Kings Family Restaurant in Plum to be chain's new concept; sell beer, wine, alcohol

Kings Family Restaurant's Plum location will be a test site for selling beer, wine and mixed drinks at the restaurant chain.

Borough council voted 5-0 July 10 to approve the transfer of a liquor license from the former Fox & Hound English Pub & Grille in Ross Township to the restaurant at Route 286 and Presque Isle Drive.Council President Mike Doyle and Councilman Dave Majernik were absent.

Kings was purchased in 2015 by San Diego-based private-equity firm Kelly Investment Group. Its Pittsburgh headquarters is at the North Versailles Kings location.

Owner Michael Kelly said adult beverages will help Kings remain competitive with places like Chili's and Applebee's.

“We think that it might be helpful to offer a glass of wine or a beer with someone's dinner,” he said. “It's still going to be a family restaurant.

“We just want to be able to offer a similar dining experience that some other restaurants might be giving and getting more market share.”

The store will be remodeled shortly after the liquor license is approved. A grand reopening has not been scheduled.

Kelly said alcohol sales may expand to other stores in the future should the trial effort prove profitable.

A team of managers and restaurant officials determined Plum was a good fit to serve alcohol, and combine the effort with the launch of a new menu.

“They felt that the demographics in that market were very good, and felt this was the right area to be receptive to beer and wine and mimosas on the weekend,” Kelly said. “It was kind of a collaborative effort. We're super excited about it. If I wanted to go have a great craft burger, I may want to have a beer with it.”

The new menu, which is expected to be introduced the next two to three weeks, will feature hand-breaded chicken, chicken tenders, brussels sprouts and other favorites, along with healthier options.

North Versailles-based Kings was founded in 1967 by Hartley King, who remained the owner and an active manager up until the sale to Kelly Investment Group.

Kings sold alcohol at its Neville Island location prior to Kelly's purchase, but that experiment did not pan out and that liquor license was not part of the sale.

Michael DiVittorio is a Tribune-Review staff writer. Reach him at 412-871-2367.