With construction ongoing, Browns Socialhouse on Hespeler Road is planning for an early 2025 opening.
The restaurant is taking over the old Applebee's in the parking lot of the Cambridge Centre mall.
Touted as a stylish yet relaxed environment on its website, the restaurant is meant to be a combination of a neighbourhood pub and upscale casual dining.
Kevin May, a co-owner of the Waterloo location and the soon-to-be Cambridge eatery, is from the city and brings years of experience in the business back to his hometown.
"I've been in the restaurant business most of my life," May said.
"We want to have that neighbourhood pub feel. I also want to be able to enjoy it with my family and friends."
May said the franchise puts a high degree of emphasis on its service, creating a welcoming environment and attention to detail.
As for the food, he describes it as scratch cooking that's done in-house.
Being able to bring a restaurant to his hometown is something that excites May and he's looking forward to welcoming the community.
"We're all from the neighbourhood," he said of his fellow co-owners.
"We wanted to add something to the Highway 24 experience that wasn’t there."
One of the aspects that separates Browns Socialhouse from other franchised restaurants is its design, May said. While each location is open concept and centred around the bar, the layout and overall feel is unique to each location.
"They're all designed from the ground up," May said.
"Every one is different. We're doing a heated patio with retractable screens and roof and a heated floor."
The Cambridge Applebee's closed its doors in June of 2019.
The Vancouver-based franchise has over 80 locations throughout Canada, including the one in Waterloo on Northfield Drive.
For more information visit brownssocialhouse.com.
