re: Red Lobster goes vertical on plate to push quality. Wants to be Fine Dinning

quote:

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And besides, a "mom and pop" couldn't afford the rent in the majority of the places that harbor chain restaurants.

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This is exactly why I don't get why everyone thinks a chain puts "mom and pop" out of business or that if a chain wasn't here more local places would open. Most people have absolutely no clue how much it costs to open and operate a restaurant much less turn a profit. Not to mention the hours and dedication to make it work. Most restaurants are one small crisis away from closing the doors. They live on the edge and too many people think its something akin to romantic.

Case in point is Latte e Miele last week. Apparently the owners father died along with another crisis or two and he's done. Happens all the time. And each and everyone on here that advocates more local owned restaurants would run away like Carl Lewis if someone asked them to invest and showed them a spreadsheet.