The O’Neil’s, a pair of military veterans, are the nation’s first franchisee of the Rally Point Grille concept, originally developed by another military family in Woodstock, Georgia.
Yesterday, Fast Signs of Augusta put up the sign and the O’Neil’s and their staff got trained on food preparation.
Rally Point is in the same shopping center as Shane’s Rib Shack and across from the Evans Wal-Mart.
Their hours are 11 a.m. – 5 p.m. this week to get everyone acclimated. Food is hearty, American fare including burgers, meatloaf, grilled cheese, braised beef, sandwiches, quarter-pound hot dogs, and bratwurst.
The theme of the restaurant is to have military personnel and veterans hang up special memorabilia to provide a backdrop for civilians and veterans to share stories.
The first few items included camouflage netting that will hang in the middle of the restaurant that once was housed at the Suite 10 Restaurant and Bar. Camo netting is used generally in wartime to obscure the vision of the enemy and hide people and materials on the back of the vehicle.
The first item on the wall was donated by a local pen pal of a soldier who received it while he was in Afghanistan. Flags are often given to pilots to fly over a mission as a goodwill gift.
The O’Neil’s are from Thomson and received money from an angel investor to purchase the franchise. That angel investor has a military background and wanted to support the mission.
ABD will interview the new franchisees and the franchisor and have a full story with their comments in the next few days.
