Famous Dave’s Adds a Second Restaurant Inside Its St. Paul Location
Takeout demand reshapes West Seventh
Dining habits in Minnesota have shifted, and restaurants are adjusting fast. At the Famous Dave’s location on West Seventh Street in St. Paul, about half of all sales now come from takeout and catering. That left unused dining room space and a decision to make. Cut back or rethink the space.
They chose to rethink it.
One address, two brands
Instead of closing seating or downsizing, the Highland Park location partnered with Papa Murphy’s and created a co branded restaurant. About 1,000 square feet inside the building is now dedicated to take and bake pizza, while the BBQ kitchen keeps operating as usual.
Customers can pull into the same lot and choose ribs, pizza, or both. It is a simple idea, but one that reflects how people actually eat today.
Why St. Paul was the test market
This West Seventh location was selected because of its size and steady takeout traffic. Company leaders say the layout made it ideal for testing whether two complementary brands can operate side by side without confusing customers. Early signs suggest the model could expand to other cities and other brand pairings.
What it means for the neighborhood
For Highland Park and the surrounding St. Paul area, this approach keeps a familiar restaurant open and evolving instead of going dark. It also shows how commercial spaces can adapt without new construction or long vacancies.
From a real estate perspective, flexible restaurant footprints are becoming more valuable. Buildings that can adapt to multiple uses will win in the long run, especially in busy corridors like West Seventh.
If you live, invest, or run a business in the Twin Cities, this is the kind of local shift worth watching
