This Dubuque Restaurant Closed — Now It’s Making a Comeback

If you grew up in Dubuque during the '80s or '90s, chances are you have fond memories of The Ground Round. Originally situated at 50 John F. Kennedy Road (currently an auto dealership), the casual dining spot suffered through many issues in its final days, according to an old Telegraph Herald report. Unpaid rent, franchise fees, health department issues, and other bills that amounted to hundreds of thousands of dollars led to its closure, both locally and on the national stage.

Families would gather for birthdays, friends met up after games, and kids enjoyed the free popcorn (originally shelled peanuts) and sundaes served in plastic baseball helmets. The Ground Round was a place where memories were made. Even my family and I ate there when it was still open in the late 2000s. If I remember right, I quite enjoyed their burgers.

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However, like many beloved chains of its day, The Ground Round faced challenges in the early 2000s. The chain as a whole filed for bankruptcy in 2004, and by 2024, only a handful of locations remained operational across the country. The Dubuque location closed on April 22nd, 2013, following the spate of issues mentioned above.

But apparently nostalgia has a powerful pull. Recognizing the cherished place The Ground Round held for many families, Joseph and Nachi Shea acquired the rights to the brand. In January 2025, they reopened The Ground Round in Shrewsbury, Massachusetts. Yes, that is the very town where the chain was founded in 1969. Their vision? To blend the beloved elements of the past with modern dining sensibilities.

Now, the revamped Ground Round hopes to honor its legacy by bringing back fan favorites like baby back ribs, blackened chicken Alfredo, and fried cinnamon dippers. While peanuts on the floor are a thing of the past due to allergy concerns, the free popcorn remains, evoking memories of simpler times. According to Restaurant Business, there are no plans to franchise again, but the current owners are not opposed to it in the future. In total, there are currently three other locations in North Dakota and one in Ohio, all are described as "licensed units" based on their deals.

For Dubuque residents, this revival sparks hope. Maybe that's not the right word, considering the restaurant's final troubled years in Dubuque. Perhaps one day, Dubuque will again have a Ground Round, allowing a new generation to create those cherished memories we have from the 80s and 90s. Until then, it seems the spirit of The Ground Round lives on the East Coast.