Posted on 05/05/2023 4:46:04 AM PDT by Libloather
Burger King has estimated that the fast food giant will have to shutter up to 400 locations across the country this year.
The iconic burger chain said that underperforming stores will be the first to go.
Following the announcement of the company's first quarter results, CEO Joshua Kobza said the chain expects to shut between 300 and 400 locations in 2023.
This is a historic high - the company usually closes a couple of hundred stores annually, Kobza said.
According to its earnings release, Burger King axed 124 locations in the year up to March, leaving 6,964 restaurants.
Not all of the 300 to 400 locations closing their doors this year have been revealed, as boss Kobza admitted there is 'a fair degree of uncertainty' around the plans.
Sales performance can vary greatly between Burger King locations, and the company said it is seeking additional franchisees with stronger finances this year.
Chairman Patrick Doyle said: 'There will always be a minority [of franchisees] who aren't dedicated, enthusiastic operators. We'll work with them to leave the system and move on to do something else.
'There simply is no room for franchisees who are not willing or able to work hard to operate restaurants that are better than the system average over the long term.'
It comes after two Burger King franchisees declared bankruptcy earlier this year.
For decades, the home of the Whopper has had to live in the shadow of the Golden Arches of McDonald's as America's second-biggest burger chain. In 2020, it lost its second-place spot to Wendy's.
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Odd that Chick-fil-A has no problem.
Maybe it's because they treat their employees as valued people?
One of the trends I've seen is food bars in grocery stores. They can get fairly sophisticated in wealthy areas. I was house sitting in Oakland county Michigan(auto wealth) some years ago and one could get a pre-cooked filet mignon meal at half the cost of a restaurant meal at one of the high end grocery stores. None of the stores in my metro area serve filet mignon, but you can get a decent meal for $10 or so.
I am guardian to a 61 y.o. woman who is special needs and very OCD. She eats the same thing for lunch everyday and nothing you try will change it...a plain (no cheese) burger, diet coke and fries. We like BK because of all the burger joints, they get her weird order right the most and also they have the fastest service.
No lectures on how I should make her eat better. She’s been eating like this for over 50 yrs and would rather starve than change...sigh
These days it seems the only pool of workers that fast food restaurants pull from is the local probation office.
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Why work in fast food when you can work in a barista with a constant flow of traffic, without the grease pit?
Both fast food and coffee outlets are completely saturated with location after location.
The “rub” for these businesses is the customer & labor supply have more choices at this time.
Oh no! Now where am I going to get my “Proud Whoppers?”
We do have a couple of upscale seafood places that keep our dining-out budget over limit. Saffron Oysters, crab stuffed flounder and scallops are my weaknesses.
Maybe it's also because they have Sundays off and have a generally Conservative corporate viewpoint.
Chick-Fil-A is the "Fox News" of the fast food world.
Thier Bud Light was the Impossible meat thing.
I think fast food is dying overall. People are more health-conscious and fast food like McDonalds and Burger King have horrible health reputations.
I go a Chick FIL A near an area that is called the "War Zone" in Albuquerque on occasion. Everyone who works there speaks English as a second language. It's right near Kirtland AFB. It is clean, friendly, fast (food is often out to me before I can get my straw, napkins and Texas Pete's sauce), and the food tastes good. The Burger King right next to it is damn near empty every time I drive by. The Church's Chicken down the road is empty due to locked lobby because of the homeless problem. It's weird. Some restaurants have no problems dealing with the homeless causing problems and others can't get rid of them. These places are all within a city block or two of each other.
Culvers has great staff and good food.
My fast food preferences are now down to two: Golden Chick and Whataburger. Raising Cane’s was cut from the list when I learned Angela Reese was an endorser of theirs. McDonalds is no longer an option, the closest one takes way too long to move people through their drive through.
What, no more Pride Burgers?
I have bought nothing from these people since they did that.
I used to love BK, but all the ones around where I live now (Indy Northside) are filthy. Had a friend who went to the closest one a while back, bought a Whopper JR. and when she bit into it got a decent wad of hair in her first and last bite, neither of us have been back to a BK since. Steak and Shake is having the same problem and is also dying.
Location did you say? In Australia Burger King operates under the name “Hungry Jack”, and does very well. Their locations are typically packed, their service is quick and largely automated with ordering kiosks, and their menu items include the veggie burger which was dropped from the U.S. menu several years ago when they introduced the “Impossible Burger”.
Heard Christmas Tree Stores are near bankruptcy too.
Yes, I live just south of Boston.
Toms King is in Chapter 11.
Once had a Burger Chef in our towm. Over 50 years ago. Remember could get a cheese burger, small fries and a coke for under$1.
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