By Conrad Dudderar
Senior Staff Writer
Business and community leaders converged on the Yukon area’s newest restaurant this week for a VIP grand opening event.
The Yukon Chamber of Commerce presented a ribbon cutting ceremony on Wednesday, Aug. 21 at the new Schlotzsky’s Austin Eatery, 12860 NW 10.
Grand opening day was Thursday for the 3,100 square foot restaurant, just east of Chicken Express near the Garth Brooks Boulevard/Highway 92 intersection. The site is in Oklahoma City limits on the south side of 10th Street.
“We’re very proud to be part of the Yukon community,” franchise owner Shireen Panjwani said.
Panjwani, who owns the restaurant with her husband Karim, said that 40 employees have been hired with the goal to add more as the business grows.
“Everyone’s excited,” she said. “We’ve been patiently waiting to get here and it’s finally happening now.”
This is the 13th Schlotzsky’s in central Oklahoma, according to the company’s website. Other restaurants are in El Reno, Oklahoma City, Edmond, Moore, Midwest City, and Norman.
The Panjwani’s, who live near Piedmont, opened a 2,800 square foot Schlotzsky’s in Shawnee in 2017.
They signed a contract to purchase the south Yukon site in 2016 and finally received approval earlier this year from Oklahoma City for required driveway access.
Construction started in late February and the franchise owners had hoped to open in June but wet weather this summer delayed completion. This new restaurant has a drive-through and ample parking.
Schlotzsky’s Austin Eatery features Austin, Texas-inspired food and hand-crafted creations with bold flavors and a spirit of originality.
“The first (in Oklahoma) opened four months ago in Edmond and this is the second,” Panjwani said.
A unique feature of the new Yukon-area restaurant is a garage door that opens to provide fresh air.
“It’s something a little different,” Panjwani said.
All the Schlotzsky’s in central Oklahoma are being remodeled and will become Austin eateries.
Schlotzsky’s opened in 1971 with a small shop on South Congress in Austin, Texas. Only one sandwich was served – The Original, with a unique combination of 13 ingredients served on toasted house-made sourdough bread.
Schlotzsky’s has now spanned across 35 states, serving up toasted sandwiches, artisan flatbreads, specialty pizzas, freshly tossed salads, gourmet soups, and more.
