Isn't it a tad bit frightening to watch the numerous companies that are filing for bankruptcy? I know as a server, it's pretty scary.
In our town, we lost Don Pablos, Roadhouse Grill, and Johnny Carinos, last year. Yeah, during the "boom". Oops.
Then, of course you've heard about Bennigan's and Steak n Ale. Yep, they're gone. Next door to where I work is a Ruby Tuesday, well, they've filed for bankruptcy as well. Then there is Shell's, which I believe is only in Florida, but they've filed for Chapter 11. Sam's Seltzer's closed here a couple of weeks ago.
Wouldn't you be scared if you were a server, and were watching all these places closed. We had one opening (my friend passing away) at CB ... and we had 25 applicants in ONE day.
Usually, when it gets into the slow season, people talk about leaving and looking for new restaurants. No one did that this year. Why? Well, it's pretty obvious ... it's just not the time to go. And if you did, what are your chances that you were hired to a place listed above ... and now you're unemployed. I had a few friends who worked in some of the above places ... and they just showed up to work and there was nothing. No last paycheck, no sorry ... just a closed door and bills to pay at home.
I'll be the first to admit, my income is DOWN ...I don't even want to look at the complete totals. It's been about cutting corners ... finding a way save ... taking Juliette out of daycare to try to save some money (luckily I have AMAZING parents) ... but who's to say we aren't next.
Restaurant Closures
September 22nd, 2008 at 03:05 am
September 22nd, 2008 at 06:33 am 1222061584
September 22nd, 2008 at 07:17 am 1222064271
Good insight Baselle. Nice to look at the positive side of things when times are tough.
September 22nd, 2008 at 02:22 pm 1222089744
We have seen some closures but mainly the chains that went under, like Bennigans, but that wasn't related to the local economy. Business is booming otherwise.
September 22nd, 2008 at 02:30 pm 1222090230
Don't get me wrong, we're still going on waits at times, and some places like Chilis always have a line ... but it is NOT like it was two years ago. I can see a huge change, and I'm pretty sure it's all affected by our tourism being down, construction being blech ... I could go on and on.
"the more closings, the less competition your restaurant has"
Good insight Baselle. Nice to look at the positive side of things when times are tough. - My boss came in smiling a couple of weeks ago "I have good news, Ruby Tuesdays is filing for bankruptcy." While it's "good news" for us, since less competition means people are more willing to come to us ... I can't help but think about my friend who work for this company ... and it's not good news for them.
September 22nd, 2008 at 03:55 pm 1222095345
September 22nd, 2008 at 10:57 pm 1222120629
September 22nd, 2008 at 11:22 pm 1222122179