MR MIKES Steakhouse Casual is getting ready to open its doors in Cochrane!
Owned by Cochrane locals Greg Tisdale and Steve Bauer, the casual steakhouse held a VIP night on Saturday, March 19 to promote its brand and give back to the community all in the same night.
All proceeds from that event will be going to the Rock the Waves initiative, a fundraising campaign for the new aquatic and curling centre currently under construction in Cochrane. The official dollar amount for the donation hasn’t been calculated yet but, according to Bauer, it will roughly be around $5,500, including a $1,000 donation from RAMMP Hospitality Brands Inc.
“The VIP night was extremely successful – we had about 85 or 90 people that attended, which included Cochrane Mayor Ivan Brooker,” Bauer said.
The plans to open a MR MIKES Steakhouse Casual in Cochrane started back in November of 2011 when he learned the Quarry District of Cochrane would soon start development.
“I had always known that this town needed another option for a restaurant and I thought a steakhouse would be a good option for that,” Bauer explained.
“So after several months of research, I landed upon the MR MIKES franchise and I just thought that the style, the décor, everything about this place was appealing to Cochrane.”
The first MR MIKES opened in 1960 in Vancouver and the brand was acquired by RAMMP in 2010. Their current goal is to expand the franchise in Western Canada and Ontario.
“It’s humble and modest and it’s your place - a place where you don’t have to be something you’re not, you can just be yourself. It means tasty and affordable creations from our signature steak and Mikeburgers to our home-branded wines and beers,” states the franchise’s website.
Bauer said he and Tisdale are excited their efforts are finally coming to fruition after years of planning. The steakhouse is currently in its “soft opening” phase but intends to hold a grand opening on April 2.
“We’re very excited to be in the town – we’re a steakhouse casual concept so come as you are. We offer an atmosphere that is relaxed, inviting, and family-oriented. Both Greg and I are local residents to Cochrane, we’ve both raised our families in this community and we really want this restaurant and this business to be about the community.”
For more information about MR MIKES Steakhouse Casual, visit mrmikes.ca
