Steak and Ale, an American casual dining chain, declared bankruptcy in 2008. Legendary Restaurant Brands, LLC, the parent company of Bennigan’s, currently owns the brand, recipes, and intellectual property.

Originally founded in Dallas, Texas, by Norman E. Brinker on February 26, 1966, the chain closed its remaining 58 locations in 2008 due to bankruptcy.

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The Menu

Steak and Ale’s popular menu boasted signature dishes like herb-roasted prime rib, Kensington club, New York strip, filet mignon, Hawaiian chicken, and spicy grilled chicken pasta.

For dinner, most entrees included either an unlimited salad bar or a choice of soup, along with free drink refills and honey wheat bread.

The restaurant also offered a lunch menu with various items priced at $6.99. In the mid-1990s, an “Early Evening” menu was introduced, featuring lower prices and including a complimentary beverage and dessert with every order.

Dessert options included strawberry sundown cake, twilight triple fudge cake, and spice cake. Additionally, the restaurant offered wine samples for only 25 cents.

The Founder

Founded by restaurant pioneer Norman Brinker in 1966 in Dallas, Steak and Ale initially set itself apart with dimly lit Tudor-style dining rooms, offering an upscale steak experience at affordable prices.

The chain served as a prototype for casual-dining steakhouse establishments, with many of its executives later leading other major chains.

In 1976, Pillsbury acquired Steak and Ale, integrating it into its restaurant group alongside Burger King, Bennigan’s, and others. The company operated 113 Steak and Ale locations, using the name Jolly Ox in markets with liquor restrictions.

In 1982, Pillsbury spun off Steak and Ale into the independent S&A Restaurant Corp.

Steak and Ale Expansion

By the late 1980s, Steak and Ale had expanded to 280 locations, becoming a prominent chain dinner house. However, increasing competition led to a decline in its market presence.

In 1988, Metromedia acquired the company, merging it with Metromedia Steak Houses’ Bonanza and Ponderosa chains in 1993 under the S&A Restaurant Group brand.

The S&A Restaurant Corp’s 2008 bankruptcy affected both Steak and Ale and Bennigan’s, resulting in the closure of all company-owned stores on the same day. Franchised Bennigan’s locations remained unaffected.

Metromedia’s Ponderosa and Bonanza chains were operated separately and were not impacted by the bankruptcy.

Oak Point Partners acquired the remaining assets from the S&A Restaurant Corp.’s bankruptcy estates on August 15, 2013, encompassing any known and unknown assets not previously administered.

Making a Comeback?

In 2013, a Facebook page hinted at the potential return of Steak and Ale, aligning with Bennigan’s comeback concept led by CEO Paul Mangiamele.On February 11, 2015, Mangiamele and his wife completed a management buyout, forming Legendary Restaurant Brands, LLC.

This new entity now exclusively owns Bennigan’s, Bennigan’s On the Fly, and the Steak and Ale brand.As of December 2018, Bennigan’s website invites potential franchisees to “Own A Steak And Ale”.

In June 2020, plans for the first revamped Steak & Ale location were unveiled, set to open in Cancún, Mexico, in 2021. The company actively seeks franchisees for upcoming U.S. locations

Steak and Ale Trivia

• Founding Date: It was founded in Dallas, Texas, on February 26, 1966, by Norman E. Brinker, a prominent figure in the restaurant industry.
• Signature Dish: The restaurant was renowned for its signature herb-roasted prime rib, a dish that became synonymous with the Steak and Ale dining experience.
• Bankruptcy and Revival: In 2008, Steak and Ale faced bankruptcy, leading to the closure of all its remaining locations. However, in recent years, there have been attempts to revive the brand under the ownership of Legendary Restaurant Brands, LLC.
• Innovative Menus: In the mid-1990s, Steak and Ale introduced the “Early Evening” menu as an attempt to boost sales. This menu not only featured lower prices but also included a complimentary beverage and dessert with every order.
• Diverse Menu Offerings: The restaurant offered more than just steaks; its menu included a range of dishes such as the Kensington club, New York strip, filet mignon, Hawaiian chicken, and spicy grilled chicken pasta.
• Salad Bar Tradition: Steak and Ale was known for providing patrons with the option of an unlimited salad bar or a choice of soup with most of its dinner menu entrees.
• Unique Dessert Selections: Some of the complimentary dessert selections on the “Early Evening” menu included indulgent choices like strawberry sundown cake, twilight triple fudge cake, and spice cake.
• Ownership Changes: Over the years, Steak and Ale underwent various ownership changes, including being acquired by Pillsbury in 1976, spinning off into S&A Restaurant Corp. in 1982, and later being purchased by Metromedia in 1988.

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