As Americans Rethink Dining Out, Shoney’s Stands Out with Value and Quality – In-Restaurant, In Experience and At Home
America (RestaurantNews.com) With April Fool’s Day in the rear-view mirror, Shoney’s is issuing a clear and hearty reminder: dining out, real value, quality food, meaningful choice, time-saving To-Go and experiential restaurant differentiation are alive and well at Shoney’s, and the iconic, All-American restaurant brand isn’t joking.
The sirens are loud, and Shoney’s hears them. More than half of Americans – 53% – have dined out less often in the past 12 months to save money on food, according to market research firm Kantar. Shoney’s is louder and confidently grounded in what made it a restaurant icon in the first place.
“At Shoney’s, value and quality are not something we adjust; it’s something we protect. This brand has survived external factors because of our internal promise to show up for people, especially when it matters most,” said Shoney’s Chairman and CEO, Mr. David Davoudpour. “That time is now, and Shoney’s shines with value and quality, things that are different and that matter.” Mr. Davoudpour points to three signature differentiation points:
1) VALUE YOU CAN SEE (AND TRUST) – IN-RESTAURANT`
Shoney’s All You Care to Eat Fresh Food Bar continues to deliver one of the last true abundance experiences in American dining – where variety is real, quality is prioritized, and value is visible. Shoney’s was named a winner in the latest Newsweek Readers’ Choice for Best Buffet Chain. It wasn’t a surprise, as Shoney’s is consistently ranked the best value among family dining chains and praised for its service, menu variety, and diners’ recommendations.
“Shoney’s offers a dining out experience that feels worth it the moment you walk in,” offered Mr. Davoudpour. “People shouldn’t have to second-guess that, yet value doesn’t mean anything if quality is not priority one.”
2) DIFFERENTIATION
Cutting back on dining out doesn’t lower expectations. It raises them. Shoney’s answers with variety that isn’t occasional – it’s built in. Through its Theme Meals program, a staple for participating restaurants since 2024, the Fresh Food Bar becomes something different every day of the week – from Backyard BBQ to Seafood Night to Old Fashioned Sunday Dinner. Mr. Davoudpour added, “This has always been a commitment to making value feel fresh because saving money and enjoying quality food shouldn’t mean settling for sameness.”
3) VALUE THAT SHOWS UP AT YOUR TABLE – FAMILY MEALS TO-GO
And for those choosing to stay in, Shoney’s meets them there – without losing what defines the iconic brand. With its Family Meals To-Go, Shoney’s brings America’s Dinner Table to your dinner table, offering generous, family-sized meals that compete with the cost, time and effort of cooking.
Less prep. Less waste. More time. Same quality. Same value.
Mr. Davoudpour says, “Whether it’s at Shoney’s, America’s Dinner Table, or your own table in America, it’s still Shoney’s, an unforgettable meal for the best value and quality of food every time.”
Concludes Mr. Davoudpour, “Shoney’s didn’t arrive at this approach because of inflation. It’s always been the approach. For nearly 80 years, the brand has stood for something simple: that great quality food, generous portions and genuine hospitality should always be within reach. Right now, that matters more than ever.”
Shoney’s New Look and a promise to keep performing Beyond Expectations
Mr. Davoudpour recently advised his treasured franchisees on how AI will enable them to perform Beyond Expectations through 2030. The brand stewards were presented with a forward-thinking architectural blueprint for Shoney’s new-look restaurant, which is expected to serve as the model for all new and existing locations.
Since acquiring the iconic American eatery in 2007, Mr. Davoudpour has been on a driven and spirited mission to reinvigorate Shoney’s, one of the first and most popular family casual dining concepts in the United States. To return to what Mr. Davoudpour confidently calls Shoney’s “Glory Days,” the brand aims to grow through franchising following an extensive revitalization. Shoney’s is offering franchising opportunities to qualified single and multi-unit candidates to ensure even better days ahead for America’s Dinner Table.
For more than 79 years, Shoney’s has earned industry accolades and is consistently recognized as one of America’s premier family dining restaurants. It is rated the best value among family dining chains and is praised for its service, menu variety, and diners’ recommendations. It was most recently recognized as one of America’s most iconic diner-and-buffet chains.
Inflation may be loud, but Shoney’s answers with quality people can taste, value people can feel, choices people can trust, all reasons to come back or enjoy Shoney’s at home.
About Shoney’s
Shoney’s is headquartered in Nashville and owns 51 restaurants in 12 states. For over 79 years, Shoney’s has earned numerous industry accolades and has consistently been recognized as the premier family dining restaurant. It is praised for offering the best value among family dining chains, as well as for its excellent service, diverse menu, and high diner ratings. It is widely recognized as one of America’s most iconic restaurant chains. Visit Shoneys.com for more information on restaurant hours, locations and special offers. You can also follow Shoney’s on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube.
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