Buca di Beppo to open first Hampton Roads location? (Virginia Beach: oceanfront, 2013)

[Pink Jazz]

According to this article:
Italian Chain Spending $1M to Open White Marsh Restaurant

Buca di Beppo plans on opening its first Hampton Roads location in Chesapeake. While I don't live in the Hampton Roads area, my aunt does, and she would really like it if there were a Buca di Beppo location nearby.

Does anyone know the status of this?

[Coconut1]

Probably won't happen. If the company has half a brain and does market research they would easily see that Chesapeake is not a locality they would want to be in.

[Pink Jazz]

Originally Posted by Coconut1

Probably won't happen. If the company has half a brain and does market research they would easily see that Chesapeake is not a locality they would want to be in.

So, where in the Hampton Roads area would you think would be better?

[tvpirate05]

I've never heard of this place; is it more of a fancy Italian restaurant, or more on the lines of Carrabba's?

If the latter, Greenbrier could work, but I just wonder if that area is oversaturated with restaurants already...there's already quite a few Italian chains out there.

If the former, maybe VB or Hampton Town Center...then again, they also have their fair share of Italian chains. Maybe closer to the Oceanfront?

[Pink Jazz]

Originally Posted by tvpirate05

I've never heard of this place; is it more of a fancy Italian restaurant, or more on the lines of Carrabba's*?

If the latter, Greenbrier could work, but I just wonder if that area is oversaturated with restaurants already...there's already quite a few Italian chains out there.

If the former, maybe VB or Hampton Town Center...then again, they also have their fair share of Italian chains. Maybe closer to the Oceanfront?

Buca di Beppo is unique among Italian restaurants that food is served in family-sized portions. Their chicken parmesan is my favorite. We have four locations in the Phoenix area (Mesa, Chandler, Scottsdale, and Peoria/Arrowhead).

[dejasade]

Originally Posted by Pink Jazz

So, where in the Hampton Roads area would you think would be better?

Town Center of Virginia Beach.....it would be a great area to have that restaurant. Been there a few times and would love for it to come near me!! --- va beach.

[Pink Jazz]

Originally Posted by dejasade

Town Center of Virginia Beach.....it would be a great area to have that restaurant. Been there a few times and would love for it to come near me!! --- va beach.

Keep in mind though that Chesapeake is growing at a much faster rate in terms of population than Virginia Beach, and perhaps this is the reason why Buca di Beppo has its eyes on Chesapeake.

[citydweller]

Originally Posted by Pink Jazz

Keep in mind though that Chesapeake is growing at a much faster rate in terms of population than Virginia Beach, and perhaps this is the reason why Buca di Beppo has its eyes on Chesapeake.

According to this article, the Beach is the 2nd fastest growing in the state.

[Pink Jazz]

Originally Posted by citydweller

According to this article, the Beach is the 2nd fastest growing in the state.

Not sure if that article is accurate, since 2010 Census data had Chesapeake and Suffolk growing at a substantially faster rate than Virginia Beach from 2000 to 2010. I don't think Virginia Beach would suddenly grow at a faster rate, since Chesapeake and Suffolk are less built out.

[Pink Jazz]

FYI, the Winchester location has been approved:
Buca di Beppo coming to Apple Blossom Mall - Local News

Chesapeake probably shouldn't be too far behind.