With "Heavyweight" Backing, Shoney's Has Reopened in Acworth

Shoney's to celebrate reopening in Acworth.

Shoney's, "America’s Dinner Table for nearly 70 years," has reopened its Acworth location. The restaurant, located at 1129 GA-92 (Highway 92, exit 277 off of I-75) was demolished and completely rebuilt.  The restaurant quietly opened about a month ago after months of construction and a few delays.  

Shoney's is across the street from Cabela's, a popular outdoor apparel and equipment retailer, and sits between Hardee's and Waffle House.  The restaurant serves breakfast, lunch and dinner.  

The Acworth Shoney’s is owned by former WCW Heavyweight Champion of the World “Big Poppa Pump” Scott Steiner.  Steiner, along with WWE professional wrestler and actor Kevin Nash, will welcome guests and sign autographs at the restaurant's Grand Opening on Tuesday, April 12th.  In addition to the autographs, the restaurant will offer guests complimentary Hot Fudge Cake from 3 to 5 pm.     

The 6,000 square foot restaurant represents a new model for the brand, featuring an updated, contemporary look and feel with a granite bar, stacked stone, and big-screen TVs.  The bar features a variety of cold draft beer selections, several wine options and various other alcoholic beverages.

Out of eleven Yelp reviews received since the restaurant reopened last month, five were one star and two were two star.  Many of the reviewers seemed to have been excited about the opening, but underwhelmed by their actual experiences.   One reviewer who identified herself as an Acworth resident started her review by saying "Was excited to try the NEW Shoney's yesterday for lunch." Her review ended  "I'm not sure we'll attempt to go there again.  Just DISAPPOINTED!  :( " Another Acworth area reviewer started  "AWFUL, AWFUL AWFUL!!!!!" and ended "Please save your money or go somewhere else to eat."

It would be nice to see this restaurant succeed, as I believe the brand still resonates with many.  That being said, additional training is seemingly necessary to ensure that the restaurant leaves a better impression with guests.  They say you never get a second chance at a first impression... the new building gave them a clean slate, now they just need to deliver.   

Shoney's, which as a brand dates from 1947, and as a stand alone restaurant from 1954, was purchased by entrepreneur David Davoudpour and his Atlanta-based Royal Hospitality Group in 2007.  Under its new ownership, the chain, which had previously shuttered dozens of locations around the south, continued to shrink. 

According to online information, the chain had about 300 locations at the time of the sale and today has about 150. Shoney's has thirteen locations in Georgia including a "Shoney's Too," at Sugarloaf Mills in Duluth that opened in 2013, replacing a Chili's Too.

Are you excited at the prospect of having Shoney's reopen in metro Atlanta?  Where would you like to see a Shoney's open next?  What is your favorite memory of Shoney's?

Please share your thoughts below