Tom Sacco, President & CEO of Homestyle Dining LLC (Ponderosa franchisor),
Ryan Barton, Director of Operations (Ponderosa franchisee).
Steak lovers in Anderson, Indiana, have much reason to celebrate as a new Ponderosa Steakhouse has opened its doors, introducing an updated version of the longtime favorite dining and gathering spot. The new restaurant features an enhanced menu, with expanded offerings on the food bar and across the entrée line-up, and a refreshed interior brightened with Ponderosa’s New Vision graphics, color scheme, lighting, digital menu boards and food bar design.
The grand opening of the restaurant, which is located at 2006 South Scatterfield Road in Anderson, included a ribbon cutting ceremony with the franchise owner, Michael Rees, chairman, CMR Partners, which owns and operates seven additional Ponderosa Steakhouse restaurants in Indiana. Local dignitaries at the ceremony included Kevin S. Smith, Mayor of Anderson, and Kyle Morie, the president of the local Chamber of Commerce.
According to Tom Sacco, CEO of Homestyle Dining and the parent company of Ponderosa Steakhouse, the new menu and interior refresh comes as Ponderosa celebrates its 50th anniversary this year.
“Ponderosa Steakhouse has been at the heart of dining in our country for five decades, offering guests a comfortable place to enjoy their favorite foods with great value,” said Sacco. “The new Ponderosa in Anderson, Indiana, is a shining example of our refresh program featuring a host of culinary upgrades across the entire menu and enhanced interiors, all designed to appeal to a younger demographic without alienating our loyal fans. At the refreshed restaurants, we’re already seeing double-digit increases.”
In late 2013, as Ponderosa Steakhouse was approaching its 50-year milestone, the company embarked on a systemwide revitalization program. Today, approximately 50 percent of the chain’s restaurants have incorporated the enhancements, with more expected to do so in the next few years. Additionally, Ponderosa Steakhouse continues to expand internationally, opening its first location in Cairo, Egypt, and a eighth restaurant in the U.A.E. Plans are underway to open more international locations, including Europe and Latin America.
Plano, Texas-based Homestyle Dining LLC owns, operates and franchises family-focused restaurants throughout the United States and internationally under the Ponderosa Steakhouse and Bonanza Steakhouse brands. Guests enjoy flame-grilled steaks and entrees along with a high-quality buffet featuring an endless selection of salads, soups, appetizers, vegetables, and desserts at affordable prices. Homestyle Dining recently introduced Bo’s Steak & Grill, the first, fresh-casual American steakhouse restaurant concept that offers its guests a truly unique experience around a rich, flavorful and creative menu at fast casual pricing in an eclectic, comfortable environment where guests order at the counter yet receive a full-service dining experience at their table. The first Bo’s Steak & Grill opened in Lindale, Tex., in May 2014, with plans to open up to 250 restaurants in the next five years.