Walk-On's Sports Bistreaux opened the doors to its first Northeast Arkansas location on Monday, bringing the Louisiana-born sports bar concept to 2809 E. Highland Drive in Jonesboro. The restaurant took over the site once occupied by Ryan's Buffet, and its arrival caps nearly a year of construction and hiring that created roughly 85 jobs in the area.
The opening date had been locked in for weeks, with the chain confirming that the location would officially open its doors on Monday, Oct. 26, according to Jonesboro Right Now. The outlet also reported that the restaurant brought on approximately 85 team members for the Jonesboro location, with construction having started in late 2025. That timeline tracks with earlier reporting from WhatNow, which noted the project was once on track to begin greeting guests in early August before the opening ultimately landed in late October.
Franchisees Chris and Jodie McJunkins developed the Jonesboro location, according to a report from KAIT8 when the project was first announced in November 2025. The site itself carries some local history, since the concept moved into the building previously occupied by Ryan's Buffet on Highland Drive, per WhatNow's reporting.
What Diners Will Find Inside
Reports differ slightly on the building's exact footprint. WhatNow described the project as a 6,500-square-foot building representing a newer prototype with an open floor plan, while KAIT8 reported that StoneBridge Construction was building a 6,000-square-foot restaurant. Either way, the design includes a game room and televisions scattered throughout, along with a semi-enclosed patio for guests who want to eat outside, WhatNow reported.
The concept blends American classics with Louisiana flavors, a combination one representative summed up to WhatNow by describing it simply as a sports-themed restaurant with American classics and some Louisiana cuisine mixed in. The brand planned a run of what it called “epic giveaways” throughout opening week, according to the same Jonesboro Right Now report that confirmed the Oct. 26 opening date.
A Grand Opening With Local Ties
Walk-On's marked the occasion with a grand-opening ribbon-cutting ceremony in Jonesboro, and the Jonesboro Chamber of Commerce joined the celebration, welcoming the restaurant to the area, according to a report from KJNB-TV. Walk-On's founder and CEO Brandon Landry said Jonesboro residents were excited about the restaurant's arrival, per that same report, and said the company held mock shifts to prepare its team for opening day, with lines out the door during those mock shifts in the days before the restaurant opened. Landry also said Walk-On's plans to invest in and become part of the Jonesboro community, including support for local churches, schools, and charities.
A Growing Brand With NFL Roots
Walk-On's Sports Bistreaux is co-owned by former NFL quarterback Drew Brees, KAIT8 reported, a connection that has helped fuel the brand's expansion across the South and beyond. The company was founded in 2003 in Baton Rouge by Brandon Landry, a former basketball walk-on at LSU, according to Restaurant Business. That outlet reported the chain has grown to more than 75 locations in 13 states, with 100 franchised stores in development, though KAIT8's earlier report put the footprint at more than 75 locations in 15 states.
Restaurant Business also reported a leadership change atop the company, noting that Landry was set to be replaced as CEO by President and COO Scott Taylor, while Landry remains involved with the brand. For Jonesboro, the headline news is simpler: a new sports bar with a Louisiana twist has opened on Highland Drive, and roughly 85 new employees are now behind the counter.
