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In Tampa, restaurant business started declining earlier this year (if not earlier). Restaurants that used to be busy with a long wait now have no waits. A surprising number of restaurants have closed their doors - both franchise and locally owned.

On a recent visit to Carrabba's, we noted that the restaurant was only half full. In the past, it would have been full.

Restaurant prices are up, portions are smaller and service isn't what it used to be. All that makes dining out a less enjoyable experience than it used to be. The actions that the restaurants are taking to make a go of it seem to be self-defeating.

My Mother, who lives in a suburb of Chicago, reports much the same thing.

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Interestingly, about two years ago, a restaurant in my neighborhood sent out a flyer with a list of all the restaurants in our area that had gone out of business in recent years. It was a pretty long list. I guess the restaurant that sent the flyer was pointing out that it was still around and, therefore, must be a good place to dine.

Ironically, the restaurant that sent the flyer closed its doors about 4 months ago.

The restaurant business is tough in even the best of times.