Meet John and Lynn Offerdahl of Offerdahl’s Off-The-Grill

Today we’d like to introduce you to John and Lynn Offerdahl.

Offerdahl’s Off-The-Grill is a quick-casual restaurant created and owned by former Miami Dolphins linebacker, John Offerdahl & his wife, Lynn. At Offerdahl’s, John’s passion for grilling and Lynn’s chef-inspired recipes collide in a menu featuring just-grilled chicken, steak, salmon & shrimp served over greens, grains & sandwiches and topped-off with fresh veggies, herbs, signature dressings & sauces.

From 1986 to 1994, John was a 5x Pro-Bowl linebacker for the Miami Dolphins in the NFL. During his 8-year career, he captained the defense under Hall of Fame Coach Don Shula and QB Dan Marino. In 1990, John, who graduated with a biochemistry major and Lynn, an art major with a passion for health and cooking, decided to open Offerdahl’s Bagel Gourmet, a small bagel shop in Weston, FL. They went on to open 10 bagel shops before merging with 3 other regional bagel makers under Boston Market to create a National Bagel Brand, Einsteins Bagel Bros. in 1995.

After too much golf and charity engagement, John missed the restaurant business with its fan engagement, and player interaction and decided he wanted to get back on the eating field! His passion for grilling in the backyard and at tailgates drove him to notice there was a lack of just-grilled items served in a quick-casual format. Offerdahl’s Off-The-Grill was born! The famous Johnny O’s fresh bagels were incorporated into an all-day menu Off-The-Grill!

We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
Definitely NOT a smooth road! Anyone in the restaurant business knows that it is multiple of businesses in one— it involves manufacturing, service, technology, marketing, social media, etc.. In the 25 + years we have been in business we have seen the restaurant world change at lightning speed. Keeping up with and adjusting to all those changes has been the challenge.

So, as you know, we’re impressed with Offerdahl’s Off-The-Grill – tell our readers more, for example what you’re most proud of as a company and what sets you apart from others.
John focuses on operations and the nuts & bolts of the business. Lynn drives the menu and the marketing. We are most proud of our food, fans & players.

Our food is made-to-order, fresh-off-the-grill and topped with homemade delicious dressings & sauces. You can order marinated chicken, seasoned steak, sustainable salmon, shrimp, sirloin burger or our vegetarian items just-off-the grill and onto greens, grains or sandwiches. We also offer a unique breakfast with eggs-off-the-grill, platters, sandwiches and bowls alongside Johnny O’s famous fresh-baked bagels.

Our fans are so loyal—some come in three times a day! We get to know their names, families, dogs etc. They are what make the food business so rewarding. They want to get more out of their food choices—more energy, nutrient-rich calories, flavor and fun and we try to give them more—Live Life Off-The-Grill! is our tagline and we believe when you do you will feel GREAT about your dining decision.

Our players are what really motivates us. Our little team is truly a family with many of our members still working alongside us for 20 + years. We celebrate new births, weddings, birthdays as well as pull together in times of trial.

So, what’s next? Any big plans?
We just completed a newly updated website, online ordering and are now available through Uber Eats. We are getting ready to launch a customer loyalty program to give fans a nudge to come back! We are excited to be opening an Offerdahl’s Off-The-Grill in the Ft. Lauderdale Airport by the summer in terminal 1. Of course, we are always on the hunt for new great locations as well.

One of the most exciting & gratifying things we do has been to put on a non-profit Food & Wine Festival for the past 8 years in Pompano Beach Florida. The Gridiron Grill-Off Food & Wine Festival is where NFL legends team-up with top chefs to vie for fan votes as they eat & drink. (www.gridirongrilloff.com). Proceeds benefit Offerdahl’s Hand-Off Foundation and its mission to “Feed the Needs of Kids in Crisis” who are fatherless and homeless in our community. Housing is provided through the foundation’s Home Team Advantage Restorative Housing program (www.htadvantage.org).

Contact Info:

• Website: Offerdahls.com
• Phone: Varies by location
• Email: info@offerdahls.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/offerdahlsotg/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/offerdahls/
• Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/offerdahls-off-the-grill-weston?osq=Offerdahl%27s+Off-The-Grill

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