By SARAH CAMPBELL
Leader staff writer
Denny’s — the 24-hour “America’s Diner” family-friendly restaurant chain known for serving up comfort food at affordable prices — is coming to Sherwood, where the Zone Mart Phillips 66 gas station sits at Wildwood Avenue and Warden Road.
Its owner, Tom Drinkwine, couldn’t be reached for comment this week because he’s on vacation.
According to the chain’s website, the total estimated initial investment expected from franchisees is $1.12 million to $2.6 million.
Barry Sellers, the city’s economic developer, said Drinkwine had allowed him to make this announcement but that few details are known or can be released at this time, including a date or timeline for the groundbreaking or opening.
Sellers added, “It’s going to be lots of jobs and lots of sales tax...pretty exciting.”
Mayor Virginia Young commented, “We’re excited about it. We think it’s a good opportunity for our city. We think they’ll do well.” She noted the site selected is a great location for Denny’s.
According to the chain’s website, Arkansas is a “new and emerging market” for which incentives are available to those opening up locations.
The website also states that the chain, founded in southern California in 1953, is “where guests have come for over 60 years now to sit back, relax and enjoy delicious, hearty meals 24/7, every day of the year. From breakfast anytime to satisfying lunches and dinners, if you're in the mood for it, chances are we're serving it.
“Denny's is always open, always welcoming and always serving up hearty diner food along with a mug of fresh hot coffee. So come on in anytime, park yourself in a comfortable booth, take a seat at the counter, whatever you want, because it won't take you long to understand why we're truly America's diner."
This “one of the world’s powerhouse family restaurant chain” has over 1,700 locations and 90 percent of them are franchised, the website continues. It also touts that Denny’s was ranked No. 1 of family restaurants and No. 8 overall by Entrepreneur Magazine in 2014.
