Grand Opening for Shoney's at Sugarloaf Mills Thursday

Shoney's restaurant is gearing up to open their newest restaurant at Sugarloaf Mills in Lawrenceville, Ga.

The grand-opening for the restaurant will be held Thursday, January 16 at 4 p.m. Festivities will include a ribbon-cutting, a meet and greet with former NBA All-Star Ralph Sampson and wrestler Scott “Big Poppa Pump” Steiner. Shoney Bear will be there to meet the children. Also, all attendees can get a free slice of Shoney's Hot Fudge Cake.

The first of its kind mall location is a new prototype for the chain. Not only will it include the traditional entrees and seasonal buffets, but also full liquor service and "Shoney's On The Go."

Shoney's Chairman and CEO David Davoudpour is excited about the new restaurant.

“This has as much historic implication as the very first Shoney’s in 1947,” said Davoudpour in a release. “The stories you hear about Shoney’s aren’t myths. This brand was the premier family casual dining concept in the world. And this opening represents another step towards returning Shoney’s to its glory days.”

Shoney's also hired 70 full- and part-time employees for the new restaurant.