OUR STORY
Carl Milam opens Sushi Neko.
Sushi Neko
Carl Milam buys iconic Will Rogers Theatre building.
Will Rogers Theatre
Will's Coffee and Will Rogers Theatre open.
Will Rogers Theatre
Musashi's Japanese Steakhouse opens.
Musashi's
Kurt Fleischfresser becomes Food & Beverage Director
Chef Fleischfresser
Will's Coffee is renovated to The Lobby Bar & Cafe.
The Lobby Bar & Cafe
The Coach House merges with Western Concepts Restaurant Group.
The Coach House
The Tasting Room is completed.
The Tasting Room
The Coach House re-opens as The Hutch on Avondale.
The Hutch
Carl Milam
PRESIDENT & FOUNDER
Carl Milam is the President and Founder of Western Concepts Restaurant Group, LLC, which operates Sushi Neko, Musashi's Japanese Steakhouse, The Lobby Café & Bar, The Tasting Room, Will Roger's Theater and The Hutch on Avondale.
With a firm background in financial planning, Milam knew he was making an investment in Western Avenue when in 1997 he opened a new restaurant concept, Sushi Neko. At the time, that portion of Western Avenue was floundering.
But not only did Sushi Neko thrive, it’s success soon brought about the opening of Musashi’s in 2002 right across the street. Not long afterward came The Will Rogers Theatre, The Lobby Café & Bar and The Tasting Room.
All of these concepts are housed in the area near 43rd and Western in Oklahoma City. And in 2009, Western Concepts partnered with famed Chef Kurt Fleischfresser, adding The Coach House to the Western Concepts Family of Restaurants.
Currently, Milam serves on the board of the Will Rogers Memorial Foundation as well as the Western Avenue Association, an organization dedicated to the growth and sustainability of Western Avenue as one of Oklahoma City’s flourishing districts.
Kurt
Fleischfresser
FOOD & BEVERAGE DIRECTOR
At just 20 years old, Chef Kurt Fleischfresser launched his culinary journey at Le Vichyssoise in Chicago under Chef Bernard Cretier. From there, he honed his craft in elite kitchens across the country — including The French Room in Dallas, Enjolie in the Mandalay Four Seasons, Vincent’s in Phoenix, and La Champagne in Scottsdale.
In 1988, Kurt was invited to lead the kitchen at The Coach House in Oklahoma. He and his partner expanded into some of the state’s most beloved dining concepts (The Metro Wine Bar & Bistro, Ground Floor Café, Iguana Lounge, Earl’s Rib Palace, and more).
He became full owner of The Coach House in 2004, and in 2009 merged his vision with Carl Milam’s, joining Western Concepts Restaurant Group.
Over the years, Chef Kurt has earned national acclaim — invited twice to the James Beard House, a two-time finalist in the American Culinary Gold Cup (the U.S. qualifier for the Bocuse d’Or), Oklahoma’s “Taste of Elegance” award winner, and recipient of the Médaille de Mérite from L’Académie de Gastronomie Brillat-Savarin for his dedication to culinary education.
In 2025, he was honored as an inaugural inductee into the Oklahoma Hospitality
Hall of Fame, celebrating his lifetime contributions to the state’s food and hospitality industry.
Today, Chef Kurt continues to lead and inspire — shaping menus, mentoring talent, and raising the standard of dining across Oklahoma City’s Western Concepts venues.