Chickie's & Pete's Announces Major Summer Expansion In Sports Arenas And Amusement Parks

PHILADELPHIA, May 8, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Chickie's and Pete's (C&P), the Philadelphia-area sports bar and restaurant chain, today announced the full scope of its planned summer expansion into several new sporting and amusement establishments. Among the highlights of the confirmed expansions is a stand-alone restaurant that will be housed in the PPL Center arena in Allentown, Pennsylvania, and the opening of new C&P branded locations in amusement parks and sports arenas in four states.  In total, the popular Philadelphia-area sports bar now operates 14 stand-alone restaurants, including 4 in Philadelphia International Airport, and in 24 sports arenas, stadiums, amusement parks, and along Jersey Shore boardwalks.

"These expansion opportunities are a testament to the great relationships we have established and to the unique food offerings we provide," said Pete Ciarrocchi, President and CEO of C&P.  "Our reputation of providing the best guest experience in the business continues to grow well outside of our home base in the Philadelphia region.  These establishments will expose new guests to our signature food items with an eye towards full-fledged expansion of stand-alone restaurants in the future."

The largest expansion announced is the planned 8,000 square-foot, stand-alone restaurant that is being constructed as part of the new PPL Center arena, home of the Lehigh Valley Phantoms hockey team, an AHL affiliate for the Philadelphia Flyers.  C&P will be the anchor restaurant for the state-of-the-art, 9,000-seat arena and concert venue.  With a capacity of 325 people (275 indoors with an additional 50 outdoors), the restaurant will offer year-round service on game days and when there is no scheduled event at the venue.

Continuing in the sports arena expansion, C&P has also opened a new Crabfries® concession stand at Frawley Stadium in Wilmington Delaware, which is home to the Wilmington Blue Rocks baseball team.  The concession stand, similar to ones in current operation at Citizens Bank Park and the Wells Fargo Center in South Philadelphia, will offer C&P's signature Crabfries®, crinkle cut fries seasoned with a secret blend of seafood spices and served with a side of their famous cheese sauce, along with Chickie's® chicken cutlets, Chickie's® buffalo cutlets, Philly cheesesteaks and chicken cheesesteaks.  Moreover, C&P has opened a similar location at Hershey Park in Hershey, Pennsylvania. 

The success of Chickie's and Pete's locations inside of Dorney Park and Wildwater Kingdom in Allentown, Pennsylvania and Worlds and Oceans of Fun in Kansas City, Missouri, has spawned a multi-state amusement park expansion that is set to take place this summer.  C&P will be expanding its current relationship with Cedar Fair Entertainment Company, which will place themed locations at three additional Cedar Fair amusement parks, Cedar Point in Sandusky, Ohio; Carowinds in Charlotte, North Carolina; and Valleyfair in Shakopee, Minnesota. 

About Chickie's and Pete's:
Chickie's & Pete's is a Philadelphia-area sports bar and restaurant chain with 14 locations across Pennsylvania and New Jersey. Founded in 1977 by Peter and Henrietta Ciarrocchi, C&P started as a single location in the Mayfair neighborhood of Philadelphia and has since grown to become one of the most recognizable brands in the region. Its famous, one-of-a-kind Crabfries® concession stands can be found in stadiums, arenas, boardwalks and amusement parks throughout the area. C&P is a leader in forging innovative strategic partnerships and utilizing technology to bring together casual dining with interactive sports entertainment. The company combines family-based values with a love of all things sports in each of its locations.

SOURCE Chickie's and Pete's