NASHVILLE Tenn. O’Charley’s Restaurants introduced a value deal Monday that offers two full-sized entrees for $14.99 at participating restaurants of the 245-unit chain.
The promotion gives customers a choice of six new items developed specifically for the 2 for $14.99 deal, O'Charley's said. The new dishes include meatballs and spaghetti served with toasted garlic bread; Cajun shrimp and grits; hand-battered fish and chips; grilled Baja chicken served with black beans and rice pilaf; a Wild West Burger topped with Monterey Jack cheese, bacon, fried onions and a Cajun-horseradish sauce and served with seasoned fries; and the Classic Cuban sandwich, which features sliced pork loin topped with Swiss cheese and pickles on ciabatta bread and served with seasoned fries.
O'Charley's joins other casual-dining chains, including Chili's and Applebee's, using bundled meal deals to reverse falling customer traffic amid the economic downturn.
“Our timing couldn’t be better,” said Jeff Warne, president and chief executive of O’Charley’s Inc., which is also parent of the 116-unit Ninety Nine Restaurants and 10-unit Stoney River Legendary Steaks brands. “The current economic challenges and heightened awareness by guests to find the most value for their money are a perfect fit for these innovative menu items that incorporate three key elements: exciting, new, craveable flavors, high guest satisfaction and real value.”
O’Charley’s Inc. has experienced steep declines in traffic at all three of its brands in recent months, which has caused the company to employ such cost-cutting methods as layoffs, salary freezes and a redesigned hourly benefits program. The company also has cut menu prices at all of its chains.
The 2 for $14.99 promotion marks the latest step in Warne's plan to turnaround O’Charley’s Inc. since he was promoted to chief executive last month.
The only restaurants not participating in the promotion are the franchised or joint-venture O’Charley’s stores in Orlando, Fla.; Lake Charles, La.; Niles and Boardman, Ohio; Erie, Pa.; and Nashville International Airport.
Contact Elissa Elan at [email protected].