Plano based Metro Media Group to close Bennigans, Steak and Ale (Houston: home, neighborhoods)

[MaryS80]

Company-owned Bennigan's, Steak & Ales close | Front page | Chron.com - Houston Chronicle (broken link)

Effective Immediately.

[momof2dfw]

I have not been to a Bennigan's in a few years. The last time was down in the Houston area as it was close on our journey back home one evening. Before that it had been YEARS and I was not impressed at all. They don't have near the number of locations that Chilli's does nor TGIFriday's (which I prefer over the 3). I'd say some of the Chilli's locations are next. I remember years ago Bennigan's doing their big St. Patrick's Day celebrations, ads on tv and such. Maybe they should have relocated to more popular locations and kept up the gimmicks?

When was the last time any of you actually ate at a Bennigan's????

[billdfw]

Good news!

Now if we can just get the rest of the chain restaurants to close down we all would be better off!

[MaryS80]

It's been a good 4-5 years since I've been to Bennigans. The difference between Chils, Fridays, and Bennigans is negligible, which may be part of the problem. In the late 80's and early 90's they all had almost identical decor as well. Seemed to be the thing for these causal dining places to toss about random knick knacks and collectibles.

[KantLockeMeIn]

Originally Posted by billdfw

Good news!

Now if we can just get the rest of the chain restaurants to close down we all would be better off!

What impact on your life does the existance of a chain restaurant have? Simply not patronizing them should be sufficient.

[billdfw]

Originally Posted by twojciac

What impact on your life does the existance of a chain restaurant have? Simply not patronizing them should be sufficient.

The impacts are too many to list, but for starters:

• There would be many more individually owned restaurants for me to patronize.
• A little more "pride of ownership" would return to local restaurants which would be asetically pleasing to neighborhoods, cities, e
• The general population would be healthier and weigh less (and thus less medical costs coming from my tax dollars) (3,000 calorie "awesome" blosom anyone?)

[honu1]

I also have not eaten at either place in a very, very long time. Like billdfw, I prefer locally owned places when I can find them. When on the road, I'll eat a salad at Chili's if I have to but prefer not to. Come to think of it, I think its been a year since I even ate at Chili's. It has also been years since I've eaten at a TGI Fridays, Olive Garden, Macaroni Grill, Applebees (double yuck), Outback, etc. I wouldn't miss them if they were gone, but some other chain would likely just take their place.

[Big G]

Leaving aside opinions about Bennigan's food...

The impact here in DFW is that there will be many above-restaurant employees (R & D, advertising, finance, etc.) pounding the pavement. There are several other restaurant HQs around here - Brinker, Carlson, Dave & Busters to name a few - but it might be rough sledding for those folks who rode this bad boy all the way down to find a new spot with another company.

[USA_Mom]

They all taste the same to me (Friday's, Bennigan's, Chili's) so meh whatever. I feel for the staff that just showed up though. Ironically we ate at one a few weeks ago and it seemed like something was going on because there was a lady going around with a measuring tape, measuring and writing things down. It was also dead. It was around noon and there were maybe 12 customers total.

[austinnetx]

Originally Posted by billdfw

The impacts are too many to list, but for starters:

• There would be many more individually owned restaurants for me to patronize.
• A little more "pride of ownership" would return to local restaurants which would be asetically pleasing to neighborhoods, cities, e
• The general population would be healthier and weigh less (and thus less medical costs coming from my tax dollars) (3,000 calorie "awesome" blosom anyone?)

Bill, why don't you put your money where your mouth is and open a restaurant?

My guess is, given your attitude, it would fold in a few weeks.