Feb. 16, 2024

A Sioux Falls real estate agent and entrepreneur has opened a Boss’ Pizzeria & Sports Bar franchise in an Okoboji resort.

The restaurant has taken over the former Minervas space in Arrowwood Resort & Conference Center, which closed when the hotel came under new ownership, said Dave Dreessen, an agent at Alpine Real Estate. Okoboji is a popular lake area in northwest Iowa about 90 miles east of Sioux Falls.

Boss’ opened in late January and will add carryout and delivery after the needed equipment arrives to help handle the additional sales, Dreessen said. He’s hoping to add the services in early March.

After Minervas closed, Dreessen added 14 TVs and remodeled the space “to make it look like a classy sports bar.”

“I had everything painted, had it all cleaned. We have new barstools in the restaurant and got over 40 pieces of sports memorabilia added.”

Together, the restaurant and sports bar seat more than 200 diners.

“I really like the setup of the restaurant,” he said. “You can have different setups. We can host big parties. There are booths for smaller groups and couples.”

The resort, which offers indoor and outdoor pools and three 9-hole golf courses, draws a lot of families. To take advantage of that, Dreessen has added a game room called Finn’s Fun Zone, which is named after his son.

The hotel, which will be renamed Lake Okoboji Reosrt & Conference Center, has seven event halls, and Dreessen said he’ll have a separate catering division to provide food for events.

“It will be a different menu but prepared in the same kitchen,” he said, noting that there will be a banquet chef. Options such as prime rib and different types of chicken will be available. If clients want to serve Boss’ pizza and broasted chicken, those will be options too.

Boss’ has a full liquor license, so in addition to beer and wine, it also serves cocktails.

Dreessen is anticipating a busy summer with hotel guests, other tourists and seasonal residents. The restaurant has a patio along the golf course, and Boss’ will take advantage of that.

“I’m excited about summertime patio events. … Boss’ Pizzeria and Sports Bar will be a really good fit for the golf course and the hotel.”

Dreessen, who is a partner in Clean Ride Auto Spa and The Clean Bean in south Sioux Falls, said he’s part of a networking group with Adam Wilka, Boss’ franchise acquisition manager.

“I had put a bug in his ear if he ever came across a good opportunity that I’d like to hear about it. He had a person in mind to run it. Okoboji is a place I’m familiar with, and one thing led to another.”

That operational partner is Chase Robers, who recently spent six months helping another new Boss’ franchise – one in North Platte, Nebraska – get started.

Boss’ has two other franchise locations, and Jeremy Seefeldt, who started Boss’ Pizza & Chicken in 2005, owns seven locations, including the two in Sioux Falls.

Dreessen grew up in Luverne, Minnesota, which is about 70 miles northwest of Okoboji, and remembers going there as a child.

“We would go there on occasion and visit family and friends,” he said. He also made trips to Okoboji with friends while attending college in Dordt, Iowa, about 70 miles to the southwest.

“I still have buddies that will get together and golf in Okoboji.”

Dreessen said he has always liked Boss’ pizza and chicken.

“One thing I like about Boss’ is they have over 35 specialty pizzas,” he said. “In the first two weeks, a customer made a comment that they enjoy trying new pizzas. … Having a large menu is refreshing, to have a little variety.”