Legendary chain marks return to Florida with October 21st grand opening
More than four years have passed since the World Famous Monte Cristo has been served in the state of Florida. But that will soon change, as the iconic Bennigan’s restaurant chain – beloved worldwide for its friendly Irish hospitality, craveable chef-driven food and innovative drinks – is making a major comeback.
The newest Bennigan’s will officially open its doors on Monday, October 21st, in the Panama City Mall at 2100 Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. Its location in one of Panama City’s busiest corridors has already generated a great deal of buzz as the restaurant prepares for its Legendary opening.
“I’ve always thought Bennigan’s was an iconic brand; so when I heard that Bennigan’s was back, I just knew it was the right concept at the right time and a perfect fit for what I’ve been looking for,” said David Hollinger, franchise owner of the Panama City restaurant. “I spent 12 years in the restaurant industry earlier in my career and I’ve always wanted to get back to it because I have a passion for the business. Hey, for anyone that feels the same way, come to Panama City and I’ll show you why Bennigan’s is making history again and why I bleed Bennigan’s green.”
The Panama City Mall restaurant, which will add nearly 100 jobs to the local economy, offers 16 beers on tap, 12 HD TVs throughout the facility and a climate-controlled outdoor patio with a fire pit that can double as a VIP meeting room. In addition to the World Famous Monte Cristo, the menu features such traditional Bennigan’s favorites as its Oh, Baby™ Back Ribs, the Turkey O’Toole, the Big Irish double decker hamburger and a wide assortment of recently introduced specialty drinks.
“David and Deanna have impressed my team and me since day one, and I am convinced that Panama City Mall will be one of our flagship locations,” said Paul Mangiamele, Bennigan’s President and CEO. “The passion they have for the brand and their commitment to providing Legendary guest service is infectious. They’ve assembled an excellent management team led by General Manager Steve Peacock that truly ‘bleeds green,’ and that’s really exciting news for the people of northern Florida that have been eagerly awaiting the return of one of their favorite brands.”
Now nearly a 100-unit company, Bennigan’s has experienced extensive domestic and international expansion over the past two-and-a-half years. Since the end of 2012, new franchise restaurants have been opened in Clarksburg, MD; Jonesboro, AR; Fort Worth, TX; Saddle Brook, NJ; Tysons Corner, VA; Veracruz, Mexico; Larnaca, Cyprus; and Dubai, UAE.
Earlier this month, the company executed a master franchise agreement to open 50 Bennigan’s restaurants on the Indian subcontinent. The first of these locations is expected to open in Spring 2014 in Mumbai.
Bennigan’s Franchising Company has agreements in place to develop more than 80 additional restaurants in Florida, Louisiana, Michigan, Minnesota, New Jersey, Tennessee, Texas and Virginia; and internationally in Dubai, Mexico, Central America, Cyprus and Korea at US Army Base Camp Humphreys. The growth momentum will continue with grand openings slated for Melbourne, FL; Pampa and Houston, TX; Fayetteville, TN; Panama; and a third Dubai restaurant in the next several months.
The Panama City Mall restaurant will be open from 11:00 AM to 11:00 PM Sunday through Thursday, and until 12:00 Midnight Friday and Saturday.
ABOUT BENNIGAN’S
Bennigan’s is a high-energy neighborhood restaurant and tavern that is redefining casual dining. With chef-driven food, innovative drinks and warm, friendly Irish Hospitality, this Legendary brand delivers memorable dining experiences to every guest, every meal, every day. Every member of the team “bleeds green” and demonstrates a 25/8 focus to support its franchise community. The company’s revolutionary comeback has introduced a new generation of Bennigan’s that reflects the brand’s history and pays respect to its rich heritage. Bennigan’s focus on reinvention, flexible prototypes,innovative food, Legendary service and other sales-generating initiatives has resulted in explosive growth both domestically and internationally. For more information, visit www.bennigans.com.
