Fast food franchises in Corktown/Greektown/Downtown (Detroit, Hamtramck: middle-class, loans)

[UnemployedFinanceGuy]

Hello All,

I have been in Detroit for more than 6 months and already loving the great move I made to the big D. Even though I live in Ferndale, I work downtown in a mortgage/loans company and also visit restaurants in Corktown/Greektown on weekends.

I have noticed that there do not seem to be enough fast food franchises like McDs, Burger King, KFC etc. compared to the size of the population in these areas. I am seriously considering opening a fast food outlet in Corktown, Greektown or Downtown.

I would like to ask the good folks on this forum if such a fast food outlet would work...would there be even demand...people coming in at all hours etc. What kind of fast food is preferred by the young folks in Corktown etc.

Would love to hear your thoughts.

[ForStarters]

You're right, there are very few fast food restaurants in the greater downtown area. The only two that are well-represented are Subway and Jimmy Johns. There are at least 3 Subways downtown, maybe more, and there are at least 2 Jimmy Johns downtown, and that's just downtown proper. Corktown has a White Castle and that's it. Midtown has a McDonald's on Woodward. I'm not sure about the rest.

I don't eat fast food much, mainly because I don't drive much, but I would really like to see a Taco Bell downtown. Believe it or not, it's one of the few things that send me to the suburbs. I get that craving that only Taco Bell can fulfill and I must have it. Haha. I don't even care that it is unauthentic and that I can get fantastic Mexican cuisine in Mexicantown. There's just something about Taco Bell that at least once a month, I have to have it.

[UnemployedFinanceGuy]

Originally Posted by ForStarters

You're right, there are very few fast food restaurants in the greater downtown area. The only two that are well-represented are Subway and Jimmy Johns. There are at least 3 Subways downtown, maybe more, and there are at least 2 Jimmy Johns downtown, and that's just downtown proper. Corktown has a White Castle and that's it. Midtown has a McDonald's on Woodward. I'm not sure about the rest.

I don't eat fast food much, mainly because I don't drive much, but I would really like to see a Taco Bell downtown. Believe it or not, it's one of the few things that send me to the suburbs. I get that craving that only Taco Bell can fulfill and I must have it. Haha. I don't even care that it is unauthentic and that I can get fantastic Mexican cuisine in Mexicantown. There's just something about Taco Bell that at least once a month, I have to have it.

Taco Bell sounds like just the right choice. I just realized I have not eaten at Taco Bells in almost 3 months! I think a Taco Bell in Corktown would down very well - lots of hungry young people there!

[Utahooligan]

Originally Posted by UnemployedFinanceGuy

Taco Bell sounds like just the right choice. I just realized I have not eaten at Taco Bells in almost 3 months! I think a Taco Bell in Corktown would down very well - lots of hungry young people there!

Lots of hungry, young people all-over downtown Detroit. I used to be one of them (lived in Riverfront Towers, next to Joe Louis Arena).

I can only speak for myself, though I *hope* I speak for the majority.

Most people that chose to & can afford to live in the *downtown* Detroit area are at least upper middle-class, and chose to live there due to things like Greektown, Mexican Town, and to a lesser degree, Corktown. If they're unemployed, it's usually because they're retired & doing well financially.

When I think of those cultural areas, I sure as hell do NOT think of Taco Bell, Burger King, etc. and would not frequently patronize those places, when Mexican Village, Loco Bar & Grill, Cyprus Taverna, etc. were all available relatively quickly, easily & inexpensively. A Taco Bell located in Corktown sounds both disgusting, and stupid to me.

The Renaissance Center, which is basically 'ground-zero' of downtown Detroit, does have a BK & McDonald's. I can't think of where the closest Taco Bell is to the downtown area.

Obviously, all those corporations & franchisees are savvy enough to have over the years considered locations in downtown Detroit. I think the reason they've stayed away has to do with demographics & security.

[ForStarters]

Originally Posted by Utahooligan

Lots of hungry, young people all-over downtown Detroit. I used to be one of them (lived in Riverfront Towers, next to Joe Louis Arena).

I can only speak for myself, though I *hope* I speak for the majority.

Most people that chose to & can afford to live in the *downtown* Detroit area are at least upper middle-class, and chose to live there due to things like Greektown, Mexican Town, and to a lesser degree, Corktown. If they're unemployed, it's usually because they're retired & doing well financially.

When I think of those cultural areas, I sure as hell do NOT think of Taco Bell, Burger King, etc. and would not frequently patronize those places, when Mexican Village, Loco Bar & Grill, Cyprus Taverna, etc. were all available relatively quickly, easily & inexpensively. A Taco Bell located in Corktown sounds both disgusting, and stupid to me.

The Renaissance Center, which is basically 'ground-zero' of downtown Detroit, does have a BK & McDonald's. I can't think of where the closest Taco Bell is to the downtown area.

Obviously, all those corporations & franchisees are savvy enough to have over the years considered locations in downtown Detroit. I think the reason they've stayed away has to do with demographics & security.

As I understand it, there were several fast food restaurants concentrated in Capitol Park during the 80s, but are now long-gone.

I don't think it would be stupid to bring fast food back to downtown. Some might say it 'cheapens' the environment, but what any city worth its salt should offer is a diversity of options. I don't think that a Taco Bell would necessarily cater to downtown residents, but rather downtown workers who need to grab something quick on their lunch break or on their way home from work. When I've traveled to other cities, you see fast food restaurants in the urban core, albeit not as many as you will find in the suburbs. They can be integrated right in, just like any other restaurant. Some don't even have drive-thrus. Corktown does not seem like a natural choice, but somewhere downtown near the Financial District would make sense, especially if it was an urban store with no drive thru.

[313Weather]

Originally Posted by ForStarters

You're right, there are very few fast food restaurants in the greater downtown area. The only two that are well-represented are Subway and Jimmy Johns. There are at least 3 Subways downtown, maybe more, and there are at least 2 Jimmy Johns downtown, and that's just downtown proper. Corktown has a White Castle and that's it. Midtown has a McDonald's on Woodward. I'm not sure about the rest.

I don't eat fast food much, mainly because I don't drive much, but I would really like to see a Taco Bell downtown. Believe it or not, it's one of the few things that send me to the suburbs. I get that craving that only Taco Bell can fulfill and I must have it. Haha. I don't even care that it is unauthentic and that I can get fantastic Mexican cuisine in Mexicantown. There's just something about Taco Bell that at least once a month, I have to have it.

If there's anything I know well about downtown, it's all the fast food establishments.

In addition to the ones you mentioned...

*Burger King at St. Aubin and Gratiot
*Burger King at Lafayette and 8th
*White Castle at Mt. Elliot & Gratiot
*Wendy's at Jefferson and Grand Blvd.
*Little Caesars at Mt. Elliot and Jefferson
*Jet's Pizza at Mt. Elliot and Jefferson
*McDonalds at Chrysler and I-75
*Louie's Ham & Corned Beef at Mack and Russell
*Domino's Pizza at Woodward and Palmer
*Five Guys at Monroe and Beaubien
*Tim Horton's at Jefferson and Grand Blvd.
*Tim Horton's in the Millender Center
*McDonalds on Grand Blvd. in the New Center Area
*White Castle on Woodward and Baltimore
*Burger King at Woodward and Pallister? (not sure, they might have closed that one again)
*Mr. Pita in the DPS Administrative Building in the New Center Area
*Quizno's on Congress and Griswold
*Jimmy Johns on Congress and Griswold
*Jimmy Johns on Monroe and Farmer
*Subway on Gratiot and Beaubien
*Subway on Cadillac Square and Farmer
*Wendy's in Hutzel Hospital
*KFC at Mt. Elliot and Gratiot
*Popeye's at Milwaukee and Woodward
*Church's Chicken on Jefferson and Grand Blvd.

Meanwhile, the only sit-down frachises down there are IHOP (Jefferson & Chene) and Big Boy's (Jefferson & Grand Blvd.) respectfully.

A couple of many reasons I can understand why aren't more Fast Food restaurants in the greater downtown area is because the labor pool quite frankly sucks for one and for two the franchise owners probably don't want to have to deal with the burden of homeless people romaing around their establishment. Lets not forget what happened at the Burger King on St. Aubin and Gratiot, then the Burger King on Lafayette and 8th is a haven for the homeless folks (so was/is the one on Woodward and Pallister).

Yes, places like Checkers, Taco Bell and Arby's are lacking. The nearest Checkers is either in Highland Park on Woodward north of Davison or on Joseph Campau in Hamtramck. The problem with Taco Bell is I'm not sure many people who are taking care of business down there in the daytime will want those abominations sitting in their stomach (the Coneys are bad enough, lol).

[detwahDJ]

I've noticed that certain communities (Saugatuck or other touristy places), which want to preserve a particular ambiance, will relegate these (along with gas stations and convenience stores) to specific districts where they don't impinge on the senses or detract from the overall visitor experience. They are still available for those who want them, though they would be separated from a Slow's, Mercury, or other "gentrified" business zone for instance.
I know many consider them eyesores, but they are quite handy for travelers. Plopping a fast food strip into the middle of Corktown may be jarring to some people who want to preserve a certain image. Obviously this would require creative planning.

[us66]

Seeing Five Guys in Greektown seems so wrong. Nothing wrong with the food (I don't care for Greek food, either) but that and the barbecue joint (mmm) just seem so out of place.

If someone's going to open a fast food joint, make it meaningful. Four words: Jack in the Box.

[Junk Foodie]

Now that we have some solid local businesses, we can fill in some of the gaps with a franchises and retail chains.

I worked in Chicago for a couple years and now work in the New Center area. I see going out for lunch as a way to venture out of the office, so I drive downtown a couple times a week and meetup with friends, brother, or even eat by myself.

These are some places that I think would fill my fast food void and I think would fare well with the young and old working crowd:

1) Chipotle or Taco Bell - There's a void of fast mexican-ish food. You can go for a pricier, quality Chipotle or a modest, but satisfying Taco Bell.

2) Dunkin Donuts - As much as I appreciate the indie coffee shops and bakeries, sometimes it's nice to go to a familiar, established franchise with decent coffee. I think a wide audience would appreciate a DD.

3) Panera - Solid fast casual sandwiches/lunch-fare that should get a steady crowd during the week.

4) Jamba Juice - Downtown needs a proper smoothie joint/healthy alternative. These tend to do well in college campuses and large downtown areas, and should get a good amount of traffic during summer sport events. I would also make frequent trips here for their steel cut oatmeal for breakfast.

5) Chick-fil-a - I've been waiting for someone to open up a full-sized one of these for years now. I would go here very often because my recurring lightly breaded chicken sandwich and waffle fry cravings. I think this could be a very successful chain if there is a brave franchisee that will invest in the first location. Who doesn't love chicken?