Illinois Restaurant Association’s Post

Boston Market was a booming brand back in the mid-1990s, a pioneer of what we now know as the fast-casual landscape. It existed in a space diners were just realizing they wanted to be in, somewhere between the greasy burgers of fast-food drive-throughs and the sit-down production of an evening out at the Olive Garden or Bennigan’s. People flocked to its homey meals; its signature rotisserie chickens seemed fresh, even healthful, in that era of SnackWell’s cookies and Healthy Choice frozen dinners. After being founded in 1985 as Boston Chicken, it eventually expanded to more than 1,200 locations well beyond its namesake city. Now, only a few dozen remain; a report this month by the trade publication Restaurant Business put the number at 27, with more closures expected at every moment. Earlier this year, Massachusetts labor officials fined the chain for late payments to employees; last year, New Jersey issued a stop-work order for 27 locations over failure to pay workers. After the company paid $630,000 in back wages, they were allowed to reopen in the state, though it isn’t clear how many actually did. Boston Market’s Colorado headquarters was seized. The biggest blow came in the form of a lawsuit from supplier U.S. Foods over unpaid bills in which a judge in January ordered Boston Market to pay $15 million. It’s hard to imagine a time when rotisserie chickens weren’t ubiquitous, but looking back at news stories from the early to mid-1990s reminds us that, for a brief moment, they seemed, if not exactly chic, at least new — and exactly what diners were clamoring for. Headlines called them “the answer to dinner dilemma” and “a new spin on fast food.” “Everyone’s flocking to join the rotisserie chicken revolution,” the Chicago Tribune declared in 1994. Chains such as Kenny Rogers Roasters, Clucker’s and Muhammad Ali Rotisserie Chicken spread around the country, while KFC debuted its own spinoff called Rotisserie Gold. Boston Chicken, which changed its name in 1995, led the way. Eventually, though, the chain’s all-American, homestyle fare, often served in family-size portions, fell out of step with tastes. Diners were drawn to ultra-customizable bowls at Chipotle and the varied menu at Panera Bread, two leaders in the market now infiltrated by chains offering healthier options and global flavors, such as Sweetgreen and Cava. Modern customers are more fickle, notes restaurant analyst Aaron Allen. That creates a challenge for all brands, but legacy ones in particular. Diners today have a restless mind-set influenced by our experiences with consumer technology. After all, our iPhones get an upgrade every 20 months, so we come to expect that other things we spend money on should constantly evolve and modernize, too. “These days, the consumer gets tired a lot faster,” Allen says.

We are officially in the market on our strip center (called "Midtown Crossing South") located in Plantation, FL (due west of Ft. Lauderdale). Here's why I like this deal.... - What's not to like when a deal is in Florida! All of the obvious advantages of being in the Sunshine State - growing population base, income tax free, etc. - This strip sits on a road that has 51,000+ cars per day pass through. So it's going to get a ton of visibility - not to mention access is very good to the site. Plus, a brand new WaWa under development next door. - Great lineup - Starbucks is your anchor. Has 2 other restaurant concepts that are local/regional. We understand Starbucks is killing it here (look at that backed up drive-through lane!) - Strong leases in place - on average provide a 2.77% rent growth annually. Better than what you can get in most retail/restaurant deals. We think this is either a great 1031 play or a pride of ownership asset for investors who love to own #CRE in Florida. Matt Spangenberg & Michael Zimmerman are running point on marketing this asset. I'd get with them quick on this one! OM Here - https://lnkd.in/g5Qh3-QB

#Woking businesses can have their say on the future of #businessupport in their area. Register online and have your say! #surrey #investinsurrey

📢The best part about being in commercial real estate is that you know what brands are considering a market well before the consumers in the market do. In fact, that's what I love about our industry, if there's a brand that I really want to see in Atlanta, I call the owners and share with them why the SHOULD be here. Maybe Atlanta Convention and Visitors Bureau should give me a DB budget! @CulinaryDropout, a Sam Fox concept, that I experienced in Phoenix earlier this year is on a growth trajectory. With two Atlanta locations already underway, Texas and Southern California are also on the hit list. At 10,000 SF, the kitchen and dining room support an average sales of $175,000 per week. 🤔❔Have you been to a Culinary Dropout? What do you think makes the concept unique? What's your favorite Sam Fox concept? (mine? Flowerchild - @allieholland and I would run a 10K for the sweet potatoes!) 📸Culinary Dropout READ MORE HERE: https://lnkd.in/ga755ZXM Chris Fuhrmeister Amy Wenk

It's been on a downward trajectory for awhile but when even the acclaimed In 'n Out burger chain decides it's too dangerous to keep open their store there - well it really is an all-time low for Oakland, California. It seems the business is putting staff safety in front of profits....their car park has become a crime hotspot. Given this is the chain's first ever closure since it started in 1948 that's saying something. The closure marks a further decline for Oakland - a city that has, already this year, seen downtown Subway outlet and a Raising Cane restaurant shutter their doors - largely due to crime. They follow on from Starbucks, Denny's and Black Bear Diner and a host of retailers and are the 'tells' of an area - if not a city in a civic death spiral. Across 'the Bay' - the internationally famous San Francisco is having its own problems - with city's once prestigious San Francisco Centre (until recently owned by Westfield before they handed he keys back in June 2023), being renamed Emporium Centre San Francisco. But a slew of key brand tenants have gone - Lego, JHollister, Adidas and J Crew among them. They have now reportedly been joined by L’Occitane and Sephora. I term it 'brand flight'! But in the case of these two cities I call it 'brand mass evacuation'! Whatever is going on it's urban decay and it's a civic tragedy and I do wonder if there is a calling for some sort of International Civic Rescue Squad - much in the same way that Saudi Arabia has pulled in what I terms as a 'dream team' of designer, developers, digital eagles and those who can deliver a project. This would be a 'Civic Rescue' A-team who could turnaround the fortunes of troubled locations around the world. Who would be on such a team? I have a few ideas! https://lnkd.in/dahZANTf #InnoutBurger #Oakland #crime #urbandecay #urbangrain #California #civicdecay #brandflight #turnaround #SanFrancisco #Westfield #EmporiumCentreSanFrancisco #Civicrescue #retail #retailing #leisure

Growing up near Orlando and while at Florida Southern College - School of Business I developed a true fascination with the hospitality industry. With juggernauts like Walt Disney World and Darden practically around the corner, the industry's influence on Central Florida is profound. I was fascinated by how both of these companies operated and structured their businesses. Every experience with their brands, every touchpoint was a case study in translating deliberate, well-defined business processes into highly engaging and fulfilling consumer experiences that generated commercial value. Change is the only constant in business. It's through this lens that I watch as Red Lobster writes the next chapter of its history. As a 19-year old college junior, I had written to Dick Rivera, who ran Red Lobster for Darden and is a legendary hospitality executive, and he was kind enough to reply to a wide-eyed student, inviting me to a series of meetings at the Darden headquarters. Years later in 2013 Darden sold Red Lobster and it's fair to say its current owners have done the chain no favors. It's a brand that can do more and though my favorite Darden brand was Seasons 52, I can't help but hope that Red Lobster will find solid footing, in the process becoming a transformed business and a refreshed brand that engages new audiences and leverages its core to generate value for its owners. https://lnkd.in/e-HCc2B3 #hospitality #branding #redlobster #restructuring #business #redlobster #darden

It's time for Sherm's weekly Insider! Let us fill you in on the top headlines from the food and hospitality industry 👇 Each week, Neal Sherman shares the most newsworthy articles of the industry. Follow him for more weekly updates! #tagexbrands #shermsweeklyinsider #hospitalitynews #restaurantnews

Is what’s happening to Miami's culinary scene a wake up call...👇 As someone deeply entrenched in Miami's vibrant scene, witnessing Wood Tavern's closure hits close to home. Permit issues aside, this shuttering sheds light on a larger issue plaguing our neighborhood. As a broker who specializes in restaurants in South Florida, I foresee a tidal wave of closures looming on the horizon. I predict a staggering 50 to 100 restaurant closures in the next 30 to 60 days, casualties of skyrocketing rents and the breakneck pace of change. Here’s a few that have already taken the hit: -Perricone market place -Stanzione 87 -Bebitos Miami Beach -East side pizza -Union beer store -Far out pizza -26 mod pizza locations -All the Tiajuana flats stores This is the core of a recurring narrative: the relentless cycle of neighborhood cannibalization. As trendy, expensive spots and big box chains rush into Miami, existing businesses find themselves priced out of the market when leases expire. Newcomers eagerly fill the void, paying exorbitant rates dictated by supply and demand. The result? A transient landscape where once-thriving establishments falter in the wake of rising rents. But it's not just the mom-and-pop spots feeling the squeeze. Even fast-food giants are feeling the pinch as prices soar and customers rethink their spending habits. But rest assured, we're staying authentic and emphasizing the significance of standing by our locally cherished establishments. Let me know your thoughts in the comments below👇

Retail Today / Retail Renaissance: After numerous requests for a Buc-ee’s update, ok so it was just one. Here it comes, Buc-ee’s is getting ready to open store #50! #bucees Not just any store but there largest store ever at 75,000 sq ft!!! This location in Luling, Texas is the World’s Largest Convenience Store. #conveniencestores This travel center will boost everything you love about Buc-ee’s: Fudge, BBQ, Pastries, Beaver Nuggets, even Beaver Apparel and Home Decor. 😂😂😂 #travelcenter Then you add the World’s Cleanest Restrooms and 120 gas pumps, now you have the most exciting retail concept in the country. With a rabid cult following of shoppers. Who plan their travel around Buc-ee's, Ltd. locations. Buc-ee's, Ltd. #shoppingexperience #exiciting #emotional #entertaining #compelling #merchandising I started talking about them a few years ago, their growth has been amazing. Now spreading their wings headed towards the West in Arizona, Colorado, the Midwest in Wisconsin, etc… #stores “COMING SOON” to a highway near you. The rumor their new store in Ocala, Florida will be even bigger! #retail #retailtrends #retailindustry #TopRetailExperts

LeBron James Just Answered the 1 Key Question Every Ambitious Person Has to Face. Here's the Decision #PGGaskets #refrigerationgaskets #commercialkitchensolutions #foodserviceequipment #kitchenmaintenance #restaurantrepair #grocerystoremaintenance #onsitewelding #cuttingboardresurfacing #restaurant #houstontexas