Cajun Twist LLC, a local restaurant known for serving authentic New Orleans Cuisine once located in The Trailhead at Theodore Wirth Golf Course, now in the old Marla’s Restaurant in South Minneapolis, will hire and train eighty-eight ex-felons over the course of five years, with the intent of preparing them for franchise ownership and management.

Sadly, the mistakes that lead to the title felon typically follow with avenues of change, from programs and training courses; however once introduced back into society, the label never goes away, leaving these ex-felons hopeless and often destitute, but this program brings a second chance for hope. Cajun Twist has partnered Wellspring Second Chance and NDC (Neighborhood Development Center) to ensure adequate vetting and training for these participants, as well as, access to monetary resources to pursue their dreams of restaurant ownership.

The Project Campaign Launch for this initiative begins March 19, 2020, with the first round of participants putting their training to work in the Fall (September) of 2020. This Initiative is projected to be a pilot that will alter the lives of ex-felons and persons with criminal charges in a way that will impact the Twin Cities and Minnesota as a whole.