The Long John Silvers fast-food chain has opened an operation in the Spokane market in a space it shares with a Kentucky Fried Chicken restaurant just north of the Division Street Y.


Matt Jankowski, who owns seven KFC franchise restaurants here, says his outlet at 9229 N. Division now is operating jointly as a Long John Silvers outlet, under an agreement with Yum! Brands Inc., the Louisville, Ky., company that owns both chains.


The new fish-and-chips outlet will share kitchen, refrigeration, and counter space with the KFC, and both will use the same 76-seat dining area, Jankowski says. The new outlet also will share the same 55 employees at that location, he says.


This is the first Long John Silvers restaurant in the Spokane area, and, to my knowledge, its the first KFC-Long John Silvers combination in the state of Washington, he says. Jankowski says such combinations also are being tried in other states, such as Alaska and Nevada.


Early indications are very encouraging, Jankowski says. If we continue to do well, well probably do some more (joint restaurants) as it comes time to remodel at the other stores.


Baker Construction & Development Inc., of Spokane, remodeled the 3,200-square-foot building on North Division to accommodate the modified use. Jankowski declines to disclose the cost of the project.


Jankowski operates the seven KFC franchises through a company named Spokane Inc. He says he and a partner bought the franchise operations here in 1994, and he took full ownership of them in 1999.


Yum! Brands Inc. also operates the Pizza Hut, Taco Bell, and A & W Restaurants Inc. chains. The company says it has nearly 32,000 restaurants in more than 100 countries.


Contact Rocky Wilson at (509) 344-1264 or via e-mail at rockyw@spokanejournal.com.