Houston restaurant chain, Black Walnut Cafe, is scheduled to open its first Austin establishment at 10817 RR 2222 at River Place Boulevard after receiving building permits last week.

The restaurant acquired the property in December and has plans to break ground on its sixth Texas location in a few weeks, said Haydar Kustu, Black Walnut Cafe's director of Business Development and Marketing.

"We hope to expand to ten locations in Texas," said Kustu.

Kustu said that an Austin site in addition to the Four Points build is anticipated as the company grows. The first Black Walnut Cafe opened in The Woodlands on April 21, 2002.

Black Walnut Cafes are designed for fast-casual service in which customers order at a counter, receive a pager, find a table and pick up their order, Kustu said.

"Some people love that flexibility—to order, eat and then walk away," Kustu said. "They don't want to have to wait for a waiter."

The River Place building may qualify for an LEED federal green building program certification, a first for the company, Kustu said. Black Walnut Cafe's Four Points location plans to seat about 180 diners, include a full-service bar and serve breakfast all day. Most locations open at 7:00 a.m. daily and close at 10:00 p.m. during the week and 11:00 p.m. on weekends.

Menu items focus on American comfort foods with some healthy options and a few twists such as Ahi Tuna Salad and Lobster Tacos, Kustu said.

Kustu said that the new location will create about 40 to 50 jobs in the Four Points area.