Lost Golden Corral last month.

Carpet always smelled weird in there. No big loss. Though the salad bar was good.

Rumor has it that Wilkesboro is losing Red Lobster.

It's a mean ol' economy out there. Quick, somebody tell our government leaders! I'm sure they'll respond with a workable, bi-partisan plan.

Middle tier restaurants have been struggling since the mid 2000's. The money is at the high and low end. You would think Ruby Tuesday's biggest competitor would be Applebees, but I think its really cookout and hardees.

Add to that the push among educated middle-income earners to shop and eat locally and I think its clear that chains like Golden Corral and Ruby Tuesday's are in trouble. And of course Red Lobster and Olive Garden are already skimming rock bottom.

Awesome. Another garbage franchise bites the dust. Clearly, people are seeing the overwhelming advantages of eating at local establishments in a culturally rich college town like Boone.

Now we just need to get rid of Applebees, Chilis, Chiptole, etc.

Gonzo wrote:Now we just need to get rid of Applebees, Chilis, Chiptole, etc.

Boone has a Chipotle? Have I been gone that long?

Gonzo wrote:Awesome. Another garbage franchise bites the dust. Clearly, people are seeing the overwhelming advantages of eating at local establishments in a culturally rich college town like Boone.

Now we just need to get rid of Applebees, Chilis, Chiptole, etc.

Chipolte would be the exception. They at least buy all of their ingredients from local farmers. They wont add a store unless there is enough local food to support their needs.

ASUPATCH wrote:

Gonzo wrote:Awesome. Another garbage franchise bites the dust. Clearly, people are seeing the overwhelming advantages of eating at local establishments in a culturally rich college town like Boone.

Now we just need to get rid of Applebees, Chilis, Chiptole, etc.

Chipolte would be the exception. They at least buy all of their ingredients from local farmers. They wont add a store unless there is enough local food to support their needs.

Fair enough. But I'd sooner go to Black Cat any day of the week.

asu66 wrote:Rumor has it that Wilkesboro is losing Red Lobster.

It's a mean ol' economy out there. Quick, somebody tell our government leaders! I'm sure they'll respond with a workable, bi-partisan plan.

Does the rumor mean Red Lobster and Olive Garden closing?

Gonzo wrote:Awesome. Another garbage franchise bites the dust. Clearly, people are seeing the overwhelming advantages of eating at local establishments in a culturally rich college town like Boone.

Now we just need to get rid of Applebees, Chilis, Chiptole, etc.

That's all fine and dandy, but whatever they do, please leave Taco Bell alone. Love those Mexie Melts.

A moment of silence here for me ................................ Our daughter worked at Ruby's while going to APP as did her now husband - That is where they met ---

lillycafe wrote:

asu66 wrote:Rumor has it that Wilkesboro is losing Red Lobster.

It's a mean ol' economy out there. Quick, somebody tell our government leaders! I'm sure they'll respond with a workable, bi-partisan plan.

Does the rumor mean Red Lobster and Olive Garden closing?

OG's doing well. Often see customers waiting to be seated. Rumor says LongHorn will take it's place.

Is IHOP still planning on coming to the old Blockbuster building, or did that fall through? Give me the Sunrise Grill any day- Just Curious.

MAD Doctor wrote:Is IHOP still planning on coming to the old Blockbuster building, or did that fall through? Give me the Sunrise Grill any day- Just Curious.

Grandview in Foscoe is still my favorite. Last I heard an IHOP and Zaxbys are both still a go.

Now I don't know what to do with the dozens of coupons they sent me in the mail. I got more coupons from Ruby Tuesday's in the mail than anything else combined.

Never went there, but it's a crowded restaurant scene. Knights on Main in BR just closed as did a couple other local BR places.

AFAIK, IHOP is going into the former Blockbuster. Zaxby's is going in near the driving range on 105. Chipotle's opened in front of Lowe's Hardware a few weeks ago and Waffle House opened in the late fall across from McDonald's.

They closed Biscuitville in N. Wilkesboro last year.
THAT killed me, not many west of 77

According to some people's logic they should also close;
Wal-Mart
Kmart
Lowes
Toco bell
Comfort suites
LaQuinta
Sleep inn
Mcdonalds
Hardees
Super 8
BB&T
Holiday inn express
State employees credit union
Harris teeter
Rite aid
Walgreens
And many many more places that make Boone a more enjoyable convenient place to go to school.
Some of you people go wayyyyyyyyyyyyy overboard on everything, even wanting people with jobs to lose them.
Smh

AppGrad1 wrote:According to some people's logic they should also close;
Wal-Mart
Kmart
Lowes
Toco bell
Comfort suites
LaQuinta
Sleep inn
Mcdonalds
Hardees
Super 8
BB&T
Holiday inn express
State employees credit union
Harris teeter
Rite aid
Walgreens
And many many more places that make Boone a more enjoyable convenient place to go to school.
Some of you people go wayyyyyyyyyyyyy overboard on everything, even wanting people with jobs to lose them.
Smh

Some people used to serve on commitees with High Country Host. Some people used to do marketing work in High Country tourism. Some people saw the harm that came to local restaurateurs, the tourist/college town appeal, and the High Country brand when local spots are stong-armed by national franchises with superior resources first hand.

Not very comparable to local hotels etc, the owners of which served along side of me, I mean some people, in various capacities in service of the area.

AppGrad1 wrote:According to some people's logic they should also close;
Wal-Mart
Kmart
Lowes
Toco bell
Comfort suites
LaQuinta
Sleep inn
Mcdonalds
Hardees
Super 8
BB&T
Holiday inn express
State employees credit union
Harris teeter
Rite aid
Walgreens
And many many more places that make Boone a more enjoyable convenient place to go to school.
Some of you people go wayyyyyyyyyyyyy overboard on everything, even wanting people with jobs to lose them.
Smh

You forgot Appalachian State Univ., a franchise of the Univ. of North Carolina System.

wataugan03 wrote:Middle tier restaurants have been struggling since the mid 2000's. The money is at the high and low end. You would think Ruby Tuesday's biggest competitor would be Applebees, but I think its really cookout and hardees.

Add to that the push among educated middle-income earners to shop and eat locally and I think its clear that chains like Golden Corral and Ruby Tuesday's are in trouble. And of course Red Lobster and Olive Garden are already skimming rock bottom.

Too many eating places chasing too few $$. Nobody makes any money.