San Diego's HomeTown Buffet® Restaurants Undergo Transformation

GREER, S.C., Aug. 18 /PRNewswire/ -- Diners in San Diego are in for a new, upgraded experience as all 10 of the area's HomeTown Buffet® restaurants will be completely transformed.  The re-imaged restaurants will offer new food stations with delicious, contemporary menu items, as well as new dishes and flavor profiles.  Each restaurant will also showcase an entirely new 'look and feel' with updated design and fresh, new decor.  

A list of re-imaged restaurants follows and consumers can access www.Facebook.com/HomeTownBuffet for updates and news about the re-launched restaurants.  The major reimaging in San Diego coincides with the launch of the company's new marketing platform, the "Land of &," which communicates a dining experience with personalized options where requiring decisions between one option or another does not exist.  HomeTown Buffet is part of the Buffets, Inc. family of restaurants, the nation's largest steak-buffet restaurant company.

"Other restaurants, even those with buffets, often require guests to make choices between one food genre or another," said Monte Jump, executive vice president of marketing for Buffets, Inc.  "HomeTown Buffet takes the 'or' out of dining by providing culinary adventures and options that go on 'and' on.  We believe the restaurants' new look and feel will better reflect our position as 'The Land of &' while offering a great atmosphere for memorable meals between family and friends."

HomeTown Buffet's transformation process will be tiered, with each of the 10 local restaurants taking approximately two weeks per store, beginning with the Mira Mesa location which re-opens on August 15.  Chosen for its great growth potential and loyal customer-base, completion of all San Diego stores is expected by January, 2011.  Specific dates are dependent upon permitting schedules and will be announced through www.Facebook.com/HomeTownBuffet.  The company's goal is to continue expanding the transformation process to other markets in the future.

The re-imaged San Diego-area HomeTown Buffet restaurants are also introducing several new recipes with exciting new flavor profiles served throughout the week. Many of these items are also highlighted in the company's new television advertising campaign, "The Land of &," which debuted at the end of July.

Asian, Italian and Mexican cuisines are showcased along with the American Fare 'Market' which offers upgraded classic items, as well as new sliders and new Country-Style Ribs.  There is also a new Carving Station, a Fresh Market for customizable salads and Soup Bar.  The Beverage Bar will offer traditional soft drinks and coffees, and new beverages will be added including horchata (a cold drink made with rice, almonds, cinnamon, sugar and lime zest), pineapple cooler, lemonade, pink lemonade, iced coffee, and raspberry tea.  Of course, for a truly 'sweet' ending to a meal, HomeTown Buffet offers its famous Bakery and Ice Cream Stand, now with new hard-packed ice cream in addition to its traditional soft-serve.  Additionally, all remodeled restaurants will feature ICEE beverages and may include cherry, blue raspberry and Coca-Cola flavors.

Designed by Cuningham Group Architecture in Minneapolis, the re-imaged San Diego-area HomeTown Buffet restaurants will feature raised ceilings in the food area and have updated, warm-toned decor serving as a neutral back drop so that all buffet-areas 'pop' visually.  Each colorful, cuisine-specific buffet or Market 'store-front' will be newly designed to reflect the appropriate region and its food specialties, i.e.; a bright red Asian pagoda and authentic tiles at the Mexican Market. The Beverage Bar, Bakery and Ice Cream Stand will also have new looks and appropriate signs hanging from the ceiling. Updated artwork throughout, new tables, chairs and banquette/booths complete the makeover.

HomeTown Buffet – San Diego Store List

(Note that restaurants listed below are in no particular order in regard to the reimaging process.  Access www.Facebook.com/HomeTownBuffet for updates and news)

About Buffets, Inc.

Buffets, Inc. is the nation's largest steak-buffet restaurant company, which currently operates 532 restaurants in 38 states, comprised of 515 steak-buffet restaurants and 10 Tahoe Joe's Famous Steakhouse® restaurants, and franchises seven steak-buffet restaurants in six states. The restaurants are principally operated under the Old Country Buffet®, HomeTown Buffet®, Ryan's® and Fire Mountain® brands. Buffets, Inc. employs approximately 30,000 team members and serves 165 million customers annually. For more information about the Company, please visit our Web sites at www.Buffet.com

SOURCE Buffets, Inc.