Frisco Enterprise > News
Turning up the heat: New woodfire grill hopes to make fast food healthy
A family enjoys healthier options available at Cedars Woodfire Grill at its current location in Plano. A new location in Frisco is scheduled to open on Aug. 6. Photo courtesy of Cedars Woodfire Grill.
By Kaitlin Pennell, staff writer
Fast food restaurants are a common sight to see while out and about. Millions of people eat at these restaurants every day with little regard for the number of studies showing that regularly consuming these unhealthy foods could potentially lead to health issues.
Cedars Woodfire Grill, a healthy fast-casual restaurant, is hoping to combat the unhealthy horrors of fast food when it opens a new location in Frisco on Aug. 6.
Founded on three simple concepts, "eat well, live well and feel good," the restaurant hopes to appeal to people of all ages who enjoy a healthy, active lifestyle.
Co-founders Randy Gier and Laurie Curtis wanted to create a restaurant that kept the same appeal of fast food restaurants while being health-conscious. With a combined 45 years of experience in the restaurant industry, they are no strangers to the lack of healthy, fast-casual food options.
"Laurie is a mother who knows how hard it is to get kids to eat healthy foods," Gier said. "She helped me create a new kind of restaurant where the food was still quick and delicious but also good for you. I've spent a lot of my career in marketing listening to consumers, and this is what they told me they wanted -- food that was great-tasting, healthy and supports a healthy lifestyle.
"[Families] are often on the go from soccer games, to movies and other events, so they may not always have the time to have meals at home every day."
At Cedars, fresh, all-natural meats and vegetables are cooked on a large grill at the heart of the restaurant. The restaurant features no freezers, fryers or microwaves. Chefs cook all food over an open fire in order to achieve the healthiest and freshest product. Vegetarian options are also available by substituting meat for baby bella cremini mushrooms, and meat products are cooked using different utensils to prevent cross-contamination. The best part -- everything on the menu is under $10.
"We're committed to fueling our lives with good things, promoting active lifestyles and feeling great with quality ingredients and nutritional transparency," Gier said. "Everything that's on the menu is under $10. It's hard to keep it there, especially with the prices these days, but we're committed to making it affordable for everyone."
Food can either be prepared quickly if guests do not have time to linger, or at a regular pace if they do. Gier said the restaurant calls the philosophy "your place, your pace" to cater to the needs of all its guest.
The restaurant has an additional location in Plano, at 6509 W. Park Blvd., and Gier said they've seen great success since its opening.
"People have been pleased to find us," Gier explained. "We have a lot of regulars who come to eat with us a few times a week. A lot of people from Frisco come in and say 'Hey, you should come to Frisco.' I knew that opening a restaurant over there would be a good idea."
Gier expressed excitement with the new Frisco location.
"It's going to be a beautiful [location] and we just can't wait," he said. "In addition to our fans from Frisco that come to our Plano location, we just think that the Frisco community is a great match to what we're trying to achieve. There are a lot of sporting events and activities as well as active families who want to enjoy a fast, healthy meal in Frisco."
At the Frisco location, 4710 Preston Road, new additions will be made: guests should see additional menu items as well as a party room available for reservations.
Cedars is also looking for ways to give back to the community. Partnering with Plano City House for a fundraising event on Aug. 7, a percentage of all proceeds will be donated to the organization dedicated to helping and serving homeless and abused children. On Saturdays, the restaurant also provides children with free kid's meals when they come in after a sports game wearing their uniform.
Along with the new Frisco location, Cedars is planning to open another restaurant in Dallas at the Cooper Aerobics Center at the beginning of next year. Gier said Dr. Kenneth Cooper, founder of the Cooper Aerobics Center and renowned health and fitness author, is big fan of the restaurant as well.
"We've definitely found our little niche in the restaurant industry that makes us different," Gier said. "We start with the taste and food content to make sure our food is the best and best for you. We have great chefs that helped us create our menu. And we do it in an environment that is warm, inviting, comfortable and casual.
"We have fast family service, healthy food and a warm atmosphere -- what more could you ask for?"
Cedars Woodfire Grill, a healthy fast-casual restaurant, is hoping to combat the unhealthy horrors of fast food when it opens a new location in Frisco on Aug. 6.
Founded on three simple concepts, "eat well, live well and feel good," the restaurant hopes to appeal to people of all ages who enjoy a healthy, active lifestyle.
Co-founders Randy Gier and Laurie Curtis wanted to create a restaurant that kept the same appeal of fast food restaurants while being health-conscious. With a combined 45 years of experience in the restaurant industry, they are no strangers to the lack of healthy, fast-casual food options.
"Laurie is a mother who knows how hard it is to get kids to eat healthy foods," Gier said. "She helped me create a new kind of restaurant where the food was still quick and delicious but also good for you. I've spent a lot of my career in marketing listening to consumers, and this is what they told me they wanted -- food that was great-tasting, healthy and supports a healthy lifestyle.
"[Families] are often on the go from soccer games, to movies and other events, so they may not always have the time to have meals at home every day."
At Cedars, fresh, all-natural meats and vegetables are cooked on a large grill at the heart of the restaurant. The restaurant features no freezers, fryers or microwaves. Chefs cook all food over an open fire in order to achieve the healthiest and freshest product. Vegetarian options are also available by substituting meat for baby bella cremini mushrooms, and meat products are cooked using different utensils to prevent cross-contamination. The best part -- everything on the menu is under $10.
"We're committed to fueling our lives with good things, promoting active lifestyles and feeling great with quality ingredients and nutritional transparency," Gier said. "Everything that's on the menu is under $10. It's hard to keep it there, especially with the prices these days, but we're committed to making it affordable for everyone."
Food can either be prepared quickly if guests do not have time to linger, or at a regular pace if they do. Gier said the restaurant calls the philosophy "your place, your pace" to cater to the needs of all its guest.
The restaurant has an additional location in Plano, at 6509 W. Park Blvd., and Gier said they've seen great success since its opening.
"People have been pleased to find us," Gier explained. "We have a lot of regulars who come to eat with us a few times a week. A lot of people from Frisco come in and say 'Hey, you should come to Frisco.' I knew that opening a restaurant over there would be a good idea."
Gier expressed excitement with the new Frisco location.
"It's going to be a beautiful [location] and we just can't wait," he said. "In addition to our fans from Frisco that come to our Plano location, we just think that the Frisco community is a great match to what we're trying to achieve. There are a lot of sporting events and activities as well as active families who want to enjoy a fast, healthy meal in Frisco."
At the Frisco location, 4710 Preston Road, new additions will be made: guests should see additional menu items as well as a party room available for reservations.
Cedars is also looking for ways to give back to the community. Partnering with Plano City House for a fundraising event on Aug. 7, a percentage of all proceeds will be donated to the organization dedicated to helping and serving homeless and abused children. On Saturdays, the restaurant also provides children with free kid's meals when they come in after a sports game wearing their uniform.
Along with the new Frisco location, Cedars is planning to open another restaurant in Dallas at the Cooper Aerobics Center at the beginning of next year. Gier said Dr. Kenneth Cooper, founder of the Cooper Aerobics Center and renowned health and fitness author, is big fan of the restaurant as well.
"We've definitely found our little niche in the restaurant industry that makes us different," Gier said. "We start with the taste and food content to make sure our food is the best and best for you. We have great chefs that helped us create our menu. And we do it in an environment that is warm, inviting, comfortable and casual.
"We have fast family service, healthy food and a warm atmosphere -- what more could you ask for?"
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