Posted on 05/17/2014 4:37:41 PM PDT by rickmichaels
America's changing eating habits are killing Red Lobster.
The chain's parent company, Darden Restaurants, announced on Friday it was selling Red Lobster to a private-equity firm for $2.1 billion after years of sagging sales. While it may sound strange to call a chain with such a high price tag "dying," much of that $2.1 billion covers Red Lobster's real estate. What's left of the brand's value is "fairly minimal," Sterne Agee analyst Lynne Collier wrote in a note.
The cheddar-biscuit purveyor's demise is being hastened by a growing American preference for micro-managing meals that can be scarfed down quickly. The era of families sitting down to a meal conceived by food scientists and prepared in a kitchen they cant see is fading. That is bad news for a host of other chains, including Olive Garden, which Darden still owns.
"Even as consumer spending has improved, many consumers have still been less willing to spend on sit-down meals," noted a recent report from market research firm IBISWorld. "Instead, consumers have shown a preference for cheaper fast-casual concepts.
(Excerpt) Read more at huffingtonpost.com ...
You actually “dressed for dinner”and then went to Red Lobster? You expected others to be “dressed for dinner”?
What were you raised in a barn?
Oh.... I guess maybe you were.
So was I but I knew that RL was a low rent kind of place. ;)
Ahhhhh!
I remember back a number of years ago, really around the turn of the century, when Red Lobster was quite good.
Much has changed since then.
It is a ironic that there are no Red Lobsters in the state of Maine. Especially since that is the theme of the restaurant chain.
” As further testimony to their excellence, they’re located just up the road from the sewage treatment plant-———”
—
You had me rolling on the floor with that one.
If I ever get to Bangor I’ll have to give it a try.
By the way-—interesting movie—”The Lunchbox”.
Ciao !
M
.
“BTW - Hi there Metesky and Mears - long time no chat - hope all be well with y’all!!! “
You too,Gabz.
We just have to keep on truckin’.
M
.
I've never had octopus, but the Weekly Stsandard book review didn't make raw octopus sound too good:
The octopus meal arrives cut-up but alive, along with plates of dipping sauces: The muscular arm segments look like little slugs, writhing about, gray and stubby, seething all over one another, Courage writes. The suckers grip the plate: Once you do manage to get one of these dang things on your chopsticks, it will likely wrap or suction onto the wood with one end, another end twisting around in the air, as if exploring like a blind inchworm. Inside the authors mouth, the suckers grab her gums until she pries them off with her tongue.
Exactly....And, all these food prices haven't trickled down to the restaurants yet.
The Real Inflation Fear - US Food Prices Are Up 19% In 2014
Animal intelligence is tough to get a handle on. I like reading about animal communication -- stuff like Alex the African gray parrot, and deciphering the language of orcas. (Maybe language is too strong a word, but it may really fit.)
They're better cooked and they don't suck your cheeks. They taste similar to calamari. Both squid and octopus need to be quick fried or slow cooked to be tender.
Thanks for the movie recommendation - you’re my favorite movie critic and never disappoint!
A few people attended my mother's viewing wearing shorts; my brothers and I thought this was disrespectful and offensive. Maybe you would describe this as "to each his own". You're welcome to your own opinions though. No further discussion necessary.
I thought red lobster is dying because it was owned by democrats who constantly offend their customers.
ie olive garden dissing the American flag, supporting mooshel Obama, etc...
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