Penguin Drive-In
Charlotte’s classic neighborhood spot—stacked burgers, famous fried pickles, hearty subs, a full bar, and a 100% free arcade on a dog-friendly, covered patio.
Overview
The Penguin Drive-In is a Charlotte icon—reborn in Dilworth with a bigger space, full bar, and private rooms while keeping the crowd-pleasers people love: juicy burgers, the famous fried pickles, craveable subs, and generous comfort-food plates.
The refreshed concept adds a 100% free arcade for families, the cozy Iceberg Lounge for game-day viewing, and a spacious, dog-friendly covered patio. It’s the same neighborhood soul—now with more room for everyone.
The Challenge
Respect a beloved brand’s history while modernizing operations and guest experience in a much larger footprint.
- Honor Penguin’s 1954 legacy without feeling like a museum
- Scale from a small “hole-in-the-wall” to high-capacity service
- Integrate bar, lounge, arcade, patio & private events seamlessly
- Keep ticket times tight during peak family and game-day rushes
- Evolve menu mix while preserving signature items
Our Solution
Build a scalable neighborhood-diner playbook that protects the legacy, boosts throughput, and expands dayparts with bar, arcade, patio, and events.
Ops & Throughput
Expo re-flow for burgers & subs, fry station batching for pickles & fries, and clear par guides for lunch, dinner, and late peaks.
Menu & Features
Keep icons (Penguin burgers, fried pickles, French Dip) and rotate seasonal plates and shareables that travel well for off-premise.
Bar & Lounge
Focused cocktail specs (batch-ready signatures), strong beer/cider rotation, and TV-forward Iceberg Lounge programming.
Family & Community
100% free arcade to anchor family visits, dog-friendly patio, and private rooms for parties—with neighborhood LSM and cause nights.
Results
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