Many of the major changes taking place at Bennigan's include interior and exterior design upgrades. Restaurants have been made brighter and feature patio-style outdoor dining.

The outdated sports memorabilia has been replaced by sophisticated wood paneling. CEO Paul Mangiamele said he wants to create "the unchained chain" to appeal to more neighborhood diners.

Flat-screen TVs have been added to the restaurant as well as sight-lines into the kitchen. In its heyday, Bennigan's had more than 270 restaurants in its system, but two recessions have put a financial squeeze on the chain.

Other changes to the Bennigan's brand include interior and exterior upgrades, menu optimization, service enhancements and a focus to enter the non-traditional sector with a fast casual model, Bennigan's on the Fly.

Exterior upgrades include patio-style seating and a more sophisticated design. The changes are all about "building sales, legendary service and food, market penetration and bringing the brand back to its former stature," said CEO Paul Mangiamele.