Bennigan’s Sets Sights On California

Dallas-based Bennigan’s has opened the first of what it says will be 100 stores in California. The chain started its Golden State rollout in Santa Clara, and units in Fremont and San Jose are under way. The expansion will include outlets of Bennigan’s and its sister brand, Steak and Ale, as well as a concept called Bennigan’s on the Fly, designed for airports and other non-traditional eatery spaces. Bennigan’s parent company Legendary Restaurant Brands, led by CEO Paul Mangiamele, has executed a master development agreement with Narender Taneja, the Bennigan’s Santa Clara franchisee, to lead the brand’s California expansion. The new unit reworks the chain’s prototype, shrinking it from 8,000 sq. ft. to a more streamlined 5,000 sq. ft. Bennigan’s currently operates 23 domestic and 39 international locations in eight other countries.