Look inside newly renovated Denny’s in O’Fallon

Regulars of the O’Fallon Denny’s who don’t already know can rest assured: Their diner is back open.

The restaurant that’s located at 737 W. U.S. 50 closed April 19 for renovations. By April 30, the job was done and doors opened once again.

A formal grand reopening celebration begins at 7 a.m. Friday.

Anwaar Hassan, the district manager who oversees the O’Fallon location and 13 others in the region, said the total remodel took only 10 days. He said the difference in the layout and appearance of the diner now compared to last month was “night and day.”

Helen Edwards, assistant manager of the restaurant, said so far customers have been dumbfounded at how different the diner looks.

“They love it,” she said.

New features in the restaurant include a new tile floor that replaced the old carpet, modern seating, fixtures and design elements and local decor that includes a Scott Air Force Base-themed mural on one wall. Outside, the building’s exterior was totally redone.

The renovation was part of the chain’s ongoing efforts to remodel most of its locations. Hassan said the next location that he oversees that could get a facelift is the Waterloo location on Illinois Avenue.

Hassan said Denny’s restaurants undergo remodels every seven years.

The O’Fallon location will close Thursday evening ahead of the Friday grand reopening. The first 10 folks in the restaurant Friday morning will win one free Grand Slam per week for a year. The next 90 people in line will get a free Grand Slam.

This story was originally published May 12, 2016 at 12:38 PM with the headline "Look inside newly renovated Denny’s in O’Fallon."