Arooga’s is taking its game to New England.
Arooga’s Grill House & Sports Bar, the Harrisburg-based, full-service casual restaurant and bar with nine locations in Central Pennsylvania, announced it has entered into a franchise agreement with The Mohegan Tribe that will nearly triple the brand’s overall footprint. The deal calls for a minimum of 15 restaurants in the New England market over the next five years.
“We are excited to announce this agreement with the Mohegan Tribe,” says Keith Swade, franchise development for Arooga’s. “They are a world class organization and a leader in the hospitality and gaming industry. We could not ask for a better partner to develop the New England market for Arooga's."
Construction on the brand’s first New England area restaurant will occur this summer adjacent to the Mohegan Sun in Uncasville, Connecticut, which is one of the world’s most successful casinos, with more than $1.2 billion in annual revenue.
“We are thrilled to bring this incredible sports bar concept to the New England area,” said Kevin Brown, chairman of the Mohegan Tribe. “Arooga’s reputation for being the next great restaurant franchise is well-earned and we are privileged and pleased to have them as an important part of our organization.”
“The first location will be like no other restaurant and sports bar this region of the country has ever seen,” said Michael Chaney, managing creative director of Cincinnati-based FRCH Design Worldwide, whose firm is designing the restaurant. “We are bringing a design that represents the ‘best of the best’ of the current Arooga’s locations.”
Arooga’s at the Mohegan Sun will be a 9,000-square-foot restaurant with separate restaurant and bar areas, a large outdoor deck for dining, and fire pits for social gathering. It will feature more than 100 big screen televisions, 40 domestic and craft beers on draft, and Arooga’s food.
“This is an exciting time for Arooga’s,” says Gary Huether Jr., president and co-founder of Arooga’s. “Even from our humble beginnings, we knew we were building a world-class sports bar and restaurant that would thrill guests everywhere. We can’t wait to bring the Arooga’s brand to the greater New England area.”
“We are thrilled to partner with Mohegan to expand into the New England market, which presents a tremendous opportunity for growth,” says Mike Murphy, Arooga’s co-founder. “We also feel that this is the perfect partnership to connect with a market that has such passion and pride for their history in sports legacies.”
