Health & Fitness
Geno’s Not Expected to Open in Highway Rest Stops
Despite expansion of his restaurant business at the Mohegan Sun and Storrs Center, Geno is not expected to open eateries at the highway service plazas.
In February 2010, Geno Auriemma announced that he was planning to expand his Fast Break Restaurants into Interstate 95 service plazas after they are renovated.
Auriemma owns Fast Break, a basketball-themed marketplace with Italian, Mexican, Asian, Mexican, and American Cuisine which opened summer 2006 at the Mohegan Sun.
He also owns Geno’s Pub, at the Mohegan Sun that features lunch and dinner entrees.
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Auriemma is the coach of the University of Connecticut women’s basketball team which won the national title for the 2008-09 and 2009-10 seasons.
He originally anticipated opening two restaurants in plazas at Milford and based on performance, would look at other opportunities.
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This past March, the Milford northbound plaza reopened with eateries that included Subway, McDonald’s, Dunkin’ Donuts, Sbarro, Good-to-Go Organics, and Robeks Premium Smoothies.
The southbound plaza reopened with Subway, McDonald’s, Dunkin’ Donuts, Sbarro, Cheeseboy, Moe’s Southwest Grill, Panda Express, and Carvel Ice Cream.
However, neither featured a Geno’s.
When asked about the possibility of Geno Auriemma’s Fast Break Restaurants opening at some of the plazas in the future, Mike Modine, Director of Operations for Project Service, LLC, said, “With regards to Geno’s and other tenants, we continue to keep our options open to offer a variety of concepts in the plazas. At this time we do not have a deal with Geno’s.”
At the time, it was announced the restaurant would be a “more upscale option” at the plazas that would be better suited to “sit-down dinners than the other tenants”.
Since making that announcement, Auriemma has expanded his operations in other ways.
In 2011, Auriemma expanded his dining operations in the Mohegan Sun with a Geno’s Bagels, Subs, and Sweets featuring signature sandwiches, paninis, and bagels. He also opened a Wok-On with Chinese food favorites.
In April 2012, Auriemma announced he would be opening a new location in Storrs Center with an “upscale/casual” restaurant with seating for over 100 people. The latest reports show the restaurant will open this winter after an originally scheduled fall 2012 opening.
