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Epic Economist, 10/15/23
"15 Big Restaurants That Will Disappear This Winter"
"Trouble is brewing in the restaurant industry, and several brands are now silently closing locations and reducing their operations to cope with a consumer recession that has no end in sight. Managing a restaurant is never easy, and during an economic downturn, conditions get even more complicated because people tend to cut costs and eat out less. Declining sales and guest visits at physical locations are actually some of the main reasons why chains decide to leave a market, or even file for bankruptcy. Not even the biggest companies out there are safe from the trends that are plaguing the industry in 2023. Many of them are being crushed by inflation, labor issues, and rising competition.
For instance, although the Cheesecake Factory was and still is one of the most popular fast-casual dining franchises in the U.S., the brand has been facing some serious financial setbacks in recent years. Founded in 1972, the chain rapidly expanded to over 400 locations in North America. But that number declined to 297 in 2019, and the pandemic triggered the closure of another 10% of its locations. In 2021, 2022, and 2023 more restaurants went dark as foot traffic at shopping malls slowed down. Today, The Cheesecake Factory has just 213 restaurants, and about 13 of those were recently rebranded as Grand Lux Cafe. The company is scrambling to adapt to new market trends and draw in a younger customer base. After more than five decades in business, The Cheesecake Factory has seen competitors rise and fall. But now, the tables have turned and its rivals are watching its gradual decay.
Similarly, one of the oldest fast-casual dining chains in the world is having trouble staying in business in the U.S. Despite marking generations of young Americans, Hard Rock Cafe is finding it difficult to connect with the current public. Consequently, financial results have been deteriorating in its restaurant segment for four consecutive years. The brand also owns a number of other businesses, including hotels and casinos. Citing profitability problems, Hard Rock International has decided to shutter multiple cafes in the country this year, including locations in Houston, Las Vegas, Denver, Seattle, and Memphis.
In this game, only those who know how to adapt will be able to weather the storm. In this video, we compiled chains that seem to be losing ground and falling behind their main rivals. According to analysts, they are at risk of mass closings and can go out of business entirely sooner than people think. If you have a beloved restaurant and you're in a position to support their business, you should visit your favorite spot now. Restaurant closings can happen overnight and without any notice. This is the rockiest market many of these brands have ever seen, and things aren't likely to get better any time soon. When and only when the U.S. consumer regains their economic resilience, non-essential businesses will see growth again. But for now, the outlook remains cloudy, and thousands of locations are going to disappear before you realize that they were gone."
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