Shakey’s Goes Back to Basics in One Town

When Irvine-based Shakey’s Inc. opened a restaurant in Foothill Ranch, the company decided to go a bit more upscale in both decor and menu than at its other nine pizza parlors in Orange County.

Shakey’s Cafe, which opened two years ago, offered gourmet pizzas and pastas in addition to traditional Shakey’s menu items such as pizza, chicken and mojo potatoes.

But residents of Foothill Ranch weren’t buying the more contemporary version.

After closing for a month of remodeling, the restaurant will reopen Friday as a traditional Shakey’s, featuring the chain’s all-you-can eat lunch buffet seven days a week.

“We’ve repeatedly heard from our loyal customers that what the community wants is a good, old-fashioned Shakey’s Pizza Restaurant and we’ve listened,” said Madison Jobe, Shakey’s chief operating officer.