Despite 23 years of business and 27 open restaurants, few had outdoor dining until recently. While patios are commonplace in the bar-and-grill segment where Roosters sits, outdoor seating is a rarity at family dining restaurants. Since Roosters’ growth has been fueled by re-purposing abandoned restaurant buildings from chains like Bob Evans, Ponderosa and Denny’s, it has been missing out on patio seating.
Roosters President Dan Ponton said they’ve spent the last year or so working to correct that.
“Our guests have wanted this,” he said. “Plus, we’ve been fortunate that we’re very busy. There are times we just run out of room. This gives us more seating.”
Ten Rooster’s have patios now, including newly added ones at the Olentangy River Road and Henderson Road restaurants.
Ponton said the plan is to open as many patios as the sites and municipalities will allow. They know some, specifically German Village and Grove City, won’t be part of the movement due to space issues.
The chain is working on other ways to get its wings out too. Long before food trucks became de rigueur, Roosters was driving its Roosters Roadshow truck to events, both its own, like its annual golf outing Aug. 24. It’s still on the road. The truck was a staple for years outside left field for Columbus Clippers games at Cooper Stadium. That relationship transformed into a permanent gig with Roosters on the Roof, the company’s concession spot inside Huntington Park.
The Clippers aren’t the only sports organization Roosters is working with. Ponton said the company is working with Ohio State University as well and will work on an arrangement to get the Roadshow truck a regular gig on campus for football Saturdays. He wouldn’t say if concession opportunities at OSU sports facilities are a possibility, but admitted they’re discussing several ideas.
