• by Teresa Buyikian , 11 hours ago

A restaurant chain popular for family dining is rolling out a new game designed to keep the family entertained as well as fed.

Perkins Restaurant and Bakery has dropped Perkins menu-inspired Mahjong sets, designed for customers to play while dining.

The centuries-old game has seen a recent surge in popularity among Gen Z and millennials, according to a recent CNN report, as folks move away from screens in exchange for more tactile, face-to-face interactions with friends and family.

The brand and agency Arcadia tapped an independent artist on Etsy to create the Mahjong set, with tiles that depict various menu items like pancakes, bacon, pie and coffee, along with Perkins storefronts.

“Perkins has always been a place where generations come together, whether it's over a stack of pancakes, a slice of pie or a cup of coffee,” said Matt Carpenter, brand president for Perkins Restaurant and Bakery, in a release. “Mahjong captures that same spirit of connection. It gives people a reason to sit down, put their phones away and spend time together, and we are excited to bring a Perkins twist to a game with so much heritage.”

Th brand is promoting the set via social and digital posts, in-store events and a microsite, seen here, where customers can also enter to win their own custom Mahjong set. A limited number of sets will also be available for purchase in-store.

First launched just outside Cincinnati in 1958 by brothers Matt and Ivan Perkins, the fast casual all-day breakfast chain has approximately 300 locations in 29 states across North America. Parent Ascent Hospitality Management, which also owns sister brand Huddle House, purchased Perkins out of bankruptcy in 2019.