Construction will shortly be underway to open Shula’s 347 Grille, named in honor of Shula’s 347 career victories, including Super Bowl wins with the Baltimore Colts and the Miami Dolphins.  The restaurant will have 140 seats and a private dining room at its location on Excelsior Avenue.

The hotel was in need of a larger banquet facility as well as an option for dinner on the property, said Erik King of Spa Hotels II who will own and operate the restaurant.

“With Shula’s sports motif, it was easy to visualize the property in Saratoga.  While Saratoga is small compared to the other cities that have Shula Steak Houses, I think it’ll be a good fit,” he said.  “I’m excited for this opportunity.  It’s great to have a company that is in mainly large cities come to this area.”

The project is projected to cost approximately $4 million and should open by the end of 2008, King said.  This will be the 30th restaurant by Shula’s Steak Houses. 

Dave Shula, Don’s son, was contacted by Spa Hotels II when plans were in the works to add a new conference center that will hold up to 250 people, and after touring the area, he said he felt that bringing Shula’s 347 Grille to Saratoga Springs would be a great opportunity to expand the company into the North East. 

“I was very impressed with the people of Saratoga Springs and I know that the area is busy enough to be successful,” he added. 

Shula’s restaurants began in the late 1980’s when the Graham family in southern Florida wanted to create a destination restaurant to be included in hotels throughout out the country.

“The Grahams talked my dad into licensing his name to the franchise, and everything grew from there. Since then, we’ve gone from zero to 30 restaurants around the country,” Shula said. 

Shula’s Steak Houses have four different concepts, including Shula’s 2, an upscale sports restaurant, Shula’s on the Beach, a beach location restaurant with emphasis on steaks and seafood, Shula’s Steak House, a fine dining steak house, and Shula’s 347 Grille, a casual atmosphere with an emphasis on Shula’s custom cut steaks. 

The decision to put Shula’s 347 Grille in the Courtyard Marriott was decided by evaluating the surrounding area of the hotel and other restaurants in close proximity, Shula said. 

“The market really decided which restaurant to put here,” Shula said.  “We felt that the Courtyard Marriott could use a 347 Grille.  They didn’t need another white table cloth high end restaurant.”

Shula’s 347 Grille will feature Shula’s signature cut Angus steaks, salads, sandwiches and seafood in a casual setting, he added.  The average check should run between $20 and $50.   

“There’s a broad range in our menu – definitely something for everyone,” he said.