eight other Rock & Brews restaurants.

Simmons of Kiss came to town Sunday and Monday for promotional appearances, including taking photos with 120 fans at the restaurant Sunday night. He also announced plans for Rock & Brews’ Rocktoberfest, offering seasonal beers and traditional German menu items during October.

The restaurants also will offer a free hamburger or barbecue pulled pork sandwich to veterans or active military on Veteran’s Day.

This story was originally published September 30, 2014 at 7:00 AM with the headline "JoyceKC’s Quick Bite: Another area Rock & Brews by 2016?."