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:

From here.  As many sites have reported that Starbucks is cutting back on its stores in an effort to stay profitable, 600 stores are supposed to be closed.  Initially they stated that Austin was not one of the locations that would be cut but apparently it is.

This of course is another sign of our down turning economy but not only that Austin is on the end cycle of this complete business boom with new growth.  If you go down Parmer Lane towards 1431 you’ll notice brand new businesses and new office spaces that are for lease that are just built.  Now, I fear they will sit empty for while as the economy continues to sour.   Actually I shouldn’t’ say that, we’re still in good shape here, we just grew too fast,  businesses need a chance to stop, take stock and re-evaluate.

South Congress and Academy (1007 S. Congress) – Austin
MoPac and Slaughter (5000 W. Slaughter) – Austin

Will be the 2 stores to be closed down.  To me, I really don’t care that much because Austin has plenty of Starbucks locations and not only that we have some really good local coffee shops that have a better atmosphere.  Comment if you know of some other really good local only coffee shops.