"BURGER BATTLE" Returns To Smokey Bones Bar & Fire Grill

MIAMI, June 13, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Let the "hunger games" begin! Smokey Bones Bar & Fire Grill, the restaurant and bar specializing in good food, good drinks and good times, will once again give competitive eaters the opportunity to devour a 'build-a-burger' masterpiece for a $2,500 cash prize during its second annual BURGER BATTLE eating contest on Wednesday, June 27, 2012 from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m.

BURGER BATTLE contestants can leave their hunting and gathering skills behind as their eating skills are what will allow them to survive this game. For the first two rounds, competitors will be provided a Smokey Bones' build-a-burger menu where they will need to strategically create a half-pound burger (choice of a brisket or pulled pork topping in addition to a cold topping, hot topping, cheese and specialty sauce) to out eat the contenders. Those that consume their creations in the fastest amount of time during their heat will advance to the next round.

The "final ten" will compete in the championship "Burger Blitz." During this final round, opponents will be timed as they eat a one-pound build-a-burger and the fastest time secures victory both regionally and nationally.  

The first place eater in each restaurant location will receive a $200 gift certificate for Smokey Bones, as well as the opportunity to submit their time against each of the fastest times throughout the 66 locations. The grand prize winner, the competitor with the overall fastest time, will collect $2,500 and earn bragging rights as the Smokey Bones' 2012 BURGER BATTLE champion. All participants who do not win a first place prize for each location will receive a $5 bounce back card for use after the contest or during their next visit.

BURGER BATTLE is accepting 40 entries at each location and all eaters must be at least 18 years old to participate. Applications are available at all Smokey Bones Bar & Fire Grill locations throughout the United States or via email at [email protected].

The fee for participation is $10, with a portion of the proceeds being donated to Homes for Our Troops, a non-profit organization dedicated to building specially adapted homes for severely injured veterans.

About Burger Battle:

In June 2011, Smokey Bones Bar & Fire Grill held its first annual BURGER BATTLE eating contest in 67 cities throughout the nation in honor of its new build-a-burger menu. The event highlights the opportunity for guests to customize their burger experience with more than 30 selections including beef brisket, chipotle ketchup, fried egg and fire-grilled jalapenos to create hundreds of possible combinations.

After multiple rounds and heats, Joseph Menchetti in Reading, Pennsylvania was crowned the BURGER BATTLE champion for eating his way through half pound burgers in the first and second rounds and devouring a one pound burger with five toppings in one minute and 14 seconds in the final round. Close behind were contestants from Grand Rapids, Michigan (1:40:32), Woodbridge, Virginia (1:41:00), Wilkes Barre, Pennsylvania (1:41:03) and Frazer, Pennsylvania (1:44:00).

As a result of BURGER BATTLE's success, Smokey Bones was able to donate thousands of dollars to the venerated Home for Our Troops non-profit organization and hope to enhance the donation in 2012.

About Smokey Bones Bar & Fire Grill:

Smokey Bones is a full-service bar and fire-grill restaurant that operates 66 locations in 17 states and employs nearly 2,300 people. It is owned by an affiliate of Boca Raton, Fla.-based Sun Capital Partners, whose portfolio of restaurants also includes Boston Market, Friendly's, Sweet Tomatoes, Fazoili's, Bar Louie and other restaurant brands representing approximately 2,000 locations and over $2.0 billion in sales. For more information and restaurant locations, visit www.smokeybones.com.

Media Contact:
TARA, Ink.
Meliz Andiroglu
[email protected]
305.864.3434 ext. 227

SOURCE Smokey Bones Bar & Fire Grill