Claim Jumper Plans 5-Store Expansion

Claim Jumper, the Irvine restaurant chain known for big restaurants that serve heaping portions, is embarking on its largest expansion in 1998. The privately held 20-unit chain will open five new restaurants over the next 12 months and broaden its reach into two new states: Washington and Arizona.

“We didn’t really plan it this way; it’s just the way the real estate deals worked out,” said Scott McIntosh, chief operating officer. “We usually like to take our time and do things right.”

New restaurants will be built in Redmond, Wash., across the street from Microsoft’s headquarters; Deer Valley and Tempe in Arizona; and Northridge and Dublin in California. The company currently has 19 restaurants in California and one in Colorado.

A typical Claim Jumper runs about 13,000 square feet and seats about 350 diners. The restaurants cost about $3 million each to build, putting the ’98 expansion tab at $15 million. The growth will be financed by a combination of cash and borrowing, McIntosh said.