UGA SBDC helps Columbus restaurateur launch $6 million culinary destination

“CARGO grew as I started talking to friends in the industry who told me if I was opening there, they wanted to go, too,” Newton said. “The concept quickly grew from one restaurant to six and a bar.”

She added 10 slips and 10 commissary kitchens for food trucks to lease in her plans.

In March 2024, Newton contacted Thomas Credle, a business consultant at the UGA SBDC in Columbus, for assistance.

“I needed to know things like how to structure the new business,” she said. “How do I come up with the capital? What is the estimated valuation? As Thomas and I worked on the analysis of the entire development, we had to project what the return on investment would be. I had to learn how to apply for federal grants and how to do a strategic SWOT analysis. Thomas helped with everything.”

Credle assisted Newton in securing the capital necessary to fund her expanded operations. He also guided her through local regulatory and Department of Transportation requirements for the new location.

As CARGO began to take shape, two of Newton’s business partners decided to step away from the project. With guidance from Credle, she secured the funding to buy out their shares and restructured her business plan. He helped her map out financial projections, form a new limited liability company (LLC) to manage the real estate and determine the timing and phasing of the construction. He also introduced her to an outside investor and specialized lender and helped her work with local banks to secure the construction loan.

“By having an ongoing working arrangement, we will periodically look over her financials together,” Credle said. “This helps her better understand them so she can make better financial decisions as her business grows.”

As Newton works on the new development, she continues to market her ever-evolving brand. Projects on the immediate horizon include a behind-the-scenes documentary featuring CARGO entrepreneurs and a new YouTube channel, “Minnie’s Recipe Box,” featuring Newton’s grandmother’s recipes. She plans to bring Credle in on the second project, which will incorporate artificial intelligence.

When it opens, Newton expects CARGO to create up to 450 jobs and generate as much as $15 million in annual sales, contributing an estimated $1 million in sales tax revenue back into the Columbus community. For Newton, the project isn’t just a business expansion, it’s a way to create opportunities for other entrepreneurs to thrive under one roof. With guidance from the UGA SBDC, she’s structured the venture to support long-term growth, shared success and lasting local impact.