What’s cooking? This beloved family dining chain that you thought was gone forever made a comeback!
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In a world where the only constant is change, there's something deeply comforting about the familiar. We all have our favorite things that we also return to–especially when it comes to our food choices.
Unfortunately, many dining chains have started to close all around the country, which continues to be a loss of all diners out there.
Luckily, the return of this beloved family dining chain is like reuniting with an old friend. That's why the news of its revival is stirring up a hearty serving of nostalgia across the nation.
The Ground Round, a name that once conjured images of family dinners, Bingo the Clown, and peanut shells crunching underfoot, is poised to make a triumphant return.
The chain, which had all but vanished from the American dining landscape, is set to open a brand-new location in Shrewsbury, Massachusetts. This is not just a reopening; it's a rebirth of a classic American institution.
The Ground Round's journey is a tale of American entrepreneurship and the enduring love for casual dining.
Founded in 1969, the chain was a pioneer in the casual dining scene, growing to more than 200 locations and becoming a staple for American families. Its decline was a slow burn, as it struggled to keep up with rivals such as Chili’s and Applebee’s, and changing consumer tastes, eventually filing for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in 2004.
Although, this isn’t the first try to revive the beloved chain. The owners tried out various spinoff restaurant ideas, some of which included a beer and sports theme, but these didn’t succeed as well as they had hoped.
Despite the odds, Joseph Shea and his wife, Nachi Shea, have taken up the mantle to bring The Ground Round back to life. Joseph has been a fan of the chain for so long, even trying (and failing) to become a franchisee in the past.
One day, The Ground Round’s Chief Financial Officer reached out to Shea to let him know that they were planning to close down operations and were willing to sell their trademarks.
After purchasing the chain's intellectual property rights, they are now developing a location that promises to blend the cherished memories of the past with the expectations of today's diners.
The Ground Round’s construction is already in progress and is expected to be up and running again by January.
The new Shrewsbury location is not just a carbon copy of the past. While it will serve up classic Ground Round favorites like baby back ribs and blackened chicken Alfredo, it will also cater to contemporary tastes and dietary concerns.
Popcorn, which replaced the iconic peanuts due to allergy concerns, will be a feature, nodding to the chain's history while acknowledging modern health considerations.
Joseph Shea's vision goes beyond mere food; it's about recreating an experience that resonates with those who remember the chain fondly and introducing it to a new generation.
“We will be blending beloved parts of the past with modern aspects, with the customer experience being at the forefront of all decisions,”Shea stated.
While the Sheas are currently focused on the Shrewsbury restaurant, the future could hold more Ground Round locations.
Joseph Shea has expressed openness to franchising down the line, which could mean that this iconic dining experience will once again be a widespread phenomenon.
Source: NBC10 Boston / Youtube.
While on the subject of new beginnings, we should also recognize the goodbyes we have to make this year. Several dining chains are closing down before we welcome another year. You can read more about it in this story here.
Do you have fond memories of The Ground Round? What dishes do you hope will make a comeback on the menu? Are there other bygone restaurants you wish would return? Share your thoughts and stories with us in the comments below!
Unfortunately, many dining chains have started to close all around the country, which continues to be a loss of all diners out there.
Luckily, the return of this beloved family dining chain is like reuniting with an old friend. That's why the news of its revival is stirring up a hearty serving of nostalgia across the nation.
The Ground Round, a name that once conjured images of family dinners, Bingo the Clown, and peanut shells crunching underfoot, is poised to make a triumphant return.
The chain, which had all but vanished from the American dining landscape, is set to open a brand-new location in Shrewsbury, Massachusetts. This is not just a reopening; it's a rebirth of a classic American institution.
The Ground Round's journey is a tale of American entrepreneurship and the enduring love for casual dining.
An iconic family dining chain, The Ground Round, is making a comeback by opening a new location in Shrewsbury, Mass. Image source: shapesgsx via Threads.
Founded in 1969, the chain was a pioneer in the casual dining scene, growing to more than 200 locations and becoming a staple for American families. Its decline was a slow burn, as it struggled to keep up with rivals such as Chili’s and Applebee’s, and changing consumer tastes, eventually filing for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in 2004.
Although, this isn’t the first try to revive the beloved chain. The owners tried out various spinoff restaurant ideas, some of which included a beer and sports theme, but these didn’t succeed as well as they had hoped.
Despite the odds, Joseph Shea and his wife, Nachi Shea, have taken up the mantle to bring The Ground Round back to life. Joseph has been a fan of the chain for so long, even trying (and failing) to become a franchisee in the past.
One day, The Ground Round’s Chief Financial Officer reached out to Shea to let him know that they were planning to close down operations and were willing to sell their trademarks.
After purchasing the chain's intellectual property rights, they are now developing a location that promises to blend the cherished memories of the past with the expectations of today's diners.
The Ground Round’s construction is already in progress and is expected to be up and running again by January.
The new Shrewsbury location is not just a carbon copy of the past. While it will serve up classic Ground Round favorites like baby back ribs and blackened chicken Alfredo, it will also cater to contemporary tastes and dietary concerns.
Popcorn, which replaced the iconic peanuts due to allergy concerns, will be a feature, nodding to the chain's history while acknowledging modern health considerations.
Joseph Shea's vision goes beyond mere food; it's about recreating an experience that resonates with those who remember the chain fondly and introducing it to a new generation.
“We will be blending beloved parts of the past with modern aspects, with the customer experience being at the forefront of all decisions,”Shea stated.
While the Sheas are currently focused on the Shrewsbury restaurant, the future could hold more Ground Round locations.
Joseph Shea has expressed openness to franchising down the line, which could mean that this iconic dining experience will once again be a widespread phenomenon.
Source: NBC10 Boston / Youtube.
While on the subject of new beginnings, we should also recognize the goodbyes we have to make this year. Several dining chains are closing down before we welcome another year. You can read more about it in this story here.
Do you have fond memories of The Ground Round? What dishes do you hope will make a comeback on the menu? Are there other bygone restaurants you wish would return? Share your thoughts and stories with us in the comments below!
