Beloved Restaurant Chain Ground Round to Return From the Dead

Nostalgia is a powerful thing and not all things that are gone stay buried. The once-hugely popular chain Ground Round was all but forgotten by many. But today? There are plans for a brand new opening.

In 1969, Howard Johnson's opened up a bar and grill called the Ground Round in Massachusetts. It became hugely popular, and at its height, had over 200 locations.

Its casual, American, appeal-to-all style menu was a major influence on chain restaurants today, and is probably the reason restaurants like TGI Friday's and Chili's exist.

Here's something adorable: Married couple Nachi and Joseph Shea, who have never owned a restaurant before, have acquired the rights to Ground Round. After growing up with so many fond memories of the place, they're excited to bring a new one to life.

Though 215 locations were running in the '80s when it was at its most popular, Ground Round dwindled down to only four independently-owned locations: three in North Dakota (Bismarck, Minot, and Grand Forks), and one in Perrysburg, Ohio.

The Sheas are expecting the fifth Ground Round to open some time in January in their hometown of Shrewsbury, Massachusetts, where they originally fell in love with Ground Round.

This isn't the first blast from the past to happen lately. Quite a few restaurant chains are mounting a comeback after filing for bankruptcy. There have been planned resurrections for Sweet Tomatoes, Steak & Ale, and even my absolute favorite childhood spot, Koo Koo Roo.

What's dead doesn't stay dead long. Happy spooky season!

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