BREAUX BRIDGE, La. (Dec. 14, 2023) – As we facilitate through the final stages before we open our doors, we are more confident than ever that we will hit our expected target and open to the public in early January 2024. We are steadily working through the permitting stage & things are running right on schedule.
Currently in progress are critical interior renovations, improvements & upgrades the community will be more than pleased to see when they visit. Major exterior additions began last week bringing noticeable changes just in passing by. Phase 1 of asphalting the one acre of parking the restaurant currently sits on is almost complete. Phase 2 will soon follow as we limestone the two-acre ‘Bus &RV Lot’. Needless to say, there will be plenty of parking! Paving the last acre of the four, directly behind the restaurant, will offer us many opportunities as we add additional facilities to the property, enabling us to host private parties, events & live music. More details are coming soon! Lastly, the Randol’s Attraction Sign is in production at our sign company, awaiting installation & we are hopeful it will be up and running before we open.
Being in business for over 50 years, the Randol’s Team has always believed in & strives to achieve the recurring commitment to prove to the world that we are here to stay! We are dedicated to bringing tourism back and bringing it full throttle!
That being said, Randol’s is pleased to announce Front-of-house, back-of-house, and administrative additions to our team. Restaurant General Manager Jimmy LaGrange, Head Chef Dudley Touchet, and Chief Operating Officer Jenn Patin.
Jimmy has over thirty-five years in the industry, twenty-five of which were with Mulate’s, where he began as a busboy/dishwasher, then quickly worked his way up to General Manager until Mulate’s closed. In July 2013, Jimmy was hired as the General Manager of Randol’s Kaliste Saloom location and has worked with (Frank) Randol’s ever since. “It feels great to return to my roots, and I am ready to return to the industry. Coming to Breaux Bridge just felt right.” – Jimmy LaGrange.
Chef Dudley, joins the crew bearing many accolades he has been awarded over the years. He joined the Petroleum Club of Lafayette in 1997 and quickly rose to become their head chef, a position he held for over twenty-five years. Dudley also has previous experience working at the Kaliste Saloom location and was happy to rejoin the team on this new venture. “I am honored to have even been considered for this role, and I am dedicated to curating our menu to provide exceptional quality, showcase local seafood, and create off-menu specials as we highlight featured seasonal dishes.” – Dudley Touchet.
Jenn is a 2006 graduate of ULL with a Bachelor of Science in Hospitality Management. She is coming on board with over twenty years of experience in the service industry, where her career started as a ‘hostess with the most-ess’, where she, too, worked her way up to management in the industry. “Born, raised & still residing in Breaux Bridge… This venture is the opportunity of a lifetime for me! I love everything about this community… I know the history, nostalgia & memories that this property is known for, and I am blessed to be a part of the revitalization our facility will bring to this area. It will be a turning point, no doubt!” – Jenn.
As we have all had to pivot and rebuild after the pandemic, our primary goal with staffing is to incorporate and utilize the culture we were created from. We want to support locals by hiring locals. Because no one knows ‘local’ like ‘local’ folks do! That said, we will soon be hiring both front and back-of-house staff. Applicants can visit randols.com to download the application through the Employment Link at the top of the home page.
Our initial focus as we maneuver through the next few weeks is to get our team in place and to continue visualizing and planning out the multiple concepts that the property will be able to facilitate. Frank has repeatedly stated about tourism and giving back to the community, “I’m not done yet!” More than anything, we wish that we were already open! Unfortunately, small businesses lately have to go through what feels like a ‘hurry up and wait’ process. We promise we are working diligently to push through and open our doors soon! Stay tuned!
“Randol’s left here forty years ago and returning has felt so natural. We are more than pleased at how receptive Breaux Bridge has been with us returning, and we are thankful they have allowed us to become a part of the fabric that makes this community what it is today. We are lucky to have such a cohesive team; their caliber is already second to none.” (Frank Randol)
