Shoney’s is giving its signature food bar a different culinary focus daily as part of the effort to restore what owner David Davoudpour calls the family-dining brand’s “glory days.”
The theme of the buffet changes by the day of the week. Monday, for instance, is backyard barbecue day, with a spotlight on such items as barbecue ribs and chicken, along with corn on the cob, baked beans and other sides associated with that sort of fare.
The focus shifts on Tuesday to Mexican food, with the bar showcasing ground beef for tacos and chicken for fajitas.
Wednesday’s theme is “brinner,” with traditional breakfast items like pancakes offered as dinner selections. The spotlight on Thursdays is on Italian dinners like chicken parmigiana and lasagna.
Friday is Surf to Table day, with selections like clam strips, fried oysters, shrimp and grits and baked fish.
The next day, steak and many of its usual accompaniments are added to the mix for Surf ‘n Turf Saturdays.
The emphasis shifts on Sunday to comfort foods like meatloaf, fried chicken and a turkey platter.
The chain’s announcement of the new rotating menu did not mention if the price of the bar changes daily as well. The prices are not revealed on Shoney’s online to-go and delivery menu.
Davoudpour called the initiative “a significant step forward in enhancing our Fresh Food Bar” and noted that it’s part of the brand’s effort to meet customers’ demand for value.
“It’s an exciting game-changer,” he said in a statement.
Shoney’s, once one of the mid-priced restaurant market’s dominant brands, has shrunk to about 60 stores in 14 states. Its food bar is a signature of the concept.
Many of the heritage brands in the family-dining market are significantly revamping their menus in hopes of reigniting sales and traffic. Many of those efforts aim to showcase the host chain’s bargains. Denny’s, for instance, is touting the $5.99 price of its signature Grand Slam breakfast platter. Cracker Barrel Old Country Stores is featuring about 20 new items in a test that ends in early August.
The sector has been struggling to hold onto customers, who can indulge in a faster and less expensive breakfast at many fast-food outlets. Competition from fast-casual brands has intensified the struggle to draw lunch customers, while casual-dining brands siphon off patrons at dinner.
Shoney’s, founded some 77 years ago, is one of the older concepts in the segment.
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