Homestyle Dining LLC, parent company of the Bonanza and Ponderosa steakhouse brands, is gearing up to debut its new Bonanza Steak & BBQ concept, part of the company's multifaceted strategy to freshen its appeal to a broader, younger demographic.
The new casual dining concept celebrates Bonanza's American steakhouse heritage but modernizes it with an updated menu, an interior redesign around a "butcher house" theme and full-service dining.
"The old Bonanza Steakhouse designs were at one time very representative of the spirit of America and American family dining," said Tom Sacco, CEO. "We didn't want to lose that appeal but knew that we needed to update our design elements to appeal to a changing demographic with more modern elements that emphasized our refreshed menu."
Gone are design elements that relate to the Bonanza TV show and the Old West, but the company kept select features that speak to the concept's enduring legacy. New wall treatments, graphics, lighting and signage carry the butcher-house aesthetic, while old Bonanza signs speak to the legacy of one of America's oldest steakhouse brands.
The first Bonanza Steak & BBQ is scheduled to open in Eureka, Mo., by the end of 2014. The company plans to franchise 100 locations during the next five years.