The rumors are true: The Ground Round is returning to Massachusetts

SHREWSBURY – The Ground Round returns to Massachusetts in January. An old Chinese restaurant, off Route 9 in Shrewsbury, is currently undergoing renovations to take customers back in time to one of Massachusetts’ most beloved restaurant chains, but with a modern twist.

The restaurant chain was founded in Massachusetts in 1969 before filing for bankruptcy in 2004. The company, known for its peanut-covered floors and pay-what-you-weigh system, remained in business with locations in North Dakota and Ohio.

Joe and Nachi Shea live in Shrewsbury and had their eye on the business for years.

“This area of ​​Shrewsbury had an iconic location. The brand is iconic and classic and people would talk all the time about how much they missed it,” said Joe Shea. “We were there all the time. It was the place to go after practice, or after games, or on the weekend with your family. It was the family place.”

Four locations in the Midwest

Sheas bought the rights and trademarks to The Ground Round. They own it and the brands and licenses from four locations in the Midwest. Their goal was always to bring the company home to Massachusetts.

“It feels really good to know that you can dream something and things can happen,” Shea said. “If you keep your ear to the ground and work hard and be a good person, things will come back.”

“There’s a lot of pressure because everyone has their good memories from this place,” Nachi Shea said. “I don’t know about you, but memories are very personal.”

“We will definitely bring back the popcorn”

The pair said they feel the pressure and are doing their best to strike nostalgic notes as they bring the brand into the 2020s. The Sheas say the menu will include classics and a few newer items.

The company, famous for its peanuts, began to back away from them in the early 2000s when regulations around allergies were tightened.

“But we will definitely bring back the popcorn,” Nachi said. “It’s not a problem. I’m sure we’re going to vacuum more than we want, but that’s OK. It’s part of the experience.”