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Initially intrigued by Vicious Biscuit as a restaurant name when the concept launched six years ago in South Carolina, Indianapolis-based entrepreneur Steve Wise plans to open 10 locations of the breakfast and brunch eatery in central Indiana.
Wise is partnering with David Dessner, a mortgage loan officer in Charleston, South Carolina, as a franchisee duo. Wise, co-founder of construction labor and staffing company NCW, said he expects the restaurant’s menu of biscuits, beignets and shrimp and grits will translate well from the South to Indianapolis.
“The biscuits are crispy and fluffy,” Wise said. “They really spend time on making a quality biscuit.”
Wise first learned of Vicious Biscuit while on a golf trip to Ireland, where former McAlister’s Deli franchisee George McLaughlin was a fellow player. McLaughlin mentioned his plans to open the first Vicious Biscuit in South Carolina.
“I said, ‘Man, that’s a great name,’” recalled Wise, who floated the idea of Indiana locations. McLaughlin said he was open to the idea when the time was right, and Vicious Biscuit now operates seven locations in South Carolina, North Carolina, Florida and Ohio.
Wise and Dessner, who are new to the restaurant industry, plan to open their first Vicious Biscuit spot in Fishers within 12 months. They want to expand to other Hamilton County communities before moving southward, Wise said.
“I believe Indianapolis is a great food town,” Wise said. “Every concept works here really well. Fishers, Carmel and Westfield are great food markets. Greenwood is a great food market.”
Staffing at the restaurants likely will be eight to 12 people per shift, said Wise, who grew up in Akron, Ohio, and is not related to Indiana restaurateur Scott Wise.
The company said it had eight franchisee deals in place, with more than 40 units in the works. It expects to reach 75 locations in the next five years, with franchises ranging from 2,800 to 3,500 square feet.
Existing Vicious Biscuit locations serve customers 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Friday and 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. The restaurant’s drink menu includes mimosas and craft cocktails.
And the restaurant’s name hasn’t lost its edge, Wise said.
“It’s kind of a vicious meal to eat,” he said with a laugh. “It’s a little bit hot and a little bit spicy and a little bit fattening.”
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Please send to Franklin too. Greenwood is not the limit of Johnson County. In the next ten years, Johnson County, along with Morgan County and the South side of Marion County will be the primary areas of growth due to the completion of the I-69 corridor.
The population will double in this area over that time so notice the southside and it doesn’t just stop at Greenwood.
You are absolutely correct about the growth coming fast to Johnson county. I could see it easily being the equivalent to Hamilton County. Im a real estate investor and Johnson county is definitely on my partners and I radar. Central Indiana as a whole will see a significant surge in population with all the economic development around the entire metro, with the pacers possibly making the playoffs and the arrival of Caitlin Clark, Eleven Park and the new Hilton makes Indy a very attractive place to do business and plenty of new restaurant concepts will be needed on every side of town for sure. Excellent point you bring up.
My wife and I love this restaurant. We go at least 2 times on every trip we make to Charleston.
My wife and I also LOVE Vicous Biscuits. Cant wait…please open one in northern Marion County.
With its current reliance on drive-thru fast food and it booming population growth, Westfield is the premier candidate for anyone in search of a viable location for non-fast-food.
Can’t wait! Please consider coming to Brownsburg!