Restaurant Trade Area Research

Our family loves Crawfish - and, whatever happened to Langostino’s? Hot N Juicy Crawfish Restaurant to Open in Orlando - http://www.restaurantnews.com/hot-n-juicy-crawfish-restaurant-to-open-in-orlando/ opening in the insanely hot trade area near the Disney Complex of Entertainment.=============

The expected social media pushback has started - Why I Will Never, Ever Hire A “Social Media Expert” - post gets right to the point about NOT over doing it and at getting a balance. http://www.businessinsider.com/why-i-will-never-ever-hire-a-social-media-expert-2011-5#ixzz1PpH0wUVb – taking an opposite view, the rebranding of Food Trucks - How Social Media Is Fueling the Food Truck Phenomenon - http://mashable.com/2011/06/16/food-trucks-social-media/

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In McDonald’s news - Tampa area McDonald’s are a template for the nation - think cozy and efficient with embedded media penetration - and improved operations once again at the drive thru - (even soundproofed kid areas) http://www2.tbo.com/news/tech/2011/may/18/tampa-mcdonalds-are-a-template-for-the-nation-ar-208053/ - and leave it to McDonald’s to provide this stat - McDonald’s Could Account for Half of May’s Job Growth - http://www.theatlanticwire.com/business/2011/06/how-much-was-mcdonalds-responsible-last-months-job-growth/38489/ - the new normal rolls onward. ———–

But, this analysis suggests that restaurants have been spared some of the impact of the new normal - especially some in particular and some types in particular - Not all is gloomy for restaurants, analysts say - http://www.businessweek.com/ap/financialnews/D9NIHAAO1.htm

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With second quarter sales off 7% - more and more franchisees are not confident with the new emphasis on sandwiches and grilled chicken - one decades long franchisee even said this: “Roger Eaton and his company don’t give a rat’s ass,” - http://www.businessweek.com/magazine/content/10_34/b4192019553596.htm?chan=magazine+channel_news+-+companies+%2B+industries much more detail at the link.

And KFC isn’t the only big name with continued lower secondquarter sales as Arby’s is once again off 7.4% and Wendy’s is off 1.7% http://www.restaurantnews.com/wendys-arbys-group-reports-2nd-quarter-2010-results/ - that said, Wendy’s/Arby’s plans expansion abroad with duel branded stores - http://www.ajc.com/business/wendys-arbys-to-open-588791.html

Meanwhile, while some chains go overseas for expansion - Chick-Fil-A plans to go into urban USA locations - http://www.ajc.com/business/chick-fil-a-plans-589960.html

And, speaking of GOING into new areas - New food-truck trend rolls into Akron - Vehicles promote fresh, unique fare, pose competition to eateries - http://www.ohio.com/news/top_stories/100353574.html making existing restaurants uneasy.

And, speaking of being uneasy in the restaurant business - Restaurants seek recipe for economic sustenance - So, with the fear of the unknown come new marketing strategies, including lots of social media and some creative pricing packages. Restaurants are also learning the value of truly connecting to the community they call home and making sure their new and regular customers are given top-notch food, delivered with a smile. - http://mddailyrecord.com/2010/08/05/restaurants-seek-recipe-for-economic-sustenance/ the bad news, of course, is that the `new normal’ is quickly becoming the new reality.

More down sales from O’Charley’s too - same-store sales at O’Charley’s company-operated restaurants declined by 7.9 percent - http://www.restaurantnews.com/ocharleys-inc-reports-results-for-the-second-quarter-of-2010/

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