On politics, restaurant development and achieving “business legend” status with Jim Keet

One of Rex’s old friends and longtime Arkansas politician Jim Keet returns to the podcast this week to discuss several topics relevant to Jim’s multifaceted career and, in particular, the businessman’s longstanding history in the restaurant business. Rex and Jim’s conversation begins with an overview of their joint involvement in Arkansas’ Republican party at a time when Democrats ruled the state. This part of the chat focuses on the Springfield, Missouri-native’s time in the Arkansas House of Representatives and Senate as well as his 2010 run for state governor. But Keet has spent much of his professional time over the years “in and out of the hotel business,” as he describes it, and developing restaurants alongside his sons and sister-in-law. Over the years, Jim has played a significant role in helping establish a number of well-known restaurants and chains in the state, including the Wendy’s franchise.   Much of the second part of their discussion concerns Jim’s development of the businesses in Breckenridge Village, an outdoor shopping center with eateries situated off Little Rock’s North Rodney Parham Road. Jim characterizes Breckenridge Village as a “catalyst for revitalizing Midtown,” and talks about the damage caused to the center on March 31, 2023 when the center was greatly damaged by an EF-3 tornado that tore through the city. However, since that time, Jim talks about the progress made as part of the redevelopment of Breckenridge Village and the forthcoming businesses slated to enter that location, including but not limited to a new movie theater that includes a bowling alley with a variety of food options.  Follow Rex Nelson's Southern Fried Podcast on Apple, Spotify, and YouTube, or visit arkansasonline.com/podcast23 for an exclusive subscription offer available only to podcast listeners.