RISE - Menu Monitor

Ponderosa/Bonanza
Headquarters
6500 International Pkwy. Suite 1000, Plano, Texas 75093 USA
Tel: (972)588-5000 Fax: (972)588-5973
www.ponderosasteakhouses.com
Ownership: Private
Segment: Limited Service Steak
System Characteristics 2006 2005 2004
U.S. Systemwide Sales ($000) 406,000 440,000 471,600
Company-owned ($000) 96,000 98,000 97,200
Franchised ($000) 310,000 342,000 374,400
U.S. Number of Units 312 307 364
Company-owned 75 80 82
Franchised 237 227 282
International Sales ($000) 81,000 80,000 82,100
International Units 60 60 63
Average Sales/Unit ($000) 1,300 1,315 1,260
Concept Positioning |
Metromedia Restaurant Group, owner of Bennigan’s and Steak & Ale, operates a midscale steakhouse chain under two
different brands: Ponderosa and Bonanza. Both are family-oriented restaurants known for their flame-grilled steak, chicken
and seafood dinners. Service is buffet style for accessory items, with a waitress bringing hot entrées to the table after they are
cooked.
An average freestanding unit has about 5,000-6,000 sq. ft. with seating for 175-200 patrons. The décor combines brass and
light oak to give the interiors a modern, appealing look with a contemporary country feel.
Ponderosa began as a single steakhouse in Kokomo, IN, in 1965. The first Bonanza restaurant opened in 1963. Asher
Edelman bought Ponderosa in 1987 and sold it to Metromedia in 1988. A year later, Metromedia acquired Bonanza as part of
its $83 million purchase of USA Corps from the founding Wyly brothers. In early 1997, Metromedia announced that it would
consolidate its two steakhouse brands as a single business, with both the Ponderosa and Bonanza brand names continuing to
be used. In 2003, Metromedia entered a strategic partnership with Apex Restaurant Group, which purchased a significant
minority stake and assumed management of day-to-day operations for all restaurant brands.
Menu Positioning |
Ponderosa and Bonanza feature a variety of lunch and dinner buffets and signature steaks, including the 6-oz. sirloin, 1-lb. T-
bone and 10-oz. ribeye. Entrées include Chicken Monterey, grilled chicken, fried fish and the Seafood Platter. The all-you-caneat
buffet features unlimited soup and salad, an assortment of entrées and a sundae bar with Baker's Nook desserts. Menu
prices range from $.99-$42.98 and checks average $12.60.
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