Bennigan’s on the Fly is coming to the Valley, but with familiar roots. The Irish Pub, Bennigan’s, of the same brand, is operating in Henderson and Reno. According to the company’s website, the rebranded Bennigan’s on the Fly is coming to Las Vegas by the end of the year.
What Now Las Vegas reached out to the couple behind the brand, CEO Paul Mangiamele and Managing Director Gwen Mangiamele, about the opening. Paul shared that the opening is part of a relationship with Host Kitchen marketplace, Franklin Junction, which plans to use the host kitchen model to feature 10-15 Bennigan’s items on its menu.
“They put our Bennigan’s and Steak and Ale menu items in a licensing agreement, ” Mangiamele explained. “It gives them an opportunity to add incremental revenue to whoever the host is.”
Mangiamele added that with this model, the Mangiameles will have over 60 Bennigan’s on the Fly operating by the end of the year.
“That’s how we’ve been able to continue to grow our scale by utilizing these kinds of formats,” Mangiamele said.
“We’re on the move!”
The brand has had a few twists and turns, so this partnership is helping the brand grow at the right time for the power couple.
Bennigan’s was founded in 1976. As its website states, the Legendary Irish Hospitality brand continues today with “new chapters that reflect Bennigan’s history while introducing a reinvented brand.” According to the Tasting Table, the beloved Irish pub-inspired food chain went bankrupt in 2008, closing most of its restaurants. This year, you’re starting to see the brand make a comeback, reopening new concepts under a different name in the same locations it once lived and starting to implant itself in new communities. This partnership with Franklin Junction is going to help make that dream a reality.
“It’s a way to add varied profitable, incremental revenue to the existing operator. It’s working quite well,” Mangiamele said.
Bennigan’s and Bennigan’s on the Fly are currently in several states throughout the country and also have international locations, including in Mexico, El Salvador, Qatar, and Dubai. Mangiamele shared that with the use of host kitchens, the brand is branching out to South Korea, India, and more. The franchise currently offers a variety of dine-in, delivery, or pick-up only at these locations. Bennigan’s on the Fly is listed as coming soon for multiple locations, including Las Vegas.
Sister Brand, Steak and Ale, is really where this brand’s story starts, and Legendary Restaurant Brands is the company behind all three concepts. These concepts serve up a mix of innovative Irish dishes and American fare. Bennigan’s on the Fly is expected to offer the many dishes Steak and Ale and Bennigan’s have become known and loved for, including its sandwiches, like the Bennigan’s Club, Hawaiian chicken, Baby Back ribs, salads and soups, desserts, and a plethora of signature cocktails and non-alcoholic beverages.
The new Bennigan’s on the Fly location that is expected to open in Las Vegas by the end of the year will be either to-go, catering, delivery, or inside a restaurant. But it could quite possibly be all four options. This would be for Franklin Junction to decide.
What Now Las Vegas reached out to a few members of the Franklin Junction brand, including CEO Rishi Nigan, but did not hear back by the time of publication.
While there’s no word out just yet on eaxctly when and where the Las Vegas location will be opening, the ominous “coming soon” sign that hangs over Las Vegas and a host of other locations on its website is sure sign that Bennigan’s lovers should keep their eyes open and their ears perked for the rebranded Bennigan’s on the Fly opening by the end of the year in Las Vegas.
This is a developing story; we will update the article as more information is made available.
