Shoney’s, the iconic, all-American brand, has signed a franchise agreement to bring a new Shoney’s to Fultondale by summer of 2017. Local entrepreneur Frank Hall of Big H LLC will open the new Shoney’s at 1234 Boots Blvd. in Fultondale and plans on adding four more throughout Birmingham by 2022. Groundbreaking on the first location will take place on May 2 at 9:00 a.m., with Fultondale Mayor, Jim Lowery, and City Council members in attendance.
Over the past 20 years, Hall has dedicated his professional career to becoming a successful restaurant executive. His work experience began as a dishwasher in 1996 and has since moved up the corporate ladder to Chief Operating Officer for Wintzell’s Oyster House.
“Thanks to the visionary leadership of Fultondale Mayor Jim Lowery, all of this has been made possible. Mayor Lowery had the vision to bring Shoney’s to Fultondale, which was the catalyst for my involvement. Mayor Lowery and the City Council have been incredibly supportive. We’re thrilled to partner with Shoney’s to expand this iconic brand into northern Birmingham,” says Hall. “Shoney’s rejuvenated expansion across the country provided us with the right opportunity at the right time here in Fultondale. We’re excited to bring Shoney’s quality and value-driven food to this great community and are confident that people will love and embrace the new Shoney’s.”
Since 1947, Shoney’s has been a family dining staple known as a place to celebrate the everyday victories and special moments in life while enjoying traditional American dishes with friends and family. In recent years, Shoney’s has undergone an extensive brand rejuvenation strategy led by CEO, David Davoudpour, who is on a spirited mission to revive and reinvigorate Shoney’s family-friendly, southern style restaurants. Some of the more prominent changes to the concept include the introduction of the V-2020 prototype, implementation of a full-service beverage bar and the release of an enhanced menu and fresh food bar. The menu includes fresh, never frozen ground beef and chicken and innovative dishes that will attract a new generation of Shoney’s fans, while still appealing to guests who have eaten at the restaurant for decades. The company has also pledged to serve only cage-free eggs by 2025.
Aside from changes to the menu and the addition of a full beverage bar, new and existing restaurants are being built or renovated with a new design focused on modern and warm aesthetics, and Fultondale is no exception. It will have a contemporary, warm and inviting space that still pays homage to the brand’s rich heritage. The restaurant will also have a large outdoor patio that can be enclosed by sliding and garage-style glass walls for multi-seasonal use.
“We have made significant changes over the years to bring Shoney’s back to its glory days.” says Davoudpour. “Our guests are looking for fresh quality food at a great value with friendly service and we are now confidently ready to grow through franchising. We are thrilled to have Mr. Hall and his team as our partners to bring this great brand back to the Birmingham market.”
In addition to growing in Birmingham, Shoney’s is in the midst of a national franchise expansion effort, expecting 10 new locations to open in 2017. Shoney’s has single and multi-unit franchise opportunities available in Alabama, the Southeast and throughout the United States. The brand also has its sights set on international expansion in Mexico, Canada and the Caribbean and other International regions.
