Bennigans takes it in the poop shoot

From the WallStreet Journal today:

National restaurant chains Bennigan’s and Steak & Ale have closed their doors and filed for Chapter 7 bankruptcy protection, shuttering more than 300 locations and letting go of thousands of employees.

It is one of the country’s largest restaurant bankruptcies and eliminates two sit-down chains that have been part of the casual-dining landscape for decades. The chains will liquidate and aren’t likely to re-open.

Late Monday, managers at Bennigan’s and Steak & Ale were told not to open restaurants the next day, according to two people familiar with the matter. Employees were told there wouldn’t be enough money to pay them for the rest of the week, these people said.

As far as how this will impact Austin, KXAN reports that an Austin area Franchise Manager stated they planed to stay open.

An Austin franchise manager said his store planned on staying open, as well as all of the other Bennigan’s franchise stores.

NBC 5 called the company’s headquarters, which yielded a “no comment” early Tuesday.

I’ve called one of the local ones on 183 and received no answer so that to me smells of closing.  Another sign of down-turning economy.  Interestingly enough TGI-Fridays and Bennigans all recently went over store make overs to stay afloat but Bennigans seemed to continue to downward spiral, which sucks because the food there (used to be) is pretty good.  As of recently stuff has gotten much more greasy.  But that said, I used to love the location in the Houston Galleria.

Another interesting tid-bit is if you ever watched the movie Office Space, “Chotchkie’s” is based loosely on Bennigan’s and TGIF restaurants. (More TGIF though because of the flair..)

Urbangrounds has also posted about this.  He actually worked for them.  I have a couple buddies that have worked for Bennigans/S&A as well.

Here are the Austin Locations from the KXAN site:

Bennigan’s Grill & Taverns in Austin

7604 N. Interstate Highway 35 (512) 451-7953

12415 N. Interstate Highway 35 (512) 821-1319

13995 US 183 North (512) 257-7713 (reported closed)

301 Barton Springs Rd. (512) 472-7902 (reported closed)

Houston Closings: