America’s diner is returning to Columbus with a new location just north of OSU. Denny’s, with its 1,700 24/7 locations nationwide, will open at 3019 Olentangy River Road on October 30.
This will be the sixth location for franchise owners Jack Thompson and Thomas Pilbeam. Together they started opening Denny’s franchises six years ago. Columbus, as well as this particular location, has been on their radar for about three years, but things just recently started falling into place.
“We’ve been looking in Columbus for forever for a good site,” Thompson said. “I’m a huge Ohio State fan. This couldn’t be a better location for me, personally, and just Columbus is, I feel, a great home for Denny’s.”
It won’t be the first time for Denny’s in Columbus, but Thompson said it’s coming back after a 15-year hiatus completely modernized and with more character. Drawing inspiration from the city’s history and architecture, this new location will feature old photos of the area as well as a mural of Downtown.
“The training team from corporate’s been here, and they’ve never seen one before like this Denny’s,” Thompson said. “It’s just not the old, smoky, dark restaurant that they were back 15 years ago.”
The menu and the deals haven’t changed, though. Just the surroundings. The building will seat 109 people and employ a staff of 90. Thompson said Denny’s will also host a VIP grand opening party on December 2nd. Several more locations are set to open in the future, but Thompson couldn’t provide a specific timeline.
For more information, visit www.dennys.com.