24 down ...

Are we finnaly starting to win the battle?
"Applebee's is closing 24 company-owned restaurants that it said are not meeting performance goals. Ten of the restaurants to be closed are in two New England states. The remainder are spread over nine states.

Applebee's will not reveal specific states because it has just started talking with the affected stores. In addition, a shareholder activist is demanding that Applebee's sell most of its 528 corporate-owned locations."

Glad to hear that 10 of the 24 are closing in my neck of the woods, New England.

Yep- It's always good when local economies can't support a business, people lose their jobs, and in turn can't pay their bills, rents, and mortgages....

I read this as well.

Yeah, businesses closing is not the news we need right now.

But I really, really hope they shut down the Applebee's near me. Maybe, just maybe, something decent would move in.

I honestly wish them well and hope they reconsider the closeings.

The way I look at it is all those patrons eating there it's better for me. Thats less people I have to compete with for a seat at some of my favorite haunts. Chow Jim

Good for them and good for Ruby Tuesday's. I think RT will survive as they have a great salad bar. My opinion only.;

Paul E. Smith
Knoxville, TN

when I was an actor, I appreciated Applebees 1/2 price munchies late at night. It was an economical way to eat out after a show - which was important, because my "salary" (such as it was) didn't allow for too much extras like eating out.

quote:

Originally posted by Ashphalt

I read this as well.

Yeah, businesses closing is not the news we need right now.

But I really, really hope they shut down the Applebee's near me. Maybe, just maybe, something decent would move in.

How about a Red Lobster or maybe even somthing better!!!!

crapplebees, good riddance,and take your buddies with you ( chillis,rubys,bertuccis,tgif,etc.) they all suck.

Can't say I will miss them......When can they close the one near us.

quote:

Originally posted by Adjudicator

quote:

Originally posted by Ashphalt

I read this as well.

Yeah, businesses closing is not the news we need right now.

But I really, really hope they shut down the Applebee's near me. Maybe, just maybe, something decent would move in.

How about a Red Lobster or maybe even somthing better!!!!

Yes, there is that possibility.

But since many of our Applebees are built on dead Ground Rounds, and Red Lobster all but pulled out of the region years ago, I still hope that maybe a local Thai or something would get the place.

But on this strip, it's more likely to become the Yugo branch of one of the 19-unit car mega-dealers.

Here is the gold standard for doing over failed chain restaurants:
http://www.hazardgrille.com/
... making the most of an old Red Lobster.

This place is excellent.

They will close under one name and open (hopefully) under local management.

With regard to the article, I find it interesting that 10 of the 24 locations to be closed are in New England, because, to me, there seems to be less chain restaurants, hell, chain anything (big box stores, Wal Mart, Home Depot etc) in New England, particularly, the northern New England states, Maine, New Hampshire, and (especially) Vermont. I wonder why this is. IMO it shows a better taste by the populace, because I think one's behaviors ultimately influence and determine local land use practices.

Oh hell, we have our fair share up here. Granted many have come and gone and many are just squeaking by but we have them.

Red Lobster has tryed it a few times with no success, just can't bring that inferior seafood to an area that is rich with great seafood spots all around us. Same story with Olive Garden, too many mom and pop Italian resaraunts serving great fare.
Most of the Sam's clubs have folded and without notice to employes I might add. They can't compete with Costco or BJ's in the area, We do have our Wally worlds though, but then again many communities have been succesfull in holding them off.

Northern New England is prety much a rual area, where the population comes and goes with the seasons. You will find the chains in the bigger citys the Bangors, Burlingtons, Concord and so on. People up in that area tend to make a monthly trip so to speak to stock up on their needs. The seasonal people bring theirs with them for the most part.
Unlike other parts of the country we also don't have the interstate highway system that many enjoy in other areas. That in it's self keeps down the urban sprall, wich is a good thing. Keeps the chains at bay. Chow Jim