Lack of National Chain Restaurants in the LA Basin (Riverside: house, minimum wage)

[hipcat]

There's something I noticed in the LA Basin. Compared to other Metro areas in the country. There's a lack of Big Chain Restaurants like Applebees, Olive Garden, Cracker Barrel, Texas Steakhouse, Golden Corral etc that are found in most areas of the US. Those type of chains are found in Orange Country. But not so much in LA county.

It seems like most restaurants in this basin are localy owned and independent which I consider is a good thing. Because it gets montonious seeing the same type of chain restaurant going on cross country trips. LOL

Anyone else noticed this?

[pwright1]

I noticed the same thing with all of those sit down chains. Another thing I noticed is there might be a lack of the sit down chains but there seems to be a lot of fast food chains.

[jm1982]

You can find various chains in the valley.

I don't believe there are Cracker Barrel , Golden Corral , Texas steakhouse though.not sure if you can find these in Orange County though.

Lots of independent restaurants is one of the great things about LA.

Lots of good places to eat .

Chains do serve a purpose though, and usually Provide consistency in food and service .

I have to say though that there are big parts of the valley that seem to really be lacking in restaurants . Sometimes a chain will be the only option open for a sit down non fast food meal .

A lot different from the areas that have more of a nightlife scene like hollywood ,etc .

[red4ce]

Originally Posted by hipcat

There's something I noticed in the LA Basin. Compared to other Metro areas in the country. There's a lack of Big Chain Restaurants like Applebees, Olive Garden, Cracker Barrel, Texas Steakhouse, Golden Corral etc that are found in most areas of the US. Those type of chains are found in Orange Country. But not so much in LA county.

It seems like most restaurants in this basin are localy owned and independent which I consider is a good thing. Because it gets montonious seeing the same type of chain restaurant going on cross country trips. LOL

Anyone else noticed this?

There's plenty of chain restaurants out in the suburbs. We don't have Texas Steakhouse or Cracker Barrel because those are regional, but there's no shortage of Applebees, Olive Garden, TGI Friday's, Red Lobster or Cheesecake Factory from what I can see. Some of the ethnoburbs don't have as many chains because immigrants either can't afford it or tend to prefer their own food, but overall I've never perceived us as 'lacking' in chain restaurants.

[thelopez2]

Originally Posted by hipcat

There's something I noticed in the LA Basin. Compared to other Metro areas in the country. There's a lack of Big Chain Restaurants like Applebees, Olive Garden, Cracker Barrel, Texas Steakhouse, Golden Corral etc that are found in most areas of the US. Those type of chains are found in Orange Country. But not so much in LA county.

It seems like most restaurants in this basin are localy owned and independent which I consider is a good thing. Because it gets montonious seeing the same type of chain restaurant going on cross country trips. LOL

Anyone else noticed this?

I think it is perceived less, because there are much more options. The chains are commonly found in mall commercial areas. LA has a lot of people willing to take other food types. You don't need to partner with a national chain to get acceptance and get people though the door. Also LA is filled with dreamers and self starter. Instead of paying hundreds of thousand on buildout cost for consistent branding, they invest in their own style.

But some specifics, Cracker Barrel doesn't want to pay California minimum wage. Operating a chain and franchise generally has a higher startup cost.

[Marv101]

The most-represented chains out here have plenty of locations from Woodland Hills to Riverside, including Chilis, Black Angus, Applebees, Olive Garden & others, since the rest of them don't wish to endure the very lengthy permitting process as well as our sky high prices for land.

Others have opened a location to test the market, only to fail and close up shop; think Ruby Tuesday.

[Mr_Geek]

This is a very good thing. But unfortunately I see chains everywhere in the San Gabriel Valley.

[timtemtym]

Reminds me of when I had friends visit from Minnesota. I made all these great restaurant recommendations and they insisted on going to Outback Steakhouse because they have it by their house back home and know what they like to order. I don't get that! But then again, I got happy when I went home to visit Texas and found Yogurtlan. that's one of my favorite things about LA...

[eureka1]

Originally Posted by hipcat

There's something I noticed in the LA Basin. Compared to other Metro areas in the country. There's a lack of Big Chain Restaurants like Applebees, Olive Garden, Cracker Barrel, Texas Steakhouse, Golden Corral etc that are found in most areas of the US. Those type of chains are found in Orange Country. But not so much in LA county.

It seems like most restaurants in this basin are localy owned and independent which I consider is a good thing. Because it gets montonious seeing the same type of chain restaurant going on cross country trips. LOL

Anyone else noticed this?

Count your blessings!

[yby1]

The one chain I see everywhere in LA County is CPK. After that, it's mostly lower end chains like Baja Fresh.