For national chains Bennigan's and Steak and Ale, there is no pot o' gold at the end of the rainbow: The companies filed for bankruptcy protection and shut down all 292 corporate locations yesterday.
For the two bar and grill chains, the downhill slope has come steep and fast. In June, parent company Metromedia Restaurant Group asked lenders to restructure its debt, as earnings were lower than expected. A week ago, the group's CEO resigned. And yesterday, all of the corporate locations for the Irish-themed taverns and country steakhouses appeared empty. The company stated:
Similar to other members of the casual dining industry, current economic and industry trends have adversely affected the group's overall financial performance.
Fans need not despair just yet — for now, the franchise locations will stay open. But the question remains: for how long?
GHD
I never liked Bennigans food so it does not bother me that they are going out of business. It is sad to see that the economy is so bad and that we have more and more business shutting down everyday.
1I don't go there too often. I go maybe once a year if that.
2Hmmm...Our local one closed down years ago I assumed they have been out of business since then. I guess not.
3As long as T.G.I. Friday's (mmm, Jack Daniels steaks) and Chili's stay open, I'm all set for corporate chain food.
4My fiance and I love going to Bennigan's b/c it's never crowded and they always have good deals. Plus, our only other options for sit-down dining are Chili's and Chevy's and neither of us likes those places too much. I hope our Benningan's is a franchise location.
5This is the graphic design geek in me saying this but I liked Bennigan's menu layout. Nice and clean and easy to read (hey that rhymes lol!).
6Their food was good too.
7I have never gone to one.
8Never been to either one so I guess I am kinda glad
9good-bye o-beautiful monte cristo!
10i can't remember the last time i went to a bennigans...something with work when i worked at the mall in college...however, i hope there's a franchise near by because a co-worked gave me a gift certificate for my wedding, and we've had it for months but never have gone...and i don't want it wasted!
11I've never been to a Bennigan's but I heard that they had a mean burger.
12Well, I'll miss their potato soup.
13But now where will Butters go on special occasions?
14bennigans had great food (their egg rolls and queso was amazing) and drink specials so i will def. be missing my bennigans but what really sucks is that my roomate worked there and no one even called to tell her her work shut down she saw it on the internet so now she has no job
15Bennigans was popular in the mid eighties to early 90s, where else could you go at the time and see all the clutter on the walls, and eat a monte cristo and order death by chocolate? but with Chili's TGI Fridays Applebees opening, thier appeal floundered. I havent stepped foot inside one since homecoming of 91!
16Wow I haven't been to one in years. But I loved their baked potato soup and monte cristos. It'll be sad to see them go.
17I've never been to Bennigan's either, but I agree with Mominator that it's still sad - think of all those people out of jobs!
18AHH I will miss the monte cristo. Thats the only thing I did eat from there.
19C-Ya! I haven't eaten at this place since 2000. It was a lunch spot and that was all. The food was average at best.
20I went to bennigans for homecoming bye memories
21Post New Comment
Please share your opinion with our community, but make sure it is on topic and follows our Community Rules. We moderate comments and prohibit personal attacks, threats, spam, lewd images, or the promotion of your personal website.