Posted on 07/04/2011 1:19:27 PM PDT by 2ndDivisionVet
We live in a backwards world where great things happen to bad people, bad things happen to good people, and where Sarah Palin is considered a legitimate presidential candidate. The greatest example of the inverse nature of our universe is the success, or lack of success found by restaurants around the world, particularly the United States. We live in a world where Noah’s Bagels nears bankruptcy while McDonalds thrives on our fatty flesh (and charging for sauce packets? GET THE HELL OUT OF HERE.).
In a list published by The Street, twenty restaurant chains are at risk of going under. Some are on their way up, others on their way down, and some are just chilling out in mediocrity. The list was compiled using an Altman score which combines a bunch of different factors to measure the health of a company (and its investment quality). Over a 3.1, you’re all good; under a 1.8 and you’re screwed; anywhere in between is a glorious grey mass. It should be noted that a company filing for bankruptcy does not equal its’ speedy dismissal from this Earth. Marie Callender’s went bankrupt earlier this year, and while they’ll be closing many of their mediocre restaurants; I’m almost positive the one outside Six Flags Magic Mountain will remain open. Thank God, how else am I supposed to get free parking for Six Flags? Oh, and expensive pies.
Red Robin and Sonic are both on their way out of despair, which is a shame; there is nowhere more mediocre than a Sonic restaurant. It’s the kind of place people go to because they can’t come up with anything more interesting, or after they've already been to Carl’s Jr. four times that week. Red Robin is overpriced, and the service has always been “meh”. Seriously, charge me fifteen dollars for a burger without smiling? Screw you, bro.
Noah’s Bagels is also recovering, which is great; because I’d probably cry if the only decent bagel place in my area shut down. Domino’s Pizza is also considered a bankruptcy risk, although its’ stock has risen 85% over the past year. It remains 29% lower than it was pre-recession, but that’s partially because the pizza tasted like cardboard until about a year ago. Moral of the story: bad companies have a harder time selling their slop when no one has any money.
DineEquity, the restaurant group that owns Applebee’s and IHOP is also struggling mightily, although the almost-as-good-as-TGI-Fridays casual restaurant chain has experienced some growth recently due to a revitalization of the brand. IHOP has continued to struggle though, probably because the pancakes suck, and Denny’s is at least perceived as having a greater swath of options than a place that is dedicated 100% to pancakes, more or less.
Apparently not as many people are thinking Arby’s as the commercials claimed; the Wendy’s/Arby’s group is diverging, so that the company can focus on their namesake brand (Wendy’s). First step: Enough of the damned sea-salt french fries. My hamster loves them, but hey, he also licks a block of salt all day just to get his kicks. This is one company that is moving downwards right now, which seems to be the exception and not the rule on this list.
Denny’s is a weird one because while it has turned a profit four straight years, it has a negative Altman score. I’m obviously not a stock expert, but this seems weird to me. Apparently the chain has underperformed and taken heat for giving away too much food; all I know is that those grand slam breakfasts are freaking awesome -- as is the heartburn that follows.
Here’s a list of the twenty riskiest restaurant stocks, better head out to your favorite’s to hopefully push them back towards the black! The list goes from least risky to most risky:
Red Robin Gourmet Burgers
Sonic
Ruby Tuesday
J. Alexander’s
Carrols Restaurant Group
Einstein Noah Restaurant Group
O’Charley’s
Kona Grill
Ruth’s Hospitality Group
McCormick & Schmick’s Seafood Restaurant
Bravo Brio Restaurant Group
Domino’s Pizza
Rick’s Cabaret International
DineEquity
Morton’s Restaurant Group
Wendy's/Arby's
Granite City Food & Brewery
Denny’s
Good Times Restaurants
Cosi
doesn’t surprise me in the least about Wendy’s, they won’t take a bill larger than a $20. Corporate decision, even though they know it’s costing them money, they don’t care.
It only costs $1 for a large iced tea at Mc’d’s
They went bankrupt didn’t they? They closed all but a couple in NC. I think Greensboro and Charlotte are the only two left.
“... I’m obviously not a stock expert”
Not much of a writer either.
Not to mention folks like me that really pay attention to what type of workers they have- I even peek in the back if I possibly can. If I suspect the crew are illegals I will never ever return. I would rather deal with a spaced out teen that has no idea how to make change- at least they are likely citizens and they need to learn how to work somewhere- I encourage them every chance I get.
In my geographical area, I know of five closed Fudds I could drive to in 30 minutes, and only one still in operation.
Ringle Bells, Ringle Bells... LOL
“5 Guys is about the same cost as Wendy’s...and 100X better.”
Huh? The only time I went to Five Guys it was 10 bucks for a burger, fries and drink.
Wendy's...Double Baconator Combo (medium): $7.99
5 Guys: Bacon Cheeseburger (which is 2 patties), regular fries (enough for 2-3 people) and drink: $10.57.
The size of the fries plus the quality of the burger makes 5 Guys a better value, at very close to the same price.
Yes I know of at least a dozen that have closed.
But twenty years ago, when they were just starting, people would wait in line for 30 minutes to get in.
My eating experiences there were always good. They actually made malts with malt added.
All I can think of was my bicycle trips to McDonalds around 1960.
Burgers 15 cents.
Fries a dime.
Go to YouTube and look at what the KFC target demographic was 35 years ago. Now look at today's.
Same with McDonald's...my son calls them "Ghetto Burger" and suggests that Homie the Clown would be a much better mascot today.
That's $1.82 today adjusted for inflation.
Price today? $2.00. But the quality in 1960 was far superior, without a doubt.
Oh, Nixon got it 24/7 from the press, too, BUT He was in office! and they pretty much quit after he resigned.
But you are right, nothing like thae attack on Sarah Palin--AND she is a private citizen!!
She must have them dribbling in their Depends.
It was a different time. I was 11 or 12 yrs old. Mom gave me two quarters and I rode my bike a couple miles to get there - wow I was hot stuff.
You obviously didn't avail yourself of the items on the value menu. Here, I'll help: "junior bacon cheese burger, value fries, small chili, to go". Less than $4. The kids just need to know their place, and their place is the value menu.
Words of wisdom.
A Republican member of Congress called him when he was lying about obamacare. The other Republicans almost lynched the guy. a lesson learned.
I’m not surprised. We don’t eat at any of these places.
Up His.
Yep. Hey jerk writer! We also live in a world where you seem to think people give a s#$%T what you write!!!
fararararara rarah rah rah
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