NEW ALBANY, Ohio – If you can’t beat ‘em, offer bacon. That’s the strategy at Bob Evans Restaurants, which is working to revamp its menu and rollout new products to increase traffic at its 527 restaurants.

Beginning Sept. 14, guests will be treated to a complimentary slice of candied bacon with the purchase of a regular entrée.

The candied bacon is part of a new marketing push by the company that includes the re-introduction of the Farm Boy, the original sausage sandwich served at the first Bob Evans Restaurant in Rio Grande, Ohio. The Farm Boy consists of a Bob Evans sausage patty topped with cheddar cheese, sautéed onions and pickles, served on a Kaiser roll.

“Today, there is a lot of nostalgia for the way things used to be and we are taking our cues from our loyal customers who appreciate the Bob Evans’ values of authenticity, hospitality and farm-fresh goodness,” said John Fisher, president of Bob Evans Farms, LLC. “Our new menu and product introductions combine the traditional with the contemporary and allow us to build a better Bob Evans.”

Other new menu items include:

 • Bob Evans Burger – An Angus beef burger on a brioche bun topped with bacon, cheese, lettuce, tomato, Sriracha-avocado mayo and topped with a fried egg;

 • Steakhouse Burger – Topped with smoked bacon, grilled mushrooms and onions, cheese and steak sauce;

 • Veggie Omelet – Includes fresh vegetables and shredded cheddar cheese;

The chain will also introduce a redesigned, streamlined menu with a new “Build-Your-Own” option.

“The new menu is a welcome addition to the tools we are using to evolve Bob Evans Restaurants,” said Saed Mohseni, CEO. “Throughout the year, we have been concentrating on the critical role hospitality and food quality plays as we improve our restaurant business. The new menu design is an important guest touch point for communicating those changes.”