Jose?s Plans Franchise In Old Springdale CSF

Joe Fennel, founder of Jose Inc., has sold the first franchise of Jose’s Mexican Restaurant to Doug Allen, a longtime employee of Jose’s and Bordino’s in Fayetteville, which are both owned by Jose Inc.

The new restaurant, called Jose’s Southwest Grill will be located in the 7,000-SF building at 5240 W. Sunset Ave. in Springdale that previously housed a Cafe Santa Fe restaurant. CSF Franchise Group closed that company-owned restaurant on March 2 after nine years of operation.

Fennel said the new Jose’s should be open by September. The restaurant will seat 175 diners and will serve the same items that are on the menu at Jose’s Fayetteville restaurant.

Fennel said a Jose’s Streetside will be constructed adjacent to the restaurant. Fennel opened the original Jose’s Streetside as a sidewalk cafe in 1997 on the Dickson Street side of his Fayetteville restaurant.

Keith Burmylo, chef at Ermilio’s restaurant in Eureka Springs, has been hired as chef at the new Jose’s. Sarah Fennel, Joe’s daughter, will be service manager at the new restaurant. The building is owned by Sam Mathias of Springdale.

“At this stage in my career, I think it’s the proper thing for me to do,” Fennel said. “Doug has put together a great franchise team, and I think they’ll be very successful.”

Allen was in Ireland and unavailable for comment.