By CASSANDRA MICKENS/Associate Editor

HOOVER — Newk’s Eatery, a Jackson, Mississippi-based “fresh casual” restaurant chain, has announced plans to open a location in Inverness off U.S. 280.

The restaurant is slated to open in early fall at Inverness Corners shopping center at the intersection of U.S. 280 and Valleydale Road in Hoover, according to a news release. Newk’s is the second new business to call Inverness Corners home. The shopping center welcomed a new Winn Dixie store in November 2013.

Newk’s also plans to open another Hoover location at the Riverchase Village shopping center at the intersection of U.S. 31 and Lorna Road.

Newk’s recently celebrated the 10th anniversary of its first location, a locally owned sandwich shop in Oxford, Mississippi. The restaurant concept, which includes fresh, hand tossed salads, oven-baked sandwiches, California-style pizzas and made-from-scratch soups, is the vision of Newk’s President and CEO Chris Newcomb.

Newcomb founded Newk’s Eatery with his father, Oxford dentist Don Newcomb and family friend Debra Bryson. The trio also is responsible for building the McAlister’s Deli brand 25 years ago before selling it to investors.

Newk’s currently has 69 locations in 13 states. For more information, visit newks.com.