Are Your Favorite Restaurants Being Shut Down? Who Is To Blame?

[koshergrl]

Maybe they’re closing down because the food sucks.

Not everyone sucks. The ones mentioned in the vid were favorite chains. They were successful. The change has to do with millennials' spending habits and restaurant choices. Some don't fit their preferences, but many are closing because they're not spending money to go out and eat at good places.

Perhaps their definition of "good places" is different than yours.

I'm going by the numbers and the types of restaurants. It could be that a few went bad, but the breadth of the restaurants mean something else. It sounds generational, so I looked into why the millennials weren't eating out more. They were carrying high student loan debts and hadn't got a job after graduation for some time. Events from the Obama years. They also use Instagram more and you had to serve good looking food or it wouldn't generate excitement, reposts and word of mouth. I suppose this is true. I was looking up a steakhouse on yelp just now after seeing it rated on buzzfeed video. What bothered me was people commenting they gave it low ratings because their meat was served cold. That would be a turnoff for a high priced steak. These were probably older diners like me. I had to look at the photos; You take your chances with a mixed review. The millenials are eating more healthy, so steakhouses aren't their type of restaurant. I can understand that. We're talking about iHop, Denny's and other eateries that are found practically everywhere and have served one generation to another.

When I was young everybody went to the local Denny's when the bars closed. So everybody would bounce around the bars all night, then meet up again at Denny's and the party would continue only without booze, in bright light, add pancakes and chicken fried steak. People would move from table to table just like they were still at the bar, it was hilarious. We even had tiny juke boxes at the tables.

 

[koshergrl]

The only chains that are worth it are Outback and, for breakfast, IHOP. Otherwise, it's mom-and-pop's.

Au contraire.

Taco Bell offers the finest in Mexican cuisine, Olive Garden and Godfathers are fantastic for Italian delicacies. Bojangles serves exquisite chicken in the south.

My stuffed gnocchi was pretty freaking good, and I've had authentic Italian gnocchi....

 

[Fort Fun Indiana]

Totally flawed analysis. It's not that people cannot afford to go out to eat, it is that they choose to spend their money on other things. Today, every family has a cell plan that runs in the hundreds of dollars. 20 years ago, every house had a landline that cost, perhaps, $50/mo. 20 years ago a family might have a few TVs, with some of them being 20 years old. Now every family has newer, smart TVs. Housing and transportation expenses continue to rise as a percentage of household income. Going out to eat used to be as much a function of entertainment as of hunger. Now we are more content to stay home and enjoy our video game consoles and streaming services.

 

[Lysistrata]

The only chains that are worth it are Outback and, for breakfast, IHOP. Otherwise, it's mom-and-pop's.

Outback might be my least favorite of the all, they make the worst steaks. I would rather eat a stake burrito at Taco Bell than go to Outback

The steaks aren't that bad. I like the onion and their shrimp dishes, though, as chains go. Steak chains are a toss-up.

Around here, the stand-alones are the best. RT's, Mt. Vernon Ave., Alexandria, VA. The best of Cajun, for example.

 

[james bond]

"This is a trend in the USA, not so much the wealthier other nations."

What other nations have an overbuilt segment of corporate owned, cookie-cutter restaurants like the USA does?

Look at the research on how often people dine out. It is still high. It is just that people want more than a fern bar with a cheesy menu.

All around, I see my favorite chain restaurants and once popular sole proprietorship restaurants closing its doors. It's due to the Millennials and their preference for fast, casual dining and home cooking. Now, I know these people work hard and long hours, so how is it that they cannot afford to treat themselves to a longer, better, more formal or buffet dining experience? These types of restaurants are more expensive than fast or fast-casual foods and one usually leaves a tip, but these places aren't exactly budget busters. If the US had more than 3% annual GDP growth during the Obama years, then we may not be in this mess now. These restaurants didn't see it coming. This is a trend in the USA, not so much the wealthier other nations.

It seems that it is important to vote for the right POTUS and politicians. Obama may have ruined it for one generation as they could not get decent jobs. Once the Millennials graduated, they ended up with high college loans and high taxes in order to support the poor immigrants. The lesson? Never vote for a socialist POTUS or politician again. Let the Canadians eat the fast-casual and fast foods. Now, I'm not against immigration. To the contrary, I am for it. Immigration is one of the keys to real GDP growth, but we can't just let anybody in like criminals and terrorists. Moderation is key and that means border control and immigration management. These restaurants need workers and people who will pick their foods and people who are willing to make better of themselves -- the working poor. These are the ideas that the USA was founded upon. Capitalism works.

It is not that they cannot afford them, it is they have different dining preferences. My daughter is a Millennial and she and her boy friend eat out a lot, way more than I do or even ever did. But they are not looking for a fancy, sit down take 2 hour meal.

When we went to visit her this summer (the first time we went to her, normally she came home to us) she took us to all of her favorites places, it was the best food I had eaten in a long time. Yeah, they were loud and a couple had more drink choices than food choices, but the food was amazing in everyone of them.

Did you have avocado toast? Yeah, I have a millennial son and his eating places are much different. His idea of going out is ordering online, free delivery and eating in. Even going out, these were places I wouldn't normally try, let alone know about, so that's how I got into looking at where they frequent. What popped up were the long-time chains and buffets going out of business including Subway. The downside. There may be other reasons, but one of the reasons was high college debt and not being able to get a job for months, years after graduation. It could be these places are going to pop up on Instagram, too. Yelp, yes. Instagram, no.

Okay, one of the big things is millennials have to learn how to save or spend less than what they make. I even looked at one gal and what she spent money on. She spent too much on things that you and I would've scrimped on while on our first jobs. Part of it could be they don't know how to save or make do with less. I can't find the article again, but here are a couple of examples.

Good and Bad
10 Things Millennials Buy Far More Often Than Everyone Else

Fitness?
This Study Says Millennials Spend More Money On Fitness Than On College, But Do They?

We wouldn't rent that long
Millennials Spend About $93,000 on Rent by The Time They Hit 30

 

[Seawytch]

I still miss Sizzler's. Sigh.

They aren’t gone.

 

[emilynghiem]

All around, I see my favorite chain restaurants and once popular sole proprietorship restaurants closing its doors. It's due to the Millennials and their preference for fast, casual dining and home cooking. Now, I know these people work hard and long hours, so how is it that they cannot afford to treat themselves to a longer, better, more formal or buffet dining experience? These types of restaurants are more expensive than fast or fast-casual foods and one usually leaves a tip, but these places aren't exactly budget busters. If the US had more than 3% annual GDP growth during the Obama years, then we may not be in this mess now. These restaurants didn't see it coming. This is a trend in the USA, not so much the wealthier other nations.

It seems that it is important to vote for the right POTUS and politicians. Obama may have ruined it for one generation as they could not get decent jobs. Once the Millennials graduated, they ended up with high college loans and high taxes in order to support the poor immigrants. The lesson? Never vote for a socialist POTUS or politician again. Let the Canadians eat the fast-casual and fast foods. Now, I'm not against immigration. To the contrary, I am for it. Immigration is one of the keys to real GDP growth, but we can't just let anybody in like criminals and terrorists. Moderation is key and that means border control and immigration management. These restaurants need workers and people who will pick their foods and people who are willing to make better of themselves -- the working poor. These are the ideas that the USA was founded upon. Capitalism works.

I hated to see BlackEyedPea shut down.

When I first read in the news about a historic sewing/fabric company shutting down on the East Coast, and then a historic "General Store," I thought there should be program to buy out historic businesses and create training storefronts for Vets or student interns on how to run operations. So while the business may still operate
at a loss or nonprofit breaking even, the value of keeping it going would be as an educational workshop to train people in what steps
and processes are involved in management. That way they can learn what fails and loses, without having to really set up and lose a business. The business storefront or factory grounds can be part of a campus program, similar to the Hotel/Restaurant at UH campus that is part of its management program but actually run as a business serving customers and clients.
Once they learn how to operate successfully, THAT's when they can branch off and set up their own business having already gone down that curve.

So why not use sites left behind by Walmart's moving out of towns.
Why not buy out restaurants and businesses that close, and set up campuses for
Vets, disabled or disadvantaged students to learn on hands work and management skills
while they are earning their education as interns?

Maybe we can still save historic sites and districts by using the shells left behind,
and the business following to support education in property mgmt and financial viability.

 

[Harpy Eagle]

"This is a trend in the USA, not so much the wealthier other nations."

What other nations have an overbuilt segment of corporate owned, cookie-cutter restaurants like the USA does?

Look at the research on how often people dine out. It is still high. It is just that people want more than a fern bar with a cheesy menu.

All around, I see my favorite chain restaurants and once popular sole proprietorship restaurants closing its doors. It's due to the Millennials and their preference for fast, casual dining and home cooking. Now, I know these people work hard and long hours, so how is it that they cannot afford to treat themselves to a longer, better, more formal or buffet dining experience? These types of restaurants are more expensive than fast or fast-casual foods and one usually leaves a tip, but these places aren't exactly budget busters. If the US had more than 3% annual GDP growth during the Obama years, then we may not be in this mess now. These restaurants didn't see it coming. This is a trend in the USA, not so much the wealthier other nations.

It seems that it is important to vote for the right POTUS and politicians. Obama may have ruined it for one generation as they could not get decent jobs. Once the Millennials graduated, they ended up with high college loans and high taxes in order to support the poor immigrants. The lesson? Never vote for a socialist POTUS or politician again. Let the Canadians eat the fast-casual and fast foods. Now, I'm not against immigration. To the contrary, I am for it. Immigration is one of the keys to real GDP growth, but we can't just let anybody in like criminals and terrorists. Moderation is key and that means border control and immigration management. These restaurants need workers and people who will pick their foods and people who are willing to make better of themselves -- the working poor. These are the ideas that the USA was founded upon. Capitalism works.

It is not that they cannot afford them, it is they have different dining preferences. My daughter is a Millennial and she and her boy friend eat out a lot, way more than I do or even ever did. But they are not looking for a fancy, sit down take 2 hour meal.

When we went to visit her this summer (the first time we went to her, normally she came home to us) she took us to all of her favorites places, it was the best food I had eaten in a long time. Yeah, they were loud and a couple had more drink choices than food choices, but the food was amazing in everyone of them.

Did you have avocado toast? Yeah, I have a millennial son and his eating places are much different. His idea of going out is ordering online, free delivery and eating in. Even going out, these were places I wouldn't normally try, let alone know about, so that's how I got into looking at where they frequent. What popped up were the long-time chains and buffets going out of business including Subway. The downside. There may be other reasons, but one of the reasons was high college debt and not being able to get a job for months, years after graduation. It could be these places are going to pop up on Instagram, too. Yelp, yes. Instagram, no.

Okay, one of the big things is millennials have to learn how to save or spend less than what they make. I even looked at one gal and what she spent money on. She spent too much on things that you and I would've scrimped on while on our first jobs. Part of it could be they don't know how to save or make do with less. I can't find the article again, but here are a couple of examples.

Good and Bad
10 Things Millennials Buy Far More Often Than Everyone Else

Fitness?
This Study Says Millennials Spend More Money On Fitness Than On College, But Do They?

We wouldn't rent that long
Millennials Spend About $93,000 on Rent by The Time They Hit 30

They are different that is for sure. They view the world differently than we did, but than I do so differently than my parents did. I think they are given a bad rap far more than they deserve. My daughter called me a couple months ago because in the craziness that is nursing school she was 3 days late paying her electric bill and she was worried it would hurt her credit!

When we were visiting last month she took us to what was essentially a tequila bar with a food menu. They had about 9 varieties of street tacos and it was some of the best food I have ever eaten. Would have never walked into the place on my own, but they knew about it and the food was simply to die for.

We saw houses as the goal, as the sign we made it. Today more and more people see owning a home as an anchor they do not want. If a job opens up 3 states away they want to be able to go get it. Multiple studies have shown that home ownership slowed the recovery as much as anything. People were upside down on their homes and could not move to where the jobs where.

I am in my mid-50s and have chosen to rent the current house I am in vice buying. My wife and I knew we only wanted a house this large for 4 years till my son graduated high school. large kitchen for me to cook in and a huge basement for the teenage boys to spend their time in. Our rent is less than what a mortgage and property taxes would be and we live worry free. When the roof needed replaced, it was not our $3500, or our $1000 to fix the water main in the front yard.

 

[Preacher]

For breakfast out me and wife eat at 2 different local places or we eat Chic Fil A.

 

[flewism]

When I was young everybody went to the local Denny's when the bars closed. So everybody would bounce around the bars all night, then meet up again at Denny's and the party would continue only without booze, in bright light, add pancakes and chicken fried steak. People would move from table to table just like they were still at the bar, it was hilarious. We even had tiny juke boxes at the tables.

We did the same thing only at a Ram's Horn,

 

[ABikerSailor]

When I was young everybody went to the local Denny's when the bars closed. So everybody would bounce around the bars all night, then meet up again at Denny's and the party would continue only without booze, in bright light, add pancakes and chicken fried steak. People would move from table to table just like they were still at the bar, it was hilarious. We even had tiny juke boxes at the tables.

We did the same thing only at a Ram's Horn,

Here in Amarillo, after 2:00 am, the place to be is at Waffle House. If you go by one at around 2:30 am, there are no places to sit, because it's been taken over by the drunks.

 

[Pogo]

When I was young everybody went to the local Denny's when the bars closed. So everybody would bounce around the bars all night, then meet up again at Denny's and the party would continue only without booze, in bright light, add pancakes and chicken fried steak. People would move from table to table just like they were still at the bar, it was hilarious. We even had tiny juke boxes at the tables.

We did the same thing only at a Ram's Horn,

Here in Amarillo, after 2:00 am, the place to be is at Waffle House. If you go by one at around 2:30 am, there are no places to sit, because it's been taken over by the drunks.

Ew.

Much as I hate to go hungry ---- I'd rather go hungry.

 

[Hutch Starskey]

All around, I see my favorite chain restaurants and once popular sole proprietorship restaurants closing its doors. It's due to the Millennials and their preference for fast, casual dining and home cooking. Now, I know these people work hard and long hours, so how is it that they cannot afford to treat themselves to a longer, better, more formal or buffet dining experience? These types of restaurants are more expensive than fast or fast-casual foods and one usually leaves a tip, but these places aren't exactly budget busters. If the US had more than 3% annual GDP growth during the Obama years, then we may not be in this mess now. These restaurants didn't see it coming. This is a trend in the USA, not so much the wealthier other nations.

It seems that it is important to vote for the right POTUS and politicians. Obama may have ruined it for one generation as they could not get decent jobs. Once the Millennials graduated, they ended up with high college loans and high taxes in order to support the poor immigrants. The lesson? Never vote for a socialist POTUS or politician again. Let the Canadians eat the fast-casual and fast foods. Now, I'm not against immigration. To the contrary, I am for it. Immigration is one of the keys to real GDP growth, but we can't just let anybody in like criminals and terrorists. Moderation is key and that means border control and immigration management. These restaurants need workers and people who will pick their foods and people who are willing to make better of themselves -- the working poor. These are the ideas that the USA was founded upon. Capitalism works.

Or people just want good food.

 

[Hutch Starskey]

Where is there not a Sizzlers? I know of half a dozen right off.
Home cooking and millennials so not belong in the same sentence. Millennials rely on door dash and grub hub. That's the future.

There used to be more, though, and they were a lot more swanky. We had one in Pendleton for years but they closed up shop around 2000 I think. Adieu!!!

Swanky Sizzlers?

 

[buttercup]

I live in Mexico, and no, my favorite restaurants have not shut down. But I don't go out to eat as often as I used to, and for me the reason is because I went vegan two years ago. And when you're eating healthier foods (and certain types of foods that you can't get at just any restaurant), you kind of have to cook for yourself. The amazing thing is, I used to hate to cook and I rarely cooked anything beyond easy stuff… But now, I've grown to love cooking and trying new recipes, which is something I never thought I would do.

 

[MisterBeale]

That's the same around here.


The mom & pop places are never threatened.

They stay in business until the proprietors sell or they retire. It is the chains that are always struggling.

Chains are very successful in tourist locations like Florida. People travel there, since they are in a hotel they can't cook for themselves, so they look for someplace they are familiar with.

I have travelled through most of the country

In the northeast and many urban areas you find many ethnic and mom and pop options

In rural areas, locals seem to prefer the chain restaurants

You don't know shit about what locals prefer in rural areas.

What is it.........Denny’s or Waffle House?

Lanny's.

'cept May still can't make a decent cup of jo.

 

[MisterBeale]

I wouldn't care if every single chain in the OP video closed, except Arby's .

Without chains, Florida turns into a vast swamp. It's all there is.

That is way so many people think, but so not true. Spent a week at Ponte Verda beach this past August and ate like kings and never once looked at a chain!

The Reef on South Ponte Verda Beach was simply amazing, if you are ever in that area I would recommend it 100%.

I have to be paid to even set foot in Florida. Heavily.

It is a nice place to vacation, especially since my daughter now lives there and her brother wants to follow her when he graduates.

I don't know, I've heard the downhill and xcross country skiing stinks there. . . . .

 

[Rustic]

The hipsters are going to hipster joints… And eating marijuana brownies

 

[Papageorgio]

Restaurant biz is super competitive . Those chain shops that closed where mostly overpriced with sub par food .

Which chain shops closed?

 

[Papageorgio]

We rarely dine out, we prefer good home tasty cooking.