Fast casual dining is declining

Dozens of Red Lobster locations across the U.S. are on the chopping block. Restaurant liquidator TAGeX Brands announced this week that it would be auctioning off the equipment of over 50 Red Lobster locations that were recently closed as part of the seafood chain’s “footprint rationalization.”
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[@Hikikomori_Gaming]

Stay home, cook at home, work from home, everything at home. Society is done.

[@kashourikatsu2543]

Faaacts

[@alyssajones4368]

For real.

[@TOPHITTA463]

Agree f society

[@xtrm2009]

I guess that's the good side we have to look at. At least we don't have to deal with rude employees with their heads in their behinds or the ones who don't even bother to wash their hands, let alone wear gloves.

[@mr.monitor.]

Solitary confinement for everyone 😅

[@bigrod359]

People no longer want to pay a premium for microwave food

[@Maxdouble07]

Facts….most of the food at these places suck anyways. It’s just not the same as making it at home and it’s cheaper to buy most things from the grocery store and cook. Not to mention the entree sizes have gone down while the prices have gone up.

[@PeaceBeStill-]

🎯

[@Tizzleee]

Screaming 😂😂😂😂😂

[@sunofabob]

Was it ever good before or are we remembering a dream?

[@bagobeans]

😅😅😅😅😅😅

[@Scrunchie_777]

Make life affordable again

[@firstlast8258]

Brandonomics

[@lateblossom]

LOL This should be the new slogan. 🤣🤣🤣

[@amethystAnge7]

💯💯💯💯💯

[@christophertreynor1234]

Pull yourselves up by the bootstraps and stop complaining..So lazy!!

[@lateblossom]

@@christophertreynor1234 Tell that to the families who are working two or three jobs to stay afloat.

[@dorothyjones8949]

It’s cheaper to eat at home.

[@xL0stKIlah]

It's not. Essentially the same

[@romeokilo4535]

​@xL0stKIlah right. I eat out alot and I send as much on groceries. Honestly I should just start juicing and eating veggies

[@Jamie-lb7eh]

You get more bang for the bucks eating cooking at home. Fast foods are shrinking and costing more.

[@ericmendoza7139]

Thats great but sometimes I like to go out and eat with my family not just at home all the time

[@TheMjr2534]

Exactly

[@lonnarheaj]

News flash: the food is terrible and it costs too freaking much!!! It does not take a genius to figure this out.

[@user-rr4or1xh2g]

The last time I went to Chili's the food was HORRIBLE. I have NO desire to return...

[@user-rr4or1xh2g]

The last time I went to Chili's the food was HORRIBLE. I have NO desire to return...

[@jdos5643]

The tipping system also didn’t help.

[@svongsa]

Yup, cook at home because it taste significantly better and healthier!

[@Stevesguitarchannel840]

Clearly America and it’s politicians don’t get the hint. They complain to us about the same exact topic every day, but do nothing to change it, which is why I’m sick and tired of listening to it. That’s why I put my channel full of videos telling stories of my past life and all the adventures I had because I’m so sick of hearing the same exact topics every day.

[@iveyhealth2266]

Consumers are tapped out. Broke!

[@user-uo6xu7dt7w]

I know I am!

[@Michael-sg8we]

FJB

[@angel91siccness]

Im far from it! But i see what your saying. I just dont like having to tip lol

[@theetruth4267]

Thank you!

[@BaileyC98]

@@angel91siccness Just don't tip. Although I don't condone that. The folks that work for tips really need them and they really work hard for them. I think everyone should have to work a year or two in the service industry. If folks knew the bull that these folks had to deal with, you know.

[@ipfreely8920]

People ate out when it was affordable. Now people rather fill their refrigerators

[@amethystAnge7]

💯

[@laurijohnson7754]

That’s hard to do with grocery prices through the roof

[@-greentoad]

People still eating out in my city. Parking lots and lobby's always full. If people can't afford it, how are they still going out in my city.

[@TheLaundryGuy32]

Tipping culture in America is out of control.

[@MrJuvefrank]

Minimum wage culture in California is out of control.

[@Haabsa22024]

Agreed. Corporations should ensure waiters or waitresses get a bonus based on customer ratings. Good service means they get a good"bonus" but it's paid by the business, not us. Because at this rate I don't want to even step in a restaurant or takeout because of tip anxiety.

[@shatteredteeth]

agree. & i hate when ppl say “if you can’t afford to tip then don’t eat out” bc there’s so much wrong w the idea of customers being responsible for paying extra in order to fund the workers!! first of all not everyone out here is rich enough to be giving their hard earned money out… ppl don’t realize that a few dollars goes a long way & with taxes too it all adds up v quick! tipping should come from kindness and receiving good service, not a mandatory fee. yall forget us customers need to work for our money too, and personally i don’t even get the pleasure of receiving tips at my job… and i make _less_ than most fast food workers do. (im a janitor)

[@Synthwave89]

To all the idiots who alway say "if you don't wanna tip, don't eat out" How's that working for ya now?

[@stopthelightskinguilt.3775]

How when you have a choice on the amount to leave the server?

[@sequoiaedwards4782]

The quality of the food went down and the prices kept going up! And you can tell the staff just don't give a damn about hospitality.

[@Hungry_inhouston]

She left that part out! Most of these restaurants have put profits over customer experience

[@randyg.7940]

Perfectly said

[@theetruth4267]

@@Hungry_inhouston it’s hard to “give a damn about hospitality” when working in a restaurant cannot purchase you a home. Big changes are needed in today’s society or it will get worse and worse. No one wants to work for peanuts. Thank you!

[@johnmartin4641]

@@theetruth4267 Applebees service was still really bad 20 years ago when housing was dirt cheap, so that’s obviously not the reason.

[@qmawpxvecxydiwixytvieowizhehsi]

Mhm

[@ianbattles7290]

That's because a single meal from a restaurant can now cost as much as an entire week's worth of groceries.

[@maggiefranks6849]

or more!

[@chai_lattes]

Yep eating out as a family of four costs $90-100+ for a casual chain restaurant. They want to stay in business they need to lower their prices. Infinite growth doesn't work when consumer's pockets are very limited.

[@leetletortuga5397]

Idk I feel like groceries are now as expensive as going out

[@willwalker6894]

@@chai_lattes They assume people will just go along with it.

[@RP-vy8st]

Yep my family all went out to eat last week and after the tip, spent 125 dollars. And we all got waters for drinks. It's crazy.

[@benjaminb.algarin7432]

Cost of living is so fucking expensive

[@Lillysaidthat1]

Right!! For a person live alone and comfortably, they better have about 4 jobs!! I make $21/hr living in Georgia and I get paid weekly. It’s still not enough to get by and I’m 29 years old 😢 it’s getting really sad. Where’s the relief? Are we going to see any?? What’s worse is that I have no kids!!! And I’m still financially struggling. I try budgeting every penny and still have nothing to show for it

[@nureauamerica]

​@@Lillysaidthat1Currently renting a place in the hood of Dallas for just over a $1k a month & I sell used ish on ebay to earn a couple grand a month on top of my day job. I'm constantly exhausted but no longer financially strapped.

[@marcoAKAjoe]

​@@Lillysaidthat1 literally in the same boat

[@AppleUploader]

@@Lillysaidthat1people voted for this apparently. That’s what happens

[@alyssajones4368]

Damn right it is, fucking insane.

[@ateezyrozaytv1]

The “Cost of Living” is pricing out 70% percent of Americans. Most Americans can’t afford to Live In America anymore

[@ArcStormcaller]

KFC $60.00 - $70.00 for a family pack for a family of 6.... No Thanks.. I'll cook on the grill tonight and save 40 bucks

[@iamantiwar2003]

Kfc is not that pricey.

[@floydsemlow8253]

​@@iamantiwar2003 40-45 in Ohio confirmed for a family of 4 to eat a family pack meal with drinks.depends on location I suppose

[@theetruth4267]

Thank you!

[@theetruth4267]

@@floydsemlow8253 too much in todays world. Thank you!

[@stoundingresults]

​@@iamantiwar2003 yes it is, and the chicken is midget size.

[@themoviebay]

People are starting to wake up and cook their own food.

[@TrentAdam]

That's actually not much cheaper than Applebee's. You can get a cheeseburger and fries for about ten bucks and to buy all the stuff for cheeseburgers at home costs more.

[@themoviebay]

@@TrentAdam it's cheaper because your get more at the market and you cook it yourself controlling all ingredients.

[@TrentAdam]

@@themoviebay No I'm talking about the ingredients you need to buy each time like ground beef, buns, veggies and maybe sliced cheese.

[@themoviebay]

@@TrentAdam I understand yes it's still cheaper especially if you are feeding more than yourself.

[@alexsmith1207]

The quantity of buying 12 buns is not that expensive than Applebee's ​@@TrentAdam

[@alyxander8897]

Cause we're fucking poor and nobody is listening to us

[@18wheeler76]

why would anyone listen when the government knows that the sheep will do nothing to fight back ? see 2020 when weak ass people were walking around in masks everywhere you went and on top of that letting government force them with a experimental medical procedure and the sheep did absolutely nothing to fight back

[@saracuse8114]

Restaurants are the worst when it comes to listening to a problem. They also hate when an idea for improvement is pitched. They act like you slapped them in the face and called them incompetent. Guess what, ITS BECAUSE YOU ARE!!!!!!

[@MarcosFMolina]

1.- People are broke 2.- For those prices you’re better either cooking your own food, or going all out to a decent restaurant.

[@MUISHAGGY572]

3. Waitress expects 25% Tip

[@bottomsupbarmaid1987]

This is exactly what I was thinking. People don’t go out casually anymore. It’s all at home or once in a while to someplace nice.

[@markdanielczyk944]

Over priced microwave garbage, poor service, it's not rocket science!

[@pricelessjake]

Burgers, steaks, chicken, fries, fish, pasta, soups, all appetizers that’s just off the top of my head there are plenty more definitely not microwaved at Applebees I’ve worked there 13 years. So I don’t get why your comment would get 125 likes 💀

[@joellucas4624]

That's true , besides being microwaved some times food is still cold!!!

[@pricelessjake]

@@CedarMountainsnow not true that’s hear say you can’t base one bad experience at 1 location and say the whole chain is bad 😂. I don’t doubt some places do that but not at my Applebees that’s just crazy.. I don’t even get what we would reheat?? We don’t make food before it’s ordered… 💀

[@markdanielczyk944]

@@joellucas4624 Yep, experienced cold food more than once. Yet never at the local restaurants!🤔

[@francismarion6400]

Teens can run these places.

[@josephcruz4696]

$4.50 for an iced tea. $9.00 for a side of Mac n cheese. $5.65 for a side salad. And the waitress expects a 20% tip to top it off.

[@rongendron8705]

The soda or drink charge is my biggest complaint! It cost them .25 cents for an iced tea or soda & they charge $4.00 for it! Why?

[@watchmanonthewall14]

All true, but the word that sticks out in your post is "expects". They are not entitled to a tip, just because they expect it. Especially 20%. Back in the stone age of the 1970s, a standard tip was 10%, and servers knew that they had to give good service to get that, or maybe a little bit more.

[@johnakass3913]

20% forced tip put me off all restaurants who does this.

[@KevinMasters-lw5de]

Don't eat if u can't tip what r you a black guy

[@KevinMasters-lw5de]

​@@rongendron8705I used to give drinks for free just asked them to look out for me I was pulling 300 for 5 hrs

[@nickgarnero9843]

Charge 40 bucks for a burger and beer. See what happens

[@angelica7236]

Rent, mortgages, car insurance, car payments are all too high. My last concern is wasting money on restaurants!!!! Common sense, not rocket science.

[@littlelamb6804]

Angelica, You are 💯% correct!!! It's just out of control! It seems like the powers that shouldn't be are trying to see how far they can push us before we all snap!

[@lisad6493]

Yep. Electric bill! Got ridiculous high!

[@sophiabulgaria3687]

Go pay your RENTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTT

[@sophiabulgaria3687]

You have BILLSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS

[@bradfordjhart]

ceo pay wasn't affected

[@Martin_Priesthood]

😂😂😂

[@patriciagurwitz509]

Got that right… Greed

[@eglesia0]

Exactly

[@Miss_Cherry]

Of course not. Neither are the stockholders.

[@rongendron8705]

Don't forget the "golden parachutes" they get, even if the restaurant chain is going bankrupt!

[@Tatsunami_Studios]

A good example of how the non rich people of the country actually have the power to shut down companies.

[@orlandojohnson5742]

Yep! Stop running to their restaurants on the weekends etc! Stay home cooking & cleanting (lol say it like Madea)!😅😅🤣

[@lesliemoore1656]

Boycotting is the most powerful tool consumers have. They need us, we dont need them.

[@jamesgraves9858]

Then the people who relied on it for income are also displaced. This comment makes no sense. What is wrong with this country is no one wants to truly work. Fast food and casual dining is the closest this country gets to manufacturing or producing anything. Get to work, America

[@kingcamilo]

Not like they did it on purpose, they cant afford it

[@Tizzleee]

@@lesliemoore1656PERIOD! We keep money in their pockets!

[@Bic3ps4Gunz]

I remember when these restaurants actually cooked food from scratch. Or made everything in house. That declined. In the late 2000s

[@javiruiz8365]

Not true! It’s been the same since the 90s! Everything is prepackaged in those restaurants

[@vingo2953]

I came to Chilis restaurant to pick up my online order yesterday and it was 75 dollars for two meals! However, the website asked the customer to tip. I’m thinking, wait …im going to drive to the restaurant and pick up my own food and tip extra to the restaurant company. Hell no. Too much!!! I decided to go grocery shopping to make 70 bucks worth of multiple meals this week. 😂

[@Liz-wz8dh]

Yeah, it's pretty insane. You can't get out of most mid tier restaurants for under about $25 a meal anymore.

[@RichV20]

37.50 per meal? Or person? That's about 4500 calories per person. WTF were you chowing down on? What meal at Chilis is $37???

[@vingo2953]

@@RichV20 We ordered 2 orders of the steak fajitas ( $21.00 per steak fajitas) with extra guacamole, extra tortillas ( corn tortillas 1.00 extra) we had an option of add ons with the meals and I ordered 2 Jalapeño-Cheddar Smoked Sausage ( additional $4.00 per jalapeño smoked sausage ) lastly, since I don’t like to share chips and dip, I ordered 2 orders of Skillet Queso at $10.49 each! The total for each person was $37. 08!!!! My receipt online came out to be $74.16 at chillies! :/ yes I eat a lot!

[@Wasupup]

Everything increasing except your salary. Go figure

[@TT-xj3si]

This is what some people fail to realize. Food prices are up and tipping is outrageous. U expect us to tip 20-30% on top of a high bill amd not thinking about my salary hasnt increased the same as minimum wage or those companies that have their employees depending on tips to survive. But instead of going after those ceo they want to come after the customer who is being hit the hardest hence doors closing on these restaurants bc the rich wants to get richer while keeping the poor and middle class below targets. Inflation my 🍑

[@secretagentcat]

all by design. they give you chumps to vote for too, while americans play the side game the rich is slurping up all the middle class cash.

[@Enjoywatchingyoutube8227]

bottom line, prices are to high for what you get . $20. a hamburger , you can buy ground beef and make 10 for that price

[@eclipz4129]

FACTS! $20 and up is the minimum of what it costs to eat out.

[@johnmartin4641]

@@eclipz4129 that’s not why these restaurants are failing. Fine dining restaurants near me are always packed. These restaurants aren’t. Why? Because everyone knows their quality has tanked over the years because they decided to go cheap on their customers, which of course meant lower quality food. Applebees and Olive Garden have fallen a long way compared to what they were in the 80s and 90s. As for Red Lobster, they did all you can eat lobster. The cost of goods sold was way higher than the revenue they took in, which is why it’s no surprise they’re in so much trouble.

[@eclipz4129]

@@johnmartin4641 That’s true, BUT If you’re ordering online the minimum is nearly $20 if not $20 and up most times and if you drive to the restaurant it’s not much different you are still looking at paying over $14 if not more depending on what state you live in or how big the order is rather it’s for yourself or feeding other people.

[@carlogambino924]

​@@johnmartin4641Olive Garden has always been trash.

[@johnmartin4641]

@@carlogambino924 true, but it wasn’t always this bad. It used to be not as bad.

[@ericmcbrian1638]

Since when are red lobster and Applebees “fast casual”? They’re “casual dining”. “Fast casual” Is something like chipotle

[@purelle626]

Exactly!

[@questtech7148]

I was thinking the same thing. Chipotle, Panera, Qdoba, Noodles & company are fast casual.

[@martinsmith2258]

I’m a manager at one of these chains and I even refer to it as fast casual because the quality of the food is comparable to Panera….maybe a little worse lol. Also it’s expect that our guests receive entrees within 14 minutes. Maybe not the fast but when you factor fast food quantity you get this terminology

[@trashyraccoon2615]

@@martinsmith2258Thanks for this comment. Yeah it’s basically fast food now. Nobody believes me when I tell them that Applebee’s used to be delicious and fresh. That was a very long time ago. They even had personal pizzas! No chain restaurant from that time is any good anymore

[@martinsmith2258]

@@trashyraccoon2615 exactly! Used to be great. Now it’s just poor quality and corporate greed. Smh

[@trademarktaz]

It’s not the price of the food but the quality of the food. These restaurants do not taste the same anymore because corporations have cut corners to save money

[@lanac7974]

And they think we can’t tell the difference

[@ethansbluefox3studioscreat134]

not to save money.. to save time.... when you inpatient spoiled American customers want your food in 3 mins or less.. you destroy the quality of the food because your rushing the actual reality and process of creating delicious food.. so you gain quantity over quality...so its your lazy government checks americans that ruined it.. straight up...

[@shoppingwithashley757]

💯

[@jskyler7]

Bingo! The burgers at Red Robin were SO MUCH tastier ten years ago. They taste as bland as cardboard now.

[@lucinosanchez9933]

We can’t afford the food prices then the tip makes it more expensive

[@Gofackyamotha]

You got that right!!!

[@apotbos]

I avoid sit down just because if the tip.

[@IncuriousWondermint]

And they force you to tip for lousy service

[@tfptravel.food.peace.3788]

True.

[@DAVIDSAWH]

Why are the servers so lazy and under qualified....

[@SalisburySnake]

The problem is that they've increased prices AND lowered quality. If they only increased prices, the people who could afford it would still eat there. But when it literally tastes like McDonald's and costs $100, no one is coming back. This has been going on way before Covid.

[@spooky9030]

I realized that when I went to dennys at the beginning of the year, the quality and quantity was reduced and more expensive. Since last time I went in 2012

[@chizorama]

Correct, before covid, glad some people remember, as they use it for an excuse for their bs that's been pretty much going on all this century.

[@nz6241]

food is horrible yet they increase their prices. Who would of thought customers are shying away from dining!

[@Liz-wz8dh]

Half the time these places can't even cook your meal right. I've gotten so many meals that were under or overcooked or tossed on the plate/box like they barely even paid attention. Restaurants seriously gave up on quality during the pandemic.

[@Jb-uy5zx]

In case no one has noticed everything is declining.

[@gasmith7486]

We’re becoming a third world country AND we warned you blue voters but you didn’t listen NOR are many not listening now!!

[@MrJoker-]

Food is crap, and the service is even worse! Paying the cost for large portions and receiving small ones isn't exactly good customer service either. Renters and sellers have priced themselves OUT of the market as well. GREED IS RAMPANT!

[@gregcooper6355]

Exactly!

[@NazriB]

Lies again? Grab Food USD SGD

[@joel203jr]

Rich man greed has been rampant for years. First our resources took a hit and now the restaurants. More wages are due! Payouts round 2.

[@UHaulShorts]

U 4gatt price hikes

[@MBarberfan4life]

A restaurant doesn't control the price of commodities. You are economically illiterate.

[@ChrisPBacon198]

Its Because Everyones Rent is Contantly Being increased

[@BaileyC98]

My dad worked at a high end Asian Fusion Restaurant in the late 90s in Jupiter Florida Abacoa area. he once said that his boss told him the rent was 20K a month. That was the late 90s to early 2000s.

[@user-rr4or1xh2g]

My rent went up $100 as of May 2024... 😢

[@jdos5643]

But the pay stays the same. You gotta keep chasing that 50 cent raise it seems.

[@BaileyC98]

@@jdos5643 Raises in the restaurant industry. LOL yeah right.

[@915rko]

We need to mess with the real estate industry

[@habibj]

People aren’t eating out. Gas, rent, food and electricity have all gone up conservatively 20% over the past 2 years.

[@sophiabulgaria3687]

Pay your RENTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTT You have GASSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS

[@justanothertroll9476]

High prices, excessive demands for tips for barely mediocre service, do they really expect a different result?

[@amandaboutourline4070]

We walked into a Chili's and waited at the host counter to be seated and we weren't even acknowledged by a person... We stood there for about six minutes before we walked out. They clearly don't want business. Good riddance!

[@imafreakinninja12]

Where I live, there's a Chili's and an Olive Garden next to each other. Every time we go to Chili's and they say there will be a half hour wait, we go to Olive Garden and get seated immediately. It's happened multiple times since 2020.

[@hahahajackmyswag]

That never happened. Why you lying

[@pricelessjake]

@@hahahajackmyswagit probably did happen at the one location.. that’s not all Chili’s so saying good riddance that other person is just a flat out idiot I will give you that.

[@LMSH530]

It’s probably a good thing you did because the food is not the same. The cheese fries don’t have enough cheese as they use too

[@bride4jesus0126]

Wow, 6 whole minutes! What a tragedy! 🙄🤦🏼‍♀️

[@sylvainh2o]

Price are going insane and everyone is broke.

[@josephorossi]

in my eyes. people today dont prefer chains. they dont have a charm like they used to. going to chilis or pizza hut or something was a real treat as a kid. nowadays, whenever we go out to eat, its almost always at a local restaurant that isnt a chain. the chains we eat at are for take out and are fast casual like chipotle, qdoba, pita pita, jimmy johns, potbelly, wingstop, roti, etc.

[@sls4170]

I agree! Why do you think they’ve lost that charm? That was spot on.

[@josephorossi]

@@sls4170 honestly im not sure. could be a lot of factors. one of them is definitely that a lot of chains just dont really evolve while people’s tastes do evolve all of the time. when i think of fridays and chilis, i think of being a kid eating there. so early 2000s pretty much.

[@sls4170]

@@josephorossi that’s true. They have to keep up with the times. But instead it seems they only lowered the quality of food. I think at least 5-6 of my favorite booming childhood restaurants have all closed down or only have a few left. Frischs, Golden Corral, Perkins, Red Lobster, Crackel Barrel (trying to revamp) , I know I’m forgetting another. It’s very sad. I don’t mind nostalgia but the food should at the very least be as good as people remember it being decades ago.

[@josephorossi]

@@sls4170 i agree. i mean some chains to me are still good. a golden corral opened near my house in 2019 and its still booming. cracker barrel to me is still great. but a lot of chains just have not aged well it seems. maybe not exactly “not aged well” but just didnt stay relevant and attractive in modern times.

[@RadianIndustries]

It is not disappointing and sad that these corporate peddlers of expensive, terrible food are going under.

[@forgogeorge9806]

Excellent 👍 description corporate - peddlers !

[@AndresVasquez-yb7vo]

It is sad because regular people like us will be out of work.

[@lesliemoore1656]

Nothing sad when greedy a holes that steal from all of us get what they deserve.

[@Liz-wz8dh]

Nope, not one bit. They got greedy during the pandemic.

[@mikezerker6925]

The problem is when thousands of these restaurants go out of business across the country many workers lose their jobs, not only the restaurants workers but the suppliers etc… then it IS sad!

[@christastone813]

It’s not just the food prices. A lot of times you go to these restaurants and get the worst service & they still expect a tip 😅

[@pinkpigletparker8703]

I was a waitress for many years. If I get crappy service they get crappy tip or no tip. I know all about the lazy waitress.

[@francismarion6400]

Because they are largely uneducated high school drop outs.

[@TheeRighteousOnee]

Its a variety of reasons. People are trying to eat healthier now days, save more money, and just dont have as much time to go out to eat.

[@lotus956]

People are probably tired of tipping.

[@sparkingdogg]

I made cheeseburgers and air fryer french fries for dinner tonight. It cost around $5 for a family of 3. Local store has 80% hamburger patties for 10 for $10. Half a bag of frozen fries was $2. Add a couple slices of cheese, and some Mio sugar free drink mix added to water, okay maybe $6. Why would I go to Applebee's and spend $60 and wait an hour? I griddle fried the burgers, they were quite delicious. It took about 10 minutes to prepare. We just don't eat out hardly at all these days.

[@knowbodiesfull5768]

​@@plowe6751Rice and beans, beans and rice. Dave Ramsey vibes!

[@djtriggamth]

Went out to eat with a female friend the bill definitely was $80 Apple bees

[@blak3brutus229]

@@plowe6751can’t eat it for 20 days in a row damn it!

[@LightofJoshua]

That’s exactly my mindset

[@manfredmann2766]

Sounds like a weeks worth of Sodium in one sitting, either way.

[@marwatson7408]

People are struggling just to pay the rent, add on to that inflation, Property taxes, food and gas prices going through the roof these issues are impacting everyone . Some people actually have to choose between gas and groceries and we wonder people why can’t afford to eat out anymore.🤷🏼‍♀️🤷🏼‍♀️🤷🏼‍♀️

[@rapidshot3033]

People aren’t even driving like that anymore

[@Liz-wz8dh]

@@rapidshot3033 Gas keeps going up too.

[@DanielRojas-nw3mv]

Insurance up up car and home 🧐🇺🇸

[@TheMrBadGuy101]

For everyone complaining about "hospitality" go do that job for that pay and tell me how thrilled you are.

[@yosemite735]

and now hospitality doesn't have a job. How thrilled are they now?

[@TheMrBadGuy101]

@@yosemite735 from every person who has quit customer service far happier. You're the problem.

[@user-ye6ty9ie8g]

@@TheMrBadGuy101 The management not allowing workers to tell karens and kens to F off is the problem

[@Haabsa22024]

@@TheMrBadGuy101no he isn't. The corporation is the problem. I'm the customer. I'm here for food. I paid for the end product. That's it. The preparation and service should be factored in. I don't ask clients to tip me when I'm doing my job in the office. They are the customer - it's not their problem what I get paid. Shouldn't be that way in fast food/dining industry either.

[@TheMrBadGuy101]

@@Haabsa22024 he is with his mind set which is the corporate mind set of "but its a job!"

[@user-li3mj4hv9u]

McDonald's $15 for number one no thks

[@Jenda-ld8dj]

And it tastes like a number two.

[@Steven64]

I blame corporate greed.

[@creepycrespi8180]

most children would.

[@robertg4355]

I blame politicians (lawyers)

[@xavierprotocols]

And I bet you voted for Joe Biden and Democrats your entire life.

[@francismarion6400]

Because of inflation? lol

[@amethystAnge7]

Same

[@sandilobianco6734]

It’s better to eat at home. You’re less likely to get food poisoning. Your standard of cleanliness might be higher and you control what goes into your meal.

[@betawolfhd]

We are so consumer based that we have to talk about the economic decline from the perspective of businesses as if any single citizen watching this is supposed to care.

[@jamesborders9841]

ITS CALLED INFLATION & EVERYONES BROKE AS A JOKE

[@ianbattles7290]

These companies forgot that their entire existence depends on being cheaper and/or more convenient than the other options.

[@lesliemoore1656]

The corporate ladder and layers of upper management of all these chains forgot who really writes their paychecks. Boycotting is a very underrated yet powerful tool that gives the consumer the upper hand and ability to call the shots, always has been.

[@francismarion6400]

Same goes for the Crack King and Son in the WH!

[@suzannalytle2758]

Bold of any restaurant to assume I have money left over to spend at them after paying rent and groceries.

[@fleabag2mr.151]

Isn't Bidenomics and Bidenflation great 😂😂😂. Elections have consequences so enjoy 😮.

[@rookiepilot.rp1]

These aren't "fast-casual" like Five Guys or Chipotle but rather Casual-dining "full-service"!

[@killerv135]

Salems is fast casual, chipotle is fast food. It take about 10-15 at salems, but chipotle im in and im out unless you want to wait in a long line.

[@Ellie80681]

Support your local restaurants and businesses! Not a huge corporation who is selling you processed junk!

[@Gofackyamotha]

Double the prices.

[@Reno-Senpai]

Local restaurants and businesses are way overpriced too, sometimes more. They're just as greedy. 🤨

[@pvl6340]

​@@Reno-SenpaiYup they're gonna hit you with the it's the "experience" line but to be fair sometimes those experiences are worth it. I think people are gonna have to start living within their means and stop trying to keep up with trends & status quo.

[@garytee3689]

😂😂😂

[@g.t.richardson6311]

@@pvl6340 in fact better quality and cheaper than the Applebees, Chili’s, cracker barrell type places

[@barryjohnson7821]

Our whole country is declining.

[@monkeydotbizness]

Once the boomers are gone these chains will be gone. As a millenial I never had the "luxury" of eating out at any of these places. Their prices are now laughable.

[@ViejoLocuelo]

Well rehearsed “conversation” by these “reporters”

[@samanthawright7053]

Also gotta love her Freudian slips, “‘praise’ I mean, raising prices”

[@00ooo000]

Buying a meal for 25.00 that's worth 8.00 is a no! I just learn how to cook a year ago and I'm saving big. All my food is organic!

[@robertg4355]

I agreed until you said organic. You are buying nothing organic. Study more on that.

[@00ooo000]

@@robertg4355 It says USDA certified. If I eat non organic I feel horrible. There's a difference.

[@thatbobusguy]

​​@@00ooo000Work in a factory that produces food items for stores across the US. The person above is right. Anyone can get a certified organic sticker on their product by greasing the third party auditor. Auditors do like bribes! Absolutely no difference in the stuff sold at conglomerate stores....hate to say. Congrats on cooking though! Too many people these days lack that skill!

[@robertg4355]

@@00ooo000 Organic Farmers can still use Pesticides. But are limited to only a few applications. They also use Chicken Poo and Human Waste for Fertilizer. That gets up into the Plant or animals as they grow. I am not knocking Your beliefs. But You should look more into the things You are buying and what’s really in it. A label can be printed with whatever the seller wants. But if it makes You better 😎😎😎

[@thiskneegrow]

Remember all the waiters saying “if you don’t tip, eat somewhere else” 😂 And they did!

[@MrNinout]

Appetizers are damn near $20 + now 😂

[@gordonallen9095]

Nobody can afford to eat out anymore. And fast food franchises have become so expensive, there is no value in going IMO. Not to mention, the quality and service has declined.

[@zombieapocalypsexx9253]

$8 today for a damn ice cream cone. I laughed at the lady behind the counter said nope i will purchase ice-cream & cones at the store make about 20 of them not pay $8.00. I walked out left wont be back

[@NaturalBeauty214]

Where was that at? $8 is insane

[@zombieapocalypsexx9253]

@@NaturalBeauty214 Upper Michigan prices are getting insane, people are getting fed up with the price gouging of food, utilities, rent & goods.

[@angelacleveland75]

$8.00???

[@chrisschulze8081]

In north Georgia one scoop of ice cream in a cone was $6….seems a bit pricey.

[@higherrealms5309]

Another overlooked fact is that the younger generations are homebodies and more likely to be single. They would much rather “Netflix and chill” than to leave the house. They also hate crowds and waiting for service in the age of instant gratification, unless it’s a special occasion. The whole “dining experience” is not held to same regard as in the past.

[@anotherBrandynMilamACC]

Bruh when I tell you I got charged A LITERAL DOLLAR FOR SOUR CREAM ON MY BURRITO WHICH WAS ALREADY $13 WITHOUT IT….

[@EricFortuneJr.]

My wife and I cook at home and go out just occasionally. It’s less expensive and much healthier just to cook at home.

[@ASD-DAD]

Overpriced, frozen food. Surprised it stayed opened this long

[@39mack23]

People are stupid lazy on average

[@mrjjthor]

High increased prices and high tip expectations are the two reasons why so many casual diners are closing IMO.

[@kazior6521]

Consumers are struggling. Some of these chains, like Chillis and Applebees, got expensive for poor quality food. Meanwhile Dennys got so pricey, it’s better to go to Outback or Longhorn for steak.

[@rosario_farina]

Well, what do you expect when everything is so damn pricey/ expensive.

[@jelambertson]

When Denny’s closes restaurants you know things are getting worse.

[@robertg4355]

The one in Greenville Miss didn’t last long. When a Dennys didn’t even have coffee on hand was ridiculous. Diversity manager.

[@pinkpigletparker8703]

​@@robertg4355Bojangles had no butter and blamed it on a busy Mother's day. No, that's poor management.

[@MultiAnne36]

Breakfast for 2 with tip is around $40 now. No thanks!

[@maxmurphy7306]

​@@pinkpigletparker8703 😆 🤣 😂 😹 😆 🤣 😂 😹

[@mikem2022]

Ya that shits unheard of

[@chicanoduke]

I went to AppleBees and the Waitress and Mgr were rude..after I waited way to long for my food..I never went back that was 4 years ago

[@Peachee1111]

Why would I decrease my profit to pay employees a decent wage? I'll pass the buck to those peasant customers of mine. No thank you.

[@raymondlin8728]

They also sell restaurants brand , frozen , stuff, like wings, fries, entree, etc in the supermarkets. Even the cocktails at the liquor store. Why go out, drive, wait, tip, drive home. Might was well pop it in the microwave, oven, grab a beer, wine, lay in your bed, chill. They pretty much did it to themselves. They pretty much did it to themselves. Example, those 100 restaurants visitor are gonna buy frozen, eat at home, no rush, no tip, no driving, and new customers will try , eat at home, no need to drive, wait, tip, drive home sober bc someone can't drink

[@lucianodouville9544]

It's funny how everything has been going up my entire life, except my pay, and now it's worth even less than before 😢

[@robertg4355]

Thank a politician. Especially a demoncrap

[@pinkpigletparker8703]

Average income 40 years ago $500 a week. 2024 same

[@francismarion6400]

You have to apply yourself or you'll be homeless.

[@Drknnja]

Private equity is stripping the assets of these companies so that they can no longer wearher a downturn.

[@DrBeauHightower]

Best economy ever the government tells me

[@conservativepersonnel8458]

The two clowns saying their childhood restaurants are closing acting all surprised. You know why they are closing. Cause they too freakin expensive

[@ArcStormcaller]

Buffalo Wild Wings ? $53.00 dollars for 15 wings ? No thanks Next on the list Cheesecake Factory Chipotle Buffalo Wild Wings

[@bigcahuna42366]

I like Chipolte, but I stopped going there when they couldn't tell the difference between lettuce and guacamole. I asked for no guac but I did want lettuce so they built my burrito as I requested, but insisted they put guac in it and attempted to apply the upcharge to my bill. A typical kindergartener would know the difference between a head of lettuce and an avocado.

[@spaceballs44]

I’d rather by the wings at a grocery store.

[@keithjackson2035]

I spent $112 at cheesecake factory for me and my wife. Not going back

[@X0AleeX0]

@@bigcahuna42366I think that’s more of an employee training issue. Probably not the norm.

[@targetegrat]

All the money I would spend at Chipotle I would just buy the stock after the stock split is complete.

[@richardkinkead7823]

We left McDonald's drive through because their menu prices don't match up with the window teller price. Mcd's use to be affordable. Not anymore. They are off the list.

[@shawnd223333]

12 bucks for 2 cheeseburgers and a drink 🤣

[@MastermindAtWork]

@@shawnd223333 I spent about $10 on a Cheeseburger and McChicken not too long ago. They're definitely not affordable anymore.

[@littlelamb6804]

Plus, McDonald's food is nasty.

[@Mouth4War88]

The customer Service sucks and the prices are through the roof…

[@cambodennis]

My dad used to deliver food to many of these chain stores. So many if them used the very same food products just packaged in different ways. I’m not surprised people caught on to the fact that the food was nothing special at Chilis and the like.

[@MikeJAk49]

Not to mention employees getting paid 15 and20 an hour Still giving out that $6 energy with attitude.

[@spinninsessions9626]

CEOs are getting paid millions upon millions more you Simp

[@watchmanonthewall14]

Yes, $6 energy!!!!

[@TrentAdam]

It really is crazy how much things are changing for people born from 1990-2000. Restaurants, communication, entertainment is all rapidly changing

[@theetruth4267]

And not in a good way. I miss blockbuster. Thank you!

[@X0AleeX0]

Yes, they don’t want to talk to each other, be seen, are too nervous to have a conversation except for Instagram of course. Life is good in Instagram.

[@jonathandiaz6]

Cars too, my town has many electric bikes/ scooters. Cars are no where near affordable

[@battles423]

2 people could eat dinner for less than $20. Now it’s nearly $40

[@alexakaa.charlesross8919]

I used to eat once a month as a special occasion, now i do it two maybe three times a year.

[@dianehill3279]

The main reason so many restaurants are closing is the economy. With high inflation, many families have had to cut back on eating out.

[@Mudslinger-qr8df]

I’ve noticed it where I work. Our prices continue to go up, the portions get smaller, service is slow, management acknowledges sales are down year over year. But no mention of trying to fix it just an it is what it is admission.

[@renegadeace1735]

Keep raising the minimum wage wtf do you think is gonna happen to prices.

[@sageart2470]

Mmm maybe because appetizer’s alone are close to reaching the $20 mark… and that’s the new base price for a meal..

[@rps-rj7fe]

Its completely overpriced for what you get and now with the tip culture getting out of hand and servers thinking they deserve an extravagant tip for bringing you a plate of food...people are canceling out dining out......times are tight.....people are buckling down....and they are getting the effects of it......

[@g7003041]

Don’t blame inflation… it all about greed. If these franchises restaurant keep their prices low or affordable, many will love to dine in. It your fault. You drive away your own customers. So don’t feel sorry for them.

[@chrisschulze8081]

The cost of everything to run a business has gone up very quickly, insurance, payroll, rent, utilities, wholesale items, gas in company vehicles…..my vehicle insurance (commercial) went from $350 per month per vehicle to over $500 a month…so I know it sucks but ultimately the cost to the final purchaser ( the customer) has to go up….or go out of business….

[@Joe-ey7cu]

I am a surviving spouse and alone now so I'd rather get take out or eat in the car than sit alone in a restaurant.

[@SeudXe]

Literally over $50 for just a lobster tail. Nobody in their right mind will pay for that.

[@daryl9799]

If i took a family of 4 to red lobster here in Canada your easily spending $200-250.

[@user-fp2vr8ed8t]

I stopped going to restaurants when they started this preemptive tipping crap. Tips, after you do something. Preemptive tipping encourages crappy service and crappy food.

[@watchmanonthewall14]

All true.

[@pat7895]

I can't believe people are shocked! People are broke and eating out is a luxury now that many of us can't afford. People are also concerned about safety, don't wanna group of young thugs bombard, trash, and rob the place. That happens here in Chicago often.

[@grumpyoldlady_rants]

You forgot to mention, at least where Red Lobster is concerned, that private equity bought the chain, sold off the real estate causing the restaurants to then have to lease back the properties at higher rates.