Restaurant & QSR Expansion Report

Staffs Up & Revitalizing the Brands…….

During the past few years, steakhouse restaurant group Homestyle Dining LLC has embarked on the revitalization of its Ponderosa Steakhouse brand, repositioning of its Bonanza Steakhouse concept into the full-service Bonanza Steak & BBQ, and launched the fast-casual steakhouse concept, Bo’s Steak & Grill. “2014 was a remarkable year for Homestyle Dining as we made significant progress achieving our vision to become America’s destination for great steak,” said CEO Tom Sacco. “Fifty years ago, our legacy brands, Ponderosa and Bonanza Steakhouse, were pioneers in the family dining and buffet category, and now we’ve updated our Ponderosa brand into the 21st Century without losing familiarity. We’ve completely repositioned Bonanza to become the full-service Bonanza Steak & BBQ and a leader in the casual dining steakhouse segment, and we’ve introduced an entirely new dining concept with Bo’s Steak & Grill, America’s first fast-casual steakhouse moving the steakhouse industry ahead by quantum leaps and bounds. All three concepts are winning the hearts and pocketbooks of our guests and we look forward to continued growth through innovation in 2015 and beyond.”
During 2014, the Ponderosa Steakhouse family dining and buffet concept saw more than 50 percent of the 150 Ponderosa restaurants across the United States undergoing an upgrade with expanded menu offerings on the food bar and across the entire entrée line-up. Interiors received enhancements, brightened with a new color scheme, lighting, graphics, menu boards and food bar design. Upgraded restaurants are already realizing double-digit increases in sales and guest counts. The chain also continued its international expansion, opening its first location in Cairo, Egypt, and a eighth restaurant in the U.A.E. and plans are underway to open more international locations, including Europe and Latin America.
The Bonanza Steakhouse brand is transforming into a modern, full-service concept called Bonanza Steak & BBQ, celebrating its American steakhouse heritage with an updated menu that includes authentic, Southern-style BBQ offerings. The first Bonanza Steak & BBQ opening in Eureka, Missouri in the first half of 2015, will incorporate an interior redesign with modern elements built around a butcher house theme.
Reported to be as the country’s first, fast-casual steakhouse, Homestyle opened the first Bo’s Steak & Grill in May 2014 in Lindale, Texas. Guests order at a counter, yet receive full-service attention tableside. The new format includes a farm-fresh, build-your-own salad bar along with signature cocktails, local wine, craft beer and specialty Margaritas. Homestyle Dining expects will announce its first Bo’s franchisee in the first quarter of 2015.
The company has strengthened its management team for future growth and innovation. After more than 20 years with hospitality company and Ponderosa franchisee CMR Partners LLP, Brian Ripley was retained as CFO.  Ray Masters, an industry veteran of more than three decades, joined the company as Vice President, Purchasing, Distribution and Quality Assurance. Jason Head joins Homestyle Dining as General Counsel bringing more than 14 years of experience working with national franchise and technology companies and non-profit organizations and Rick Kirk has been retained as Vice President, Company Operations after senior roles with Buffet, Inc., where he rose to Executive Vice President of Special Projects and Divisional Vice President of Operations. Brian Crawford joined Homestyle Dining as Corporate Executive Chef and is responsible for the ideation and menu offerings at the three restaurant brands And in December, Jill Gouge-Laird joined Homestyle Dining as its Vice President of Marketing to lead the company’s branding, marketing, advertising, and communications programs.

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