Bonanza Steak & BBQ, a new modern, full-service casual steakhouse concept developed by Homestyle Dining that opened to rave reviews in Eureka, Missouri, in November 2015, has signed its first franchisee with plans to open in Seymour, Indiana, in May 2016. Mike Everhart, who has been involved with Ponderosa Steakhouse for more than 20 years, owns three Ponderosa Steakhouse restaurants in and around the Louisville, Kentucky, and the Southern Indiana area. Homestyle Dining also owns and operates the legacy Ponderosa Steakhouse and Bonanza Steakhouse brands, as well as Cole’s Backyard Grill, a new fast-casual burger, steak, and salad bar concept that will also grow through franchising.
Everhart was the recipient of Homestyle Dining’s U.S. Franchise Operator of the Year award in 2014, based on exemplary operations and enduring community support involvement. Everhart serves as a vice president on the franchise association board, and is the co-chairman of the operations committee.
He recently became an area developer for the southern part of Indiana. Everhart plans to open and franchise additional Bonanza Steak & BBQ and Ponderosa Steakhouse restaurants in his area developer territory in coming years. Everhart’s first Bonanza Steak & BBQ will be situated just off Interstate 65 in Seymour, which is 50 miles north of Louisville.
Bonanza Steak & BBQ was designed to celebrate the rich heritage of the iconic Bonanza Steakhouse brand with an updated and elevated menu featuring steaks, pork, chicken, and seafood that are grilled to perfection, a new selection of authentic, slow-smoked BBQ entrees, and a fresh, farm-to-table salad bar, at prices the American family can afford.
To reflect the restaurant’s focus on fresh and flavorful ingredients and 50-plus years of culinary expertise, the interiors have been designed around a retro-butcher shop theme.
“When we opened Bonanza Steak & BBQ late last year, we received an incredibly warm reception from the local community, validating our belief in the successful future of our new concept,” says Tom Sacco, CEO, Homestyle Dining LLC. “Mike Everhart is an experienced, high quality, restaurant operator with a proven track record in our company. We are delighted that he has chosen to support our direction for the future of Bonanza Steak & BBQ by franchising our newest concept.”
