Off the menu: Waves of restaurant closures sweep the US

Military strategists often describe a retreat as the most difficult tactic of all tactics to implement, and the same can be true in the business world. This fall, however, some well-known restaurant brands are retreating either by choice or out of necessity.

Last month, Spartansburg, South Carolina-based Denny’s said it plans to close 150 stores, about 10% of the chain’s U.S. footprint, as part of a growth strategy it calls Diner 2.0.

Allegedly, the poor performance of the sites targeted for closure is “undermining the vitality of the entire system,” as a company spokesman put it.

In addition to upcoming store renovations, Diner 2.0 could result in the elimination of the system requirement that Denny’s restaurants be open 24 hours a day.

The Wendy’s Company also announced a new wave of store closures – approximately 140 locations by year’s end – adding to an announcement of 100 store closures in May 2024. These “outdated” and “underperforming” restaurants will be replaced by an equal number of new Wendy’s locations with lower-priced locations, although not in the same location, according to company officials.

Wendy’s has had a difficult year, with U.S. same-restaurant sales increasing just under 0.5%.

The downsizing in the restaurant industry has been partly involuntary – TGI Fridays, one of the original casual dining concepts, filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy last week.

The brand closed 50 locations before filing the application, leaving about 160 TGI Fridays in operation for now.

So what’s going on with all these retreats in the hospitality industry? The factors involved are diverse. Restaurant concepts, like any other product, have a life cycle in which they grow and thrive, eventually mature and then disappear.

The catering industry itself is currently facing economic challenges in the form of higher costs and consistent customer numbers.

Finally, the market for food away from home may be saturated, at least in many areas, with too many dining establishments chasing too little customer money.

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Supplements:

On Wednesday, November 20, the West of the River Chamber of Commerce is sponsoring its 15th annual Food Fest West.

Held at Crestview Country Club in Agawam, Food Fest West offers visitors the opportunity to sample some of the area’s tastiest restaurant specialties. The event will also include a raffle and memorabilia auction.

Food Fest West begins at 5:30 p.m. Tickets, which cost $50 in advance and $60 at the door, can be purchased on the chamber’s website. Their phone number is 413-426-3880.

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The Pottery Cellar in Westfield is hosting an authentic Polish dinner night on Saturday, November 23rd. Dinner — which includes golabki, pierogies, kapusta, kielbasa, fasolka szparagowa, rye bread and dessert — costs $28.95 plus gratuity and tax. Drinks, including beer and wine, will also be available.

The Polish Dinner Night will have two seatings, one at 5:00 p.m. and a second at 7:00 p.m. Advance reservations are required and can be made by calling 413-642-5524.

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Uno Pizzeria & Grill in Sturbridge is teaming up with Worcester-based Greater Good Imperial Brewing Company to present a beer pairing dinner.

The event is scheduled for Tuesday, November 19th and begins at 6:30 p.m. A five-course meal will be prepared that includes cranberry brie puff pastry bites, skewers of crispy Brussels sprouts and butternut squash, green bean casserole flatbread, turkey meatball sliders and pumpkin cannoli.

The evening also includes live music, games and a raffle.

For more information, contact Uno Pizzeria & Grill at 508-347-6420.

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The starting gate at Greathorse in Hampden has announced the date of its upcoming Breakfast with Santa.

The event will take place on Saturday, December 7, starting at 11:30 a.m. and will feature a breakfast buffet with options such as pancakes, waffles, luncheon meats and scrambled eggs, as well as fresh fruit and a variety of baked goods. A separate hot cocoa station offers various mixes and toppings.

In addition to visits with Mr. & Mrs. Claus, there will be Christmas cookie decorating, dancing to DJ music and a “Letter to Santa” writing session.

The price for the event is $55 plus a service fee; Children up to three years old have free entry. Tickets can be purchased at Eventbrite.com.

The starting gate at Greathorse answers 413-566-5158.

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Although the chain’s new CEO, Brian Niccol, has committed Starbucks to simplifying its store operations, that doesn’t mean the brand is forgoing its traditional holiday drink launch this month.

Although the Seattle-based coffee shop giant has yet to make a formal announcement, knowledgeable sources report that favorite drinks like the Chestnut Praline Latte, Peppermint Mocha, Peppermint White Chocolate Mocha, and Caramel Brulee Latte will be returning, along with a new Cran-Merry Orange Refresher.

Three new holiday foams – Sugar Cookie Cream, Chestnut Praline Cream and Gingerbread Cream – will be available to top Starbucks coffee drinks.

Four seasonal foods are set to be part of the holiday lineup – a snowman cake pop and a penguin cookie make their debut, along with a dark toffee bundt cake and a savory turkey sage cookie.

The holiday deals will be available at Starbucks around Veterans Day.

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On Saturday, November 16, Vanished Valley Brewing Company in Ludlow will host a Fall Food Truck Festival from noon to 5 p.m

More than 15 food trucks will be on site; Live music will also be part of the offering. Vanished Valley will have its fire pits lit when weather permits and s’mores will be available for purchase.

For more information, please contact Vanished Valley at 413-610-1572.

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The Irish House Restaurant at the Irish Cultural Center in West Springfield has announced its schedule for “Christmas Music with the Tavern Carolers.” Seven dates in December are available, with two of the dates, December 22nd and 23rd, including a visit from Santa.

Each performance includes a three-course meal; Tickets are $65 and include food gratuity. Further details and a link to purchase tickets can be found on the Irish Cultural Center website.

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Cracker Barrel Old Country Store has announced its menu of offerings for the holiday season.

These include two returning savory favorites, Country Fried Turkey and Broccoli Cheese Casserole, as well as a Cinnamon Swirl French Toast Breakfast. Cracker Barrel also offers a DIY hot chocolate bar and several “Sugar Plum” drinks.

All of these items should be available during the Christmas holiday season.

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This month’s specialty sundae offering at Friendly’s Restaurants is “Tom the Turkey.”

Tom is made with a scoop of Hunka Chunka PB Fudge ice cream. The ice cream is decorated with candy eyes, a candy corn beak and a peanut butter cup tail.

The ice cream treat will be available at participating Friendly’s locations through the end of November.

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Soulao’d Kitchen on Page Boulevard in East Springfield will celebrate its fifth anniversary on Friday, November 15th from 2 to 5 p.m

To mark the occasion, the restaurant is offering children free food samples, giveaways and face painting.

For more information, call Soulao’d Kitchen at 413-316-3202.

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Is McDonald’s bringing back its McRib sandwich?

The McRib, a cult classic of seasoned boneless pork patty with a spicy barbecue glaze, garnished with slivers of onion and dill pickles and served on a toasted bun, was last available in the United States in November 2022 when it launched its “Farewell Tour. “

However, the sandwich was reintroduced to McDonald’s stores in the UK this fall, where it is being promoted as a limited-time offer.

McDonald’s USA executives had previously hinted that the McRib could return to domestic locations “later this year,” and multiple food publications have revealed that the company will reportedly bring the McRib back to the “Greater Ozarks area” later this month.

However, there is no word on plans for a repeat of the McRib sandwich from coast to coast.

Hugh Robert is a faculty member in the Hospitality and Culinary Arts Program at Holyoke Community College and has nearly 50 years of restaurant and educational experience. Robert can be reached online at [email protected].