O'Learys and SHUFL: A match made in heaven

8th februar 2021SHUFL Partners

Bringing Boston’s sports bar and restaurant culture to Sweden has been an undeniable success and something of a love story for longstanding SHUFL partner O’Learys Swedish founder Jonas Reinholdsson.  When Bostonian Anne O’Leary wandered into the restaurant in Nantucket where Jonas was working, little did he know that this was the start of something big. They immediately hit it off and soon Anne was following Jonas back to his Swedish homeland.

Inspired by the Boston hospitality culture, the couple opened the first O’Learys in Gothenburg in November 1988 delivering their American dream: an authentic, informal Bostonian neighbourhood sports bar experience that combines good food, drinks and sporting matches.

Fast forward a few years and the start of a shuffleboard partnership with SHUFL (or European Shuffleboard, as we were then known) that would stand the test of time.   Our premium shuffleboard tables with their ‘handcrafted- in-Texas’ American pedigree were the perfect addition to an interior decorated with Bostonian sporting memorabilia and an all-American food, drink and sporting line-up.  They also brought added value to O’Learys sporting concept with their inclusive appeal that guaranteed an entertaining night-out for all the family.

Shuffleboard has enhanced O’Learys hospitality offer and become one of the brand’s established sub-concepts, completing the O’Learys sports bar experience. Shuffleboard sits alongside mini-golf and arcade games, as well as ten-pin bowling and basketball cages at some of the larger O’Learys larger entertainment centres.

Says O’Leary’s founder, Jonas Reinholdsson: “SHUFL tables are durable commercial tables that stand the test of time – just like our partnership.  Their innovative curved playing surface brings added fun to our customer experience, extending gameplay and generating increased revenue for our venues.”

“Shuffleboard is a great fit for our brand as it is inclusive, appealing to our wide range of customers, it’s fun and it’s informal, all values are intrinsic to the O’Learys brand.  Our customers can kick-back and savour a cold beer or a cocktail, while sliding some shuffleboard pucks and working up an appetite for our classic American burgers or Tex-Mex dishes.”

The O’Learys concept has been a resounding success.  Today there are 130 bars and restaurants in 14 countries.  A variety of SHUFL tables, from the full-size Grand Champion 22 footers to the novelty Bank Shot, feature in 13 O’Leary’s venues across Sweden and 10 in Norway.

Find your nearest O’Learys here.

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