New tavern catches flak, but stands by its ‘no-kids’ policy
The 8,640-square-foot, free-standing Cheddar’s Casual Cafe, on a four-acre parcel on the northeast corner of Wilmington Pike and Feedwire Road, opened in June 2016 as Cheddar’s first Dayton-area location. It hired as many as 200 employees prior to its opening.
First Dayton-area Cheddar’s restaurant opens today (June 2016)
The local Cheddar’s appears to have found an enthusiastic following. Facebook comments routinely describe wait times during peak hours, and the owner of a nearby independent restaurant, Caramella’s Italian Kitchen, said earlier this month that Cheddar’s popularity was difficult to compete against and contributed to his decision to shut down.
In January, that same restaurant was among more than 40 locations sold by Cheddar’s largest franchise owner, Kentucky-based Greer Companies, to the chain’s corporate parent. That gave Cheddar’s corporate parent direct control of 139 of the chain’s 164 locations — and may have streamlined its sale to the larger Darden Restaurants. Greer had operated its 44 Cheddar’s restaurants in Ohio, Indiana, Kentucky, Tennessee, Virginia, West Virginia and North Carolina.
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Cheddar’s is a casual-dining restaurant, open for lunch and dinner, with a menu that includes smoked BBQ ribs, grilled salmon, chicken tenders, country-style fried chicken, salads and sandwiches.
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