PLANO Texas Bennigan's Grill & Bar, the 310-unit casual-dining division of Metromedia Restaurant Group, plans to debut a sports-themed brand extension called Bennigan's Sport later this month.
The conversion of an existing 6,500-square-foot Bennigan's location in the Dallas suburb of Addison is expected to open May 20, according to Clay Dover, executive vice president and chief concept officer for MRG. The unit has been closed for the renovations.
Dover said Bennigan's is "trying to establish a new brand with major changes without walking away from our company's heritage." MRG, based here, currently has Tavern concepts in Fort Worth, Southlake and Plano, Dover said
While the company continues to update existing units, Dover said the Sport debut marks a total makeover. He says the menu will have a number of "interactive" food items such as buffalo wings and Irish-ale queso as well as new dishes such as a Thai chicken salad and a chipotle cheeseburger.
"We're going to have a wood-burning oven for the first time, so we'll do pizzas," Dover said. "We don't intend to be a pizza place, but the made-to-order piece will be there."
Dover said the per-person check at Bennigan's Sport is expected to increase about $1.75, from $12.75 at Bennigan's Grill to about $14 or $15. "We're anticipating an increase in beverage and appetizer sales," he said.