The first Glory Days Grill opened in 1996 in Burke, Virginia. The founders were hands-on in the day-to-day business operations and helped grow Glory Days to 40 locations systemwide.
After working on the deal for more than a year, Glory Days Grill—a full-service, sports-themed family restaurant—sold its 22 corporate locations in Virginia and Maryland.
The stores were acquired by current franchisee Play Ball Florida, led by Outback Steakhouse co-founder Bob Basham, the brother of Glory Days co-founder Richard Danker. The two will co-own the stores under the new corporate entity, Play Ball USA.
Danker opened the first Glory Days Grill in 1996 in Burke, Virginia, alongside Robert Garner and Jeff Newman, who are retiring after 26 years. The founders were hands-on in the day-to-day business operations and helped grow Glory Days to 40 locations systemwide.
Details of the transaction were not disclosed.
“Bringing together all stores under one umbrella will allow more opportunities for our people, not to mention operational benefits that will positively impact the guest experience,” Basham told Franchise Times.
Following the acquisition, 37 locations will be owned by Play Ball USA, while three remain under the ownership of franchisees—“which will provide franchising opportunities that we will explore in the future,” Basham said, noting plans to continue expanding the brand in Southeastern states. Basham became a Glory Days franchisee in 2013 and opened the concept’s first restaurant in Georgia in 2019.
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“I will miss my business partners but look forward to collaborating even more closely with my brother, Bob Basham, to continue to make Glory Days a respected and loved brand,” Danker said in a statement.
Large TVs tuned to sports, cartoons, news and other entertainment are key to the sports-bar aesthetic at Glory Days restaurants, with tables and booths featuring individual volume-controlled speakers that customers can adjust. The Glory Days menu includes nachos, Mac n Cheese Bites, chicken wings, burgers and salads, with many entrees starting at $12.
Basham co-founded Tampa-based Outback Steakhouse in 1988 with partners Chris Sullivan, Tim Gannon and Trudy Cooper. Bloomin’ Brands now owns the Australian-inspired steakhouse, as well as other restaurant brands Carrabba’s Italian Grill, Bonefish Grill and Fleming’s Prime Steakhouse & Wine Bar.
