When many balked at the cost of such renovations, the company suggested a less expensive option with flourishes like jukeboxes and outfitting servers in bowling shirts. By the end of 2000, 342 Denny's had adopted this approach, while another 64 made the switch to the steel exteriors, according to Denny's 2000 annual report. • That report projected "systemwide remodeling of Denny's" to the diner concept "over the next few years," but the chain abandoned the plan, along with the slogan, a few years later. Today, 55 retro Denny's diners with the steel exteriors remain, all but one owned by franchisees. Mr. McGuinness, of Gotham, stressed that for the new campaign there is nothing nostalgic about the ads.