Benni-gone and Steak and Ail
August 13th, 2008 by Larry Bailin
Two of my favorite restaurant chains have fallen victim to the economy and possibly disconnected marketing. Bennigan’s and Steak & Ale have filed for Chapter 7 bankruptcy protection and stores owned by its parent company will shut their doors.
The news appeared to be a shock to most of the company’s employees, but some may have had an inkling that the company was not doing well. Steve, a Bennigan’s waiter in Plano Texas, said he recently went from making $30 on a good lunch shift to only $10. “Business has been slow,” said Steve, who said he relies on tips. “I went from making a lot of money on a shift to making very little.
I’ve shared many a laugh and a meal within the walls of these two restaurants and I’m sad to see them go. I fear this is just the beginning for the restaurant industry unless a major marketing mind shift takes place.
At first glance the closing of these two casual dining mainstays seems to be indicative of the economy. Sure the economy has something to do with it but I’m not 100% convinced all the blame lies on the economic downturn.
August 14th, 2008 at 3:27 pm
I was once a waiter at Bennigan’s and lets just say it wasn’t my calling. $30 dollars is probably about the best I ever made, even when working 12 hour shifts. Had nothing to do with the economy, I was just a horrible waiter. Others would make $150-200 on any given night, just not me.
I was so bad, that my girl friend and her brother came in for dinner one night, and the ended up complaining to my manager about the horrible service I gave them. Seriously…
August 14th, 2008 at 3:41 pm
Remember, the waiter in the blog post was from Texas…
…Everything’s bigger in Texas
August 14th, 2008 at 8:52 pm
Hey Alex, you are a helluva a programmer though!