The Fieldhouse Sports Grill and Tavern will be opening soon in Blackhawk Plaza. A family-friendly, sports-themed restaurant being run by local guys anxious to cater to anyone who has ever looked for somewhere to eat following a little league game, soccer match or swim meet. An eating establishment whose goal is to provide its customers with high quality affordable food, plenty of sports filled TV screens and a place where, “cleats are welcome”. What will make the Fieldhouse truly unique are the ownership group’s plans to donate a portion of each meal back to the organization of the eater’s choice. Proprietor, Mike Banducci says, “We want to build customer loyalty by giving back to all of the teams instead of just sponsoring one event here and there.”
Mike Banducci, 43 and a resident of San Ramon, was frustrated that he, his wife and daughters couldn’t find a family friendly place to eat after the girl’s sporting events. “I wanted a place we could go after a game when the kids were still wearing their uniforms. Somewhere fun, affordable with diverse meal and beverage choices was also important,” Mike says. “We couldn’t find what we wanted and were growing tired of the same old restaurant options, so I thought why not open one myself.”
Banducci, who grew up in Cupertino, is a former civil engineer and real estate developer. As a partner at Bancor Properties, Mike was instrumental in the acquisition and entitlement of such mixed-use projects as Tralee and San Ramon Village in Dublin. During a self-imposed hiatus from development, Mike worked for friend and Fieldhouse partner, Eric Janssen, at Amber Bistro in Danville. “I was interested in learning all aspects of the restaurant business, from dishwashing and food prep to cooking on the line. I also learned about food inventory, cost control and interacting with vendors. The restaurant experience proved to be opportunistic when Mike when he and Rob Price, another Fieldhouse partner, were involved in fundraising endeavors at Coyote Creek Elementary.
Several local area restaurants occasionally work with non-profit organizations to fundraise. The typical arrangement involves the restaurant donating a portion of the proceeds over a designated block of time on a certain date. “We talked about opening a restaurant with local sports team memorabilia on the walls and where donating a portion of each diner’s bill toward the youth sports program of their choice was part of our culture,” says Price
The Banducci family has also been active in youth sports since Mike’s two daughters, Mia, 14 and Averi, 12, became old enough to walk. The girls have played soccer, softball, lacrosse, basketball, little league baseball, golf and even participated in the NFL’s Punt, Pass and Kick competition. Mike has coached many of his girl’s teams and served on the school PTA board. “We are always trying to come up with new ideas to raise money. The Fieldhouse will be an easy ongoing way to support your team/league, group or school.” Price, who’s four kids are very active in the local sports programs and whose wife, Renata, has long been active on the PTA and other school activities. “The fact that the Fieldhouse will offer leagues (or individual teams) with 501-3C status a chance to register as a participating partner and every time someone affiliated with the organization eats at the restaurant, a portion of their bill will be routed to a designated fund is unlike anything else in the restaurant landscape right now,” adds Rob.
Mike’s wife, Lynn, who owns and operates Tassajara Learning Center in Danville, a preschool for children between the ages of two and five, is a big supporter of the Fieldhouse for the same reasons any mom would appreciate it. “I love that there will be a Gluton free menu and healthier pre and post game food options for the kids. Mike, Rob and Eric keep coming up with so many great ideas for the restaurant targeting just what is needed in the community given the popularity of youth sports in the Tri Valley.”
The Fieldhouse will not only show real time sporting events on their twenty-plus flat screen television screens, but also be able to show game films on their big screen or in a private team room. “We look forward to teams coming in directly following a game, match or meet to watch their most recent competition while having a meal,” Banducci says. One of the promotions that Banducci and his partners have come up with is the team that raises the most money for their team at the Fieldhouse, during their season, can earn up to $500 which will go toward a team party at the venue.
“Ultimately, I want to build a place where people want to stop by because they know they’ll get something good to eat, run into friends and have a good time. I’ll really be proud if we can create an experience that the community will embrace and support,” Banducci states. Given the number of kids who participate in Mustang Soccer, SRVGAL softball, VSA swimming, Danville and San Ramon Valley little leagues, Scorpion Lacrosse, not to mention cheer, dance, football, track and field, volleyball and band, the Fieldhouse has a tremendous target market and the fundraising element should be a key draw. If Mike Banducci and his partners execute their plan successfully, I can see a string of Fieldhouse Sports Grills popping up in communities everywhere.
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