Did someone say "Hot dog on a stick?"
Posted on 02/20/2014 9:16:19 AM PST by Phillyred
Edited on 02/20/2014 11:02:36 AM PST by Admin Moderator. [history]
Sbarro Inc. says it's closing 155 of its U.S. locations, mostly in mall food courts where traffic has declined. The Melville, N.Y.-based pizza chain said Wednesday the closures affect 1,400 workers. The move comes as the company is trying to improve its financial performance and update its image under yet another CEO who took over just last year. Jonathan Dedmon, a representative for Sbarro, says the targeted locations will close Thursday. "The last day of business is today," he wrote in an email. Sbarro filed for bankruptcy protection in April 2012 when it was no longer able to contend with declining sales and rising costs. It emerged from Chapter 11 protection in November 2012, saying that it had significantly cut its debt and received a new $35 million capital infusion. Shortly after, it named James Greco, a former head of bagel chain Bruegger's Enterprises, as its CEO. Greco led a push to revitalize the chain's image by touting new recipes and ovens. But the efforts apparently didn't take hold; Sbarro named David Karam its CEO last year. Dedmon did not respond when asked why Greco was replaced. Sbarro owns 400 locations in North America. The closures do not affect the additional 175 Sbarro locations in the region that are owned by franchisees. After the closures, Sbarro said it will operate 800 stores worldwide, including 81 that were opened last year.
(Excerpt) Read more at philly.com ...
Sounds like more food and other retailers will be joining them.
I can’t remember ever seeing one outside of a mall food court. And I can’t remember the last time I went to a mall, so I guess this doesn’t surprise me.
I’ve seen them only in truck stops .... guess it depends on life-style where you see ‘em.
Interesting since 2 weeks ago “Hot Dog on a Stick” went under too.
Very interesting.
Sbarro’s is on every air base and Army post. Every PX/BX has one.
I doubt those are affected.
The first thought through my mind was:
“Could this decision have been finalized as a reaction to the soon to be MANDATED increase in the Minimum Wage.
Sbarros is exactly the type of business that will/would be badly impacted by a large unsustainable increase in labor costs. This may well have been the LAST STRAW, the one to break the Camel’s back.
When you are hanging on by your fingernails, what do you do when someone steps on your hands?
Just thinking, mind you.
“Greco led a push to revitalize the chain’s image by touting new recipes and ovens”
I cannot remember seeing one commercial or advertisement about that change. Then again, I honestly couldn’t’ tell you where the closest Sbarro’s was in my town. I don’t do shopping malls if I can’t help it, and that seems to be where they do (or did) most of their business.
The one time I did eat at Sbarro’s, I wasn’t impressed with the pie at all. Maybe I’m buying into the hype a bit, or maybe I just had a bad experience, but I expected more from a place touting NY-style pizza.
Mall food courts could be doing booming business and it wouldn’t make Sbarro’s pizza taste any less awful.
See my post. Lifestyle, indeed...
More social fallout to be laid at the feet of our Marxist-in-Chief.
I’ve had the unfortunate experience of eating at one of those. It’s been a while, but the basic awfulness of the food is still fresh in my mind.
Never been to one but when Domino’s had the same problem, they simply built a better pizza.
Sbarro’s are closing?
No problem. I’ll get some cardboard. Spread some thin tomato sauce on it. And a little chhese.
Problem solved.
other than mall food courts, i have seen them in airport food courts...
It wasn't you. I've eaten at the place in a number of different states, mostly when I'm really hungry and I always expect the pizza to be better than it turns out to be. It's just not very good pizza.
There used to be a number of them in airports, but they “improved” the food to the point where it became inedible, so those have been dwindling the last couple of years.
Did someone say "Hot dog on a stick?"
They already closed our local Sony Store two weeks ago, had no idea til I went to the mall a few days ago and was told they closed down due to lack of business
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