Steak and Ale's Comeback

10/05/2026

Throwback to the 1990s, when Steak and Ale was already showing America how a night out should be done.

The look may have changed since this commercial first aired, but what made The Original special hasn’t. Quality steaks. Legendary Prime Rib. Generous portions. Great value. And the kind of warm hospitality that turns dinner into an experience.

That’s the history we’re proud to carry forward today.

We call it Newstalgia. Taking everything generations loved about Steak and Ale and building on it for a new generation.

And the story is growing again. Anderson, South Carolina is the next chapter, with more communities still to come.

Think it’s time Steak and Ale returned to your city?

https://steakandale.com/franchising/

Franchise inquiries:
[email protected]

The Original. Now and Forever.

10/03/2026

For John and Dixie Benca, bringing Steak and Ale to Anderson, South Carolina isn’t simply opening another restaurant. It’s bringing a piece of their own story home.

More than 30 years ago, John and Dixie met while working at Steak and Ale near the University of Georgia. They fell in love, built lifelong relationships, and experienced firsthand the kind of hospitality that made The Original special.

Now they’re taking everything they learned and loved about Steak and Ale and introducing it to a new generation as our first Southern franchisees.

It’s Newstalgia in the most personal way possible.

The Steak and Ale comeback is being driven by people who have a real connection to this brand. Guests who never stopped asking for its return. Former team members who still tell their stories. And franchise partners like John and Dixie who believe The Original has an exciting future ahead.

Anderson, South Carolina is the next chapter. There are many more still waiting to be written.

Could your community be one of them?

Learn more about franchising:
https://steakandale.com/franchising/

Franchise inquiries:
[email protected]

The Original. Now and Forever.

10/01/2026

Some comebacks happen because the timing is right. This one is happening because people never stopped believing in Steak and Ale.

For years, our guests kept asking for The Original to return. They shared their memories, their favorite meals, and their stories. Franchise partners saw that same passion and believed there was a future worth building.

We believed it too.

Today, Steak and Ale is growing again. Anderson, South Carolina is preparing to become the next chapter in our story, with more opportunities for future locations already ahead.

This comeback belongs to everyone who refused to let Steak and Ale become just a memory.

We’re honoring 60 years of great steaks, legendary Prime Rib, chef driven food, genuine hospitality, and exceptional value while building The Original for a new generation.

And we’re looking for passionate franchise partners who want to help us keep going.

Could you be the person who brings Steak and Ale to your community?

https://steakandale.com/franchising/

Franchise inquiries:
[email protected]

The Original. Now and Forever.

09/28/2026

At Steak and Ale, value has never meant giving you less.

It means giving you more of what matters.

Quality steaks prepared with care. Legendary Prime Rib. Generous portions. Fresh baked honey wheat bread. Our bountiful salad bar. Chef driven favorites and handcrafted drinks, all served with the warm hospitality that made The Original famous.

Since 1966, we’ve believed guests shouldn’t have to choose between quality and quantity. You deserve both. A great meal should leave you satisfied with what was on the plate and what you paid for it.

That value proposition helped make Steak and Ale an American original, and it’s just as important to our comeback today.

The Original is back in Burnsville, Minnesota. Anderson, South Carolina is next. And we’re looking for franchise partners who believe there are plenty of communities ready for a steakhouse that delivers quality, quantity, and value under one roof.

We did it first. Now we’re doing it again.

Think your city is ready for The Original?

Franchise opportunities:
https://steakandale.com/franchising/

Franchise inquiries:
[email protected]

The Original. Now and Forever.

09/26/2026

The Original is growing again, and we want to know where you think Steak and Ale should go next.

What started with the return of Steak and Ale in Burnsville, Minnesota is becoming something much bigger. Anderson, South Carolina is next, bringing our chef driven food, quality steaks, legendary Prime Rib, bountiful salad bar, handcrafted drinks, and warm hospitality back to the South.

But we’re not stopping there.

For 60 years, Steak and Ale has stood for a great night out at a great value. We believe in generous portions without sacrificing quality, hospitality that makes people want to return, and an experience that still feels unmistakably Steak and Ale.

That’s the power of Newstalgia. The Original people have loved for generations, built for the next generation.

Now we’re looking for franchise partners who can help us bring Steak and Ale to communities across the country.

Want to see that familiar Steak and Ale sign in your city again? Maybe you can be the one who brings it there.

Learn more about franchising:
https://steakandale.com/franchising/

Franchise inquiries:
[email protected]

The Original. Now and Forever.

09/24/2026

Throwback Thursday is a reminder that our roots run deep.

This photo brings together Norman Brinker with Paul and Gwen Mangiamele, two people who have dedicated themselves to carrying his vision forward through Legendary Restaurant Brands.

Norman helped change the restaurant industry when he created Steak and Ale in 1966 and later Bennigan’s. His belief in great food, genuine hospitality, exceptional value, and taking care of the people behind the experience became part of the DNA of both brands.

That lineage is still very much alive today.

Paul and Gwen aren’t simply bringing back two familiar names. They’re building on what Norman started, protecting the traditions that made these brands Legendary while creating a future that introduces Bennigan’s and Steak and Ale to entirely new generations.

That’s what Newstalgia means to us. Deep roots with plenty of room to grow.

Today, Bennigan’s continues its comeback while The Original, Steak and Ale, is back in Burnsville, Minnesota with Anderson, South Carolina next. And we’re looking for franchise partners who believe in these brands as much as we do.

Bring Bennigan’s to your community:
https://bennigans.com/own-a-bennigans/

Bring Steak and Ale to your community:
https://steakandale.com/franchising/

Franchise inquiries:
[email protected]

The legacy is real. The comeback is happening. And we’re just getting started.

Founded in 1966, Steak and Ale is a beloved "Old School" steakhouse concept with superior food, a polished atmosphere and accessible pricing. And don't forget the Famous Salad Bar! Open now in Burnsville, MN and coming soon to Anderson, SC!

09/22/2026

The World Famous Monte Cristo™ isn’t just a Bennigan’s legend. It’s part of the Legendary Restaurant Brands family, and now it’s easier than ever to get one delivered straight to your door.

Thanks to Bennigan’s On The Fly, you can enjoy that sweet, savory, crispy classic without leaving home.

It’s another example of how our sister brand Bennigan’s is finding new ways to bring the food people have loved for generations to more communities across the country.

Find Bennigan’s On The Fly near you:

https://bennigans.com/locations/

And while Bennigan’s On The Fly continues to grow, so does Steak and Ale. The Original is back in Burnsville, Minnesota, Anderson, South Carolina is next, and we’re looking for franchise partners to help bring Steak and Ale to even more cities.

Want to be part of the comeback?

https://steakandale.com/franchising/

Franchise inquiries:

[email protected]

The Original. Now and Forever.

09/21/2026

A great night out deserves a great finish.

At Steak and Ale, that means saving room for our house made Bread Pudding and pairing it with a handcrafted Espresso Martini.

It’s rich, indulgent, and exactly how a steakhouse dinner should end.

From the first slice of warm honey wheat bread to quality steaks, our legendary salad bar, innovative drinks, and dessert, we believe a night out should deliver from beginning to end. Great food, generous portions, genuine hospitality, and real value have been part of Steak and Ale since Norman Brinker created The Original in 1966.

Now more guests are getting the chance to experience it again.

Steak and Ale is back in Burnsville, Minnesota, Anderson, South Carolina is next, and we’re looking for franchise partners who want to help bring The Original to even more communities.

Great food. Great drinks. Great value. Right down to the last bite and sip.

Think your city should be next?

Learn more about franchising:
https://steakandale.com/franchising/

Franchise inquiries:
[email protected]

The Original. Now and Forever.

09/19/2026

The future of Bennigan’s and Steak and Ale is being built one relationship at a time.

For us, franchising has never been simply about opening more restaurants. It’s about finding people who genuinely believe in these brands, understand the connection generations of guests have with them, and want to help write the next chapter.

That’s what makes the relationship between our CEO, Paul Mangiamele, and franchise partner John Benca so special. John’s history with Steak and Ale goes back decades, and today he’s helping bring The Original to Anderson, South Carolina.

These are the partnerships that make growth meaningful. Shared passion, mutual trust, a commitment to great food and hospitality, and a belief that Bennigan’s and Steak and Ale have a very bright future ahead.

And we’re looking for more people who want to be part of it.

Bring Steak and Ale to your community:
https://steakandale.com/franchising/

Bring Bennigan’s to your community:
https://bennigans.com/own-a-bennigans/

Franchise inquiries:
[email protected]

09/17/2026

The Original is celebrating a World Famous legend today.

Happy National World Famous Monte Cristo™ Day!

Our sister brand Bennigan’s made the World Famous Monte Cristo™ famous, and today you can enjoy that same iconic sandwich at Steak and Ale.

It’s sweet. It’s savory. It’s crispy. It’s completely unlike anything else on the table. And it fits perfectly with what Steak and Ale has always been about: chef driven food, generous portions, quality ingredients and a dining experience worth going out for.

Read more about today’s celebration:

https://legendaryrestaurantbrands.com/bennigans-and-steak-and-ale-celebrate-national-monte-cristo-day-with-iconic-world-famous-monte-cristo/2026/09/14/

This year, Steak and Ale celebrates 60 years while Bennigan’s celebrates 50. That’s 110 years of Legendary food, hospitality and memories between two American originals.

So today, raise a Monte and celebrate with us.

Happy National World Famous Monte Cristo™ Day from Steak and Ale!

The Original. Now and Forever.

09/17/2026

09/16/2026

Two Legendary brands. A combined 110 years of history. And one World Famous sandwich bringing them together.

RestaurantNews.com is highlighting Steak and Ale and Bennigan’s ahead of National Monte Cristo Day on September 17.

Read the article:
https://www.restaurantnews.com/bennigans-steak-and-ale-national-monte-cristo-day-091426/

The World Famous Monte Cristo™ may have become an icon at our sister brand Bennigan’s, but today it has found a home at Steak and Ale too. It’s a perfect example of what we call Newstalgia: taking the flavors and traditions generations of guests love and giving a new generation the opportunity to experience them.

As Steak and Ale celebrates 60 years, that idea means more than ever.

The Original is back with the quality steaks, generous portions, chef driven food, warm hospitality, and exceptional value that built our reputation, reimagined as a polished casual steakhouse for today.

And the comeback is growing.

Burnsville, Minnesota brought The Original back. Anderson, South Carolina is next. We’re looking forward to seeing where Steak and Ale goes from there.

Think your community should be part of the comeback?

Franchise inquiries:
[email protected]

The Original. Now and Forever.

Stop by Bennigan's to try returning fall classics like the Reuben Burger paired with new seasonal cinnamon cocktails!

09/15/2026

09/15/2026

Sixty years of The Original. One World Famous sandwich. And a whole lot to celebrate.

September 17 is National Monte Cristo Day, and this year Steak and Ale is joining our sister brand Bennigan’s in celebrating the World Famous Monte Cristo™.

It’s Newstalgia on a plate. A Legendary favorite with generations of history, served alongside the quality, generous portions, warm hospitality, and exceptional value that define Steak and Ale today.

Read more about the celebration:
https://legendaryrestaurantbrands.com/bennigans-and-steak-and-ale-celebrate-national-monte-cristo-day-with-iconic-world-famous-monte-cristo/2026/09/14/

As Steak and Ale celebrates 60 years, we’re not just looking back. The Original is growing again, from Burnsville, Minnesota to our upcoming Anderson, South Carolina location and beyond.

Want to help bring Steak and Ale to your community?

https://steakandale.com/franchising/

Franchise inquiries:
[email protected]

The Original. Now and Forever.

09/14/2026

It’s Monte Monday, and this week we’re celebrating a true legend.

September 17 is World Famous Monte Cristo™ Day, celebrating the iconic sandwich our sister brand Bennigan’s perfected and made famous.

And yes, you can enjoy the World Famous Monte Cristo™ at Steak and Ale Burnsville.

Sweet, savory, crispy, and unmistakable, it fits right alongside everything we believe in at The Original: chef driven food, quality ingredients, generous portions, and a dining experience that delivers real value.

It’s also a pretty delicious example of Newstalgia. Legendary favorites people have loved for generations, ready to be discovered all over again.

As Steak and Ale grows from Burnsville, Minnesota to our upcoming Anderson, South Carolina location, we’re excited to bring more of these experiences to more communities.

Want to bring The Original to yours?

https://steakandale.com/franchising/

Franchise inquiries:
[email protected]

The Original. Now and Forever.

09/12/2026

09/12/2026

Some Steak and Ale stories span generations. John and Dixie Benca’s story has come full circle.

More than 30 years ago, they met and fell in love while working together at Steak and Ale near the University of Georgia. It’s where they built lifelong relationships and learned what genuine hospitality looked like.

Today, after years of successfully operating restaurants in Anderson, South Carolina, they’re bringing the brand that helped bring them together home as Steak and Ale’s first Southern franchisees.

As John puts it, “Steak and Ale represents a trusted experience people can depend on, and we’re honored to bring that Legendary legacy home.”

This is what the Steak and Ale comeback is all about. The Original is more than great steaks, legendary Prime Rib, chef driven food, and warm hospitality. It’s a brand people have a genuine connection to.

Burnsville brought The Original back. John and Dixie are bringing it to Anderson. Now we’re looking for the franchise partners who will help us decide where Steak and Ale goes next.

Maybe that’s your community.

Learn more about franchising:
https://steakandale.com/franchising/

Franchise inquiries:
[email protected]

The Original. Now and Forever.

09/11/2026

The Steak and Ale comeback is about restaurants, but even more importantly, it’s about people.

Our CEO, Paul Mangiamele, and franchise partner John Benca share something much deeper than a business relationship. They share a passion for The Original, its history, its guests, and the opportunity to introduce Steak and Ale to a whole new generation.

For John, that connection is especially personal. His Steak and Ale story began decades ago as an employee, and now he’s helping write its future by bringing The Original to Anderson, South Carolina.

That’s exactly the kind of franchise relationship we believe in. Personal. Passionate. Built on trust and a genuine emotional connection to the brand.

Burnsville brought Steak and Ale back. John and his team are helping take us South. And as we continue growing, we’re looking for franchise partners who want to become part of this story, not simply invest in it.

Could you help bring The Original to your community?

https://steakandale.com/franchising/

Franchise inquiries:
[email protected]

The Original. Now and Forever.

09/08/2026

Before she became one of the biggest voices in music, Whitney Houston was already unmistakable.

Here’s a piece of Steak and Ale history we’ll never get tired of sharing: a young Whitney Houston singing for The Original in this vintage commercial.

Watch it here:
https://youtu.be/6RWAuWCMeII?is=cCrPHmgHPYYLNMPm

It’s one of those incredible moments that reminds us just how deeply Steak and Ale is woven into American culture.

The music. The atmosphere. The steaks. The salad bar. The special nights out. And now, a whole new generation gets to experience it.

Steak and Ale is back in Burnsville, Minnesota, Anderson, South Carolina is next, and we’re looking for franchise partners to help bring The Original to even more communities.

That’s Newstalgia at its best.

Want to help bring Steak and Ale back to your city?

Franchise inquiries:
[email protected]

The Original. Now and Forever.

Whitney Houston sang the jingle for this classic 1980 Steak & Ale c...

09/07/2026

This Labor Day, we’re celebrating the people behind The Original.

Great steaks, legendary Prime Rib, chef driven food, handcrafted drinks, and warm hospitality don’t happen without great people. From our kitchens and bars to the team members welcoming guests through the door, they’re the heart of the Steak and Ale experience.

That was true when Norman Brinker founded Steak and Ale in 1966, and it remains true as we build the future of the brand today.

As The Original grows from Burnsville, Minnesota to our upcoming location in Anderson, South Carolina and beyond, we’re proud to have hardworking, passionate people carrying that tradition forward.

To our team members past and present, thank you for making Steak and Ale great.

Happy Labor Day from The Original.