Ponderosa Franchising Co. recently opened a new franchised Ponderosa Steakhouse in Elkview, W. Va., the first new domestic unit since the parent company emerged from Chapter 11 bankruptcy in 2009.
Ponderosa Franchising, a subsidiary of Homestyle Dining LLC, said the West Virginia restaurant is the first Ponderosa Steakhouse opened by franchisee TLH Foods LLC, and features an updated “New West” decor.
The restaurant, which covers about 6,720 square feet and offers 212 seats, also features large-scale digital signage, banquet rooms and a wrap-around porch.
“There is a strong demand for a family restaurant in this region,” Tim Hopkins, principal owner of TLH Foods, said in a statement.
The restaurant serves Ponderosa’s entrée lineup of Choice grade sirloin steaks, chicken and seafood, along with a buffet that includes chicken wings; a build-your-own salad bar; a dessert bar that includes cakes, cookies and cobblers; and a sundae bar to appeal to children.
Homestyle Dining LLC emerged in October 2009 from the Chapter 11 bankruptcy court proceedings of Metromedia Steakhouses Co. and three affiliates. The Chapter 11 filing came in 2008, three months after S&A Restaurant Corp., its sister Metromedia Restaurant Group division that operated Bennigan’s and Steak & Ale restaurants, filed for Chapter 7 liquidation.
Homestyle Dining has 200 Ponderosa and Bonanza Steakhouses in the United States, Puerto Rico, Asia and the Middle East.
Last year, Homestyle signed a deal to expand Ponderosa to Jordan.
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