MONEY

Ted's Montana Grill sets opening date, begins hiring

Scott Goss
The News Journal
A Ted’s Montana Grill in Alpharetta, Georgia, is shown. The steakhouse chain specializing in bison will open its first Delaware location at the Christiana Fashion Center by early January.

Delaware shoppers will be able to enjoy bison burgers, bison nachos and bison steaks in a little more than a month.

Ted's Montana Grill announced late Monday that its new location in the Christiana Fashion Center will open on Nov. 14.

The Atlanta-based chain also is looking to fill a few dozen jobs at the new restaurant in the shopping center at Stanton Christiana Road and Del. 1, just south of the Christiana Mall.

The company is accepting applications and conducting interviews at a temporary "hiring center" open from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday until Nov. 4. Available positions include servers, bartenders, line cooks, dishwashers and hosts, along with managerial positions. Those who cannot apply in person are encouraged to submit an application through the company's website at tedsmontanagrill.com/careers.

"Ted's is looking for individuals who value strong perseverance, hard work and bold ambition," according to a release.

STORY: Macy's to hire 300 seasonal staff at Delaware locations 

STORY: Outback Steakhouse to open in Dover Oct. 3

The bison-centric chain co-founded by billionaire Ted Turner became one of the first tenants to sign up for a space in the second 200,000-square-foot phase of the Christiana Fashion Center in 2015. The first Ted's Montana Grill in Delaware will occupy a 4,600-square-foot space at the western end of the shopping center's newest addition, which will be anchored by the combo Marshalls/HomeGoods store slated to open Oct. 20.

Company officials initially set a target opening date in January before moving it up to sometime in November to take advantage of the holiday shopping season. The chain began accepting applications for managerial positions in July.

Launched in 2002, Ted’s Montana Grill currently operates 45 locations in 17 states. The closest are in Warrington, Pennsylvania, and Gaithersburg, Maryland.

Each of the chain’s restaurants are uniquely designed without a standard shape or size. The new Christiana location will feature an interior reminiscent of a 19th century saloon, with wood-paneled walls and a tin-pressed ceiling. The space also will feature a bar and patio.

A Ted’s Montana Grill is seen in Alpharetta, Georgia. The steakhouse chain specializing in bison will open its first Delaware location at the Christiana Fashion Center in November.

Competition for steakhouse diners will be tight in the Christiana area.

J.B. Dawson’s Restaurant & Bar, Brasserie Grille, Firebirds Wood Fired Grill, Hibachi Japanese Steak House, Outback Steakhouse, LongHorn Steakhouse and Texas Roadhouse all have locations within a 5-mile radius of Christiana Fashion Center. A Lone Star Steakhouse at nearby Hares Corner closed in January after 24 years in business.

Launched in 2002, Ted’s Montana Grill is gaining ground in the crowded field of steakhouse chains. The privately held company says it has recorded same-store sales growth for more than five years.

Raymour & Flanigan, Best Buy, Destination XL, Zoës Kitchen, Shake Shack and Zoup also have recently opened or soon will be coming to the Christiana Fashion Center, which opened last year with Recreational Equipment Inc., the Container Store, Saks Off 5th and Nordstrom Rack and other retailers.

Contact business reporter Scott Goss at (302) 324-2281, sgoss@delawareonline.com or on Twitter @ScottGossDel.