Plano, Texas-based Homestyle Dining LLC, which owns, operates and franchises the Ponderosa Steakhouse, Bonanza Steak & BBQ and Bo's Steak & Grill brands, has announced that longtime franchisee, The Sterling Group, opened the first Ponderosa Grill in Dubai.
Ponderosa Grill is positioned as a more upscale, full-service version of Homestyle's legacy brand, Ponderosa Steakhouse.
The new unit, located in the Jumeriah-3 area of Dubai, features menu enhancements and design upgrades that were introduced in late 2013 as part of a refresh and culinary revitalization of the 50-year-old Ponderosa Steakhouse brand. To date, more than 50 percent of the 150 Ponderosa Steakhouse restaurants in the United States have undergone the refresh, which includes expanded menu offerings on the food bar and across the entire entrée line-up, including more healthy options, plus enhanced interiors to appeal to a younger demographic.
The menu at the new Ponderosa Grill in Dubai incorporates Ponderosa standards, plus food items indigenous to the region, such as halal beef, tabouleh, muthable, fathoush and ummali.
This is the fourth Ponderosa location in Dubai and the eighth in the United Arab Emirates. The Sterling Group is also preparing to open what will be the world's largest Ponderosa Steakhouse in Doha later this year. That operation will seat 675 guests.