Ground Round Plans Return to Massachusetts with Shrewsbury Location

After twenty years away, Ground Round is returning to Massachusetts, setting up shop at 271 Grafton St. in Shrewsbury. They’re planning to open their doors in early 2025. Local businessman…

Erika Beasley

Updated Dec 3, 2024 3:34 PM EST

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After twenty years away, Ground Round is returning to Massachusetts, setting up shop at 271 Grafton St. in Shrewsbury. They're planning to open their doors in early 2025. Local businessman Joseph Shea and his wife bought the rights to the brand. The new spot will move into the old Bauhinia Chinese restaurant building. While they haven't started fixing up the place yet, they're already looking for staff. According to Shea's LinkedIn profile, he posted he was hiring for an executive chef.

The chain began in Massachusetts as part of Howard Johnson's in 1969 and really took off, growing to hundreds of restaurants by 1985. Things went south when they filed for bankruptcy in 2004, shutting down most locations as other restaurants started taking over. This comeback marks a fresh chapter for the chain, which hit its lowest point when it had to close its Pawtucket, Rhode Island, restaurant ten years ago.

Currently, there is one Ground Round near Toledo in Perrysburg, Ohio, and three others still open in North Dakota. When it opens, this restaurant will be one of just five Ground Round locations left in the country.

Ground Round Shrewsbury

Erika BeasleyEditor