Family favourite restaurant launches biggest menu overhaul ever — with 38 new dishes

From this week, if you venture in to your local Frankie & Benny’s, you may be in for a mouth-watering surprise

The all-American diner with an Italian twist has over-hauled its entire menu, introducing not just a handful, but an astonishing 38 new menu items to branches nationwide.

Since the diner’s launch in 1995, its been known for the burgers, pastas and meatballs, but in its biggest ever brand refresh, there’s now a whole lot more.

First up, the chain has introduced a brunch offering, in their newly launched New York Brunch menu, which is available everyday until 4pm.

New dishes on offer include generous portions of fluffy buttermilk pancakes, which come in a stack of three (£8.95) or a tower of five (£10.45).

The toppings range from fruity blueberry to banana and Biscoff, as well as asavoury option with bacon.

There’s also new loaded bagels, starting from £10.25, stuffed full with bacon, sausages and eggs (yes, we’re drooling too).

If you’re looking for a slice of New York nostalgia, look no further than the baked pretzels (£7.95 for two). The knotted doughy snack is served with a tangy cheese fondue, honey mustard and a gherkin dip.

And, there’s The Great NYC Breakfast for £11.45, a quintessential American brunch, stacked high with streaky bacon, eggs, sausage patties, fried potato tots and buttermilk pancakes with maple syrup.

The new menu, which was trailed in London, Bristol and Newcastle, follows extensive research gained from thousands of old and new Frankie & Benny’s customers who gave their insights into their wants and needs from dining brands.

If you’re not one to venture out for brunch, then there’s new lunch and dinner offerings too which return the chain to its Little Italy roots.

You can indulge in a chicken parm tripple stack for £14.95 – a concoction of layers of crispy buttermilk chicken parm, streaky bacon and avocado on toasted bread, topped with basil and creamy mayo.

Or you could opt for the classic chicken parm (£16.75), which includes marinara sauce and mozzarella on a bed of spaghetti.

If you’ve always got some extra room for dessert, then the hot cookie dough served with vanilla ice cream is sure to satisfy your cravings for a sweet treat.

These changes have come a year after the once-struggling chain was sold to Bella Italia owner The Big Table Group, a deal which saw the former owner pay £7.5 million in cash for Big Table to take the loss-making business off its hands.

Frankie & Benny’s managing director Debbie Husband said: ‘From our customer focused research it was quickly very clear we had a strong business, a solid platform to build on.

Debbie added: ‘We have developed a whole new menu and proposition with staff training and engagement that is ready to go. The next phase will be key to creating more brand love and more customers choosing Frankie & Benny’s.’

As well as the food, there are new contemporary staff uniforms, new branded plates and better lighting and music, in hopes of creating a better overall experience.

Don’t fear though, you’ll still be eating your meal in the comfort of the leather booths – they’re here to stay.

It’s not the only chain to be making big changes either. Recently Louisiana fried chicken brand Popeyes, which has previously been hailed as phenomenal and better than McDonald’s, is launching a new Hot Honey range, with their beloved sauce.

Joining the line-up in restaurants and for takeaway is a twist on the chain’s most famous product, the chicken sandwich.

There’s also new Hot Honey Saucin’ Wings (from £5.99), which Popeyes say are ‘a must-try for fans looking to spice up their order’ and a new Hot Honey Box meal.

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