Should They Stay or Should They Go? Arooga's Challenges Guests to Determine the Fate of USDA Organic Chicken Wings
National Award-Winning Chain Arooga's Will Be the First to Roll with the Changes, but only if Guests Say So; Industry's Rising Star Announces Hershey & Camp Hill, Pa. as Test Sites for New USDA Organic Wings, Whose Fate Waits in the, well … Wings
HARRISBURG, Penn., Sept. 21, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- So, organic is the restaurant industry buzzword, but when it comes to chicken wings, do guests give a cluck? America's hottest sports bar concept is about to find out with the Ultimate Guest Test.
Beginning today through October 12, Arooga's Grille House & Sports Bar, the national award-winning brand most well-known for being selected as America's Next Top Restaurant Franchise, will let its guests' popular vote decide the fate of its proposed system-wide change to farm-fresh USDA Organic Chicken Wings. The Central-PA-based sports bar concept has chosen its Hershey and Camp Hill, Pa. locations as its official testing sites.
"As a company we have been taking many steps over the years to make our food, simply put, cleaner, healthier, and just plain better for you, and this is just the next step in that evolution. Over three years ago we transitioned our burgers to no antibiotic, hormone or steroid ever, free range Wagyu Kobe, then we rolled out clean and simple soups and dips free of artificial ingredients, and, just this year, released our first USDA Organic item," said Gary Huether, Jr., Arooga's president and co-founder. "Arooga's is committed to providing healthier and cleaner dining alternatives to our guests, and transitioning to organic wings would be huge for us. However, what matters most are our guests, so we're going to let them decide what's important to them."
Arooga's, famous for having more than 30 wing sauces, 100 large-screen HD TVs and 40 drafts including tons of craft selections and hand-crafted cocktails at all its locations, is also getting a lot of positive attention for its menu by taking steps that typical restaurants, let alone sports bars, have not made. Earlier this year, the brand announced its first USDA Organic menu item, Organic Chicken Noodle Soup.
According to Huether, Jr., the potential permanent switch to Organic Wings is another step in the trend the brand has been following in the all natural dining movement, preceded by the addition of no antibiotic, steroid, or hormone ever Wagyu Kobe Burgers. Arooga's is also planning to transition some of its produce to organic, has committed to cage-free eggs, and is adding new vegetarian options to its new menu. Recently, Arooga's added Dogfish Head Off-Centered brats to their limited time line up, which are made from animals raised in low stress environments with no antibiotics or hormones ever, and fed an all vegetarian diet. Arooga's locations are also certified by The National Foundation for Celiac Awareness for gluten-free dining, and a majority of its selections are made with super fresh ingredients.
The Organic Wings in test are sourced from a farm in Lancaster, Pa., the city in which it recently opened its newest restaurant.
In order for the product to be declared USDA Organic, farmers must follow strict guidelines and submit to annual inspections to make sure their locally sourced free range chickens meet certification standards such as receiving organic feed, all-vegetarian and free of animal by-products, genetically engineered grains and chemicals, while also ensuring that they have outdoor access and no hormones, steroids or antibiotics ever.
"We'll say no to antibiotics, growth hormones, pesticides, and other toxins, and yes to lower pollution, regulated farming practices that are better for the environment, and all around better ingredients," continued Huether, Jr. "But again, our voice is our guests' voice. Our role is to give them what they want. We're putting the wings' fate in their hands."
Arooga's has eleven locations, with its 10th corporate location in Lancaster, Pa having just opened this month, and currently has numerous franchise locations under development in Rhode Island, Massachusetts, New York, New Jersey, Georgia, Florida and Chicago, giving the brand nearly 100 units, 10 corporate and 88 franchise locations either open, in development, or under contract.
About Arooga's
Arooga's Grille House & Sports Bar is an innovative full-service casual restaurant and bar with a sports and entertainment focus that combines exceptional food and beverages, with unique concepts, and proprietary operational strategies. Arooga's Grille House & Sports Bar was founded in July 2008, and currently operates ten corporate locations in Central Pennsylvania and 88 franchise locations either open or in development. Arooga's founders are taking the "unique sports and entertainment restaurant & bar" concept national and are offering franchising opportunities to qualified multi-unit candidates. For more information, visit www.aroogas.com., or contact Keith Swade, Director of Franchise Development at [email protected].
SOURCE Arooga's Grille House & Sports Bar
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