P.J. Whelihan’s has hit a special milestone as it celebrates its 40th year in the Philadelphia region, writes Stacy Wescoe for Central Penn Business Journal.

The PJW Restaurant Group first launched in 1983 with just a single restaurant in Lehighton. At that time Bob Platzer called it Platz’s.

Ten years later he opened an Allentown restaurant under the name of P.J. Whelihan’s and since then PJW Restaurant Group has added 23 restaurants under the P.J. Whelihan brand across the Lehigh Valley, Philadelphia, and South Jersey regions.

The restaurant chain is known for its wings, nachos, and burgers as well as its large variety of beers on tap.

CEO Jim Fris said that the company has plans for continual growth with many more locations.

On what keeps customers coming back, Fris said, “It’s a combination of good food, good service, and reasonable prices.”

He added that a fun atmosphere and friendly staff are also important ingredients to success in the restaurant industry.

“If you went out to a restaurant and you didn’t have fun for your money you’re not going to go back,” he said.

Fris said that the restaurants have grown to be not only popular neighborhood pubs but also sports destinations.

P.J. Whelihan’s Conshohocken restaurant has fifty 86-inch television screens for watching the game.

Read more about P.J. Whelihan’s 40th Anniversary in Central Penn Business Journal.

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