Original FernBar Giant Bennigan’s Closes Company Stores
When it flashed across the newswires and TV headlines - most readers were stunned - suddenly, a restaurant icon was `shutting its doors’ - Bennigan’s. No, this was not your lowly newbie who was closing after 50 stores; this was one with hundreds and a history. And, if you have been under a rock for the last 18 hours - the news is that the company owned stores are closing. You will find the link below.
Is there any marketing trade area information in all this? Perhaps.
For example, if a company unit was near a franchisee restaurant - some of that company unit customer base may become part of the large `occasional’ users customer base of any given unit. Certainly billboard ads in the vicinity of the closed store with an `open stores location’ could be effective - or - targeting the likely home zipcode of the closed store with direct mail. (Perhaps corporate will share such info if they have done the appropriate research at the store level in the past.)
Finally, not ALL of the corporate units would have been `bad’ sales - aggressive restaurateurs could open franchisee units and fill in the void in valid market areas. That said, suddenly the market has many more empty restaurants waiting for a new concept.
Today’s Links
Bennigan’s
http://www.marketwatch.com/news/story/bennigans-franchising-company-lp-steak/story.aspx?guid=%7BE5283276-F8A1-44C4-8D83-EB9857B37D11%7D&dist=hppr Franchisee’s to remain open.
Bennigan’s Wake
http://www.chicagotribune.com/business/chi-wed-bennigans-closing-jul30,0,6474654.story Longer, more in-depth read on the industry.
Denny’s Second Quarter Numbers
http://www.marketwatch.com/news/story/dennys-corporation-reports-results-second/story.aspx?guid=%7B2B41FDD2-AB42-402E-BCB2-42880BCED8F6%7D&dist=hppr Hard to put up `up’ numbers these days.
Banning Fast Food Drive Thru Windows
http://network.nationalpost.com/np/blogs/posted/archive/2008/07/29/better-watch-your-butts-in-calgary.aspx Beware of this sentiment.
Cheesy Macaroni Bites
http://laist.com/2008/07/29/simply_wrong_food_jack_in_the_boxs_1.php New Product of Jack In The Box; interesting product picture.
