Could Beef-a-Roo Be Saved? Local Restaurant Owner Gives Rockford Hope

I never thought I'd see the day when nearly every single Beef-a-Roo location around the Rockford area would be sitting dark, but that is our current reality.

TSM

As someone who has lived in the Rockford area all my life, Beef-a-Roo isn't just another fast-food restaurant. It's part of growing up here. I can't even count how many times I've grabbed cheddar fries with friends or taken my kids for chicken strips and shakes. For decades it was one of Rockford's favorite claims to fame, and then it was sold, expanded nationally, and completely fell apart.

Seeing every location closed has honestly been heartbreaking for me.

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Like a lot of people, I'm refusing to accept that this could really be the end for Beef-a-Roo. Then I came across a Facebook post from WIFR's Aaron Wilson that gave me something I hadn't felt in weeks...hope.

My youngest daughter had a softball tournament in Roscoe this past weekend, and in the span of five days my family went to Tom & Jerry's on West Lane Road 3 times. (Twice for ice cream, once for dinner). I saw the signs about accepting Beef-a-Roo coupons. I witnessed an incredible show of support for Beef-a-Roo workers and customers.

Just when I didn't think it would be possible to love Tom & Jerry's any more, I learn that owner Robert Grottke is working hard "to keep the Beef-a-Roo brand alive", and it gave me chills.

Rockford has always rallied around its local businesses, and now is the time to do the same for Beef-a-Roo.

Obviously, nothing is guaranteed at this point, and there's a lot of things that need to happen before these restaurants could reopen, but let's keep our fingers crossed that Beef-a-Roo's next chapter has a much happier ending.