Bennigan's, Steak & Ale Closes Nationwide
 

Bennigan's, Steak & Ale Close,
File for Bankruptcy Protection
By JEFFREY MCCRACKEN and JANET ADAMY
WSJ
July 29, 2008 12:47 p.m.

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.

- - -

Economic problems? What? Nah.

Bennigan's, Steak & Ale Closes Nationwide
 

"hk" wrote in message
. ..
Bennigan's, Steak & Ale Close,
File for Bankruptcy Protection
By JEFFREY MCCRACKEN and JANET ADAMY
WSJ
July 29, 2008 12:47 p.m.

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.

- - -

Economic problems? What? Nah.

They had lousy food.

Bennigan's, Steak & Ale Closes Nationwide
 

On Tue, 29 Jul 2008 13:40:38 -0400, "D.Duck" wrote:



They had lousy food.

Had an excellent crawfish etouffe at the one on Michigan Avenue years
ago. Perfect crawdads, black beans rice and a real good sauce.
Next time there it was off the menu. Cook probably quit.
Wonder how TGIF is doing. Seems to be basically the same model.

--Vic

Bennigan's, Steak & Ale Closes Nationwide
 

"Vic Smith" wrote in message
...
On Tue, 29 Jul 2008 13:40:38 -0400, "D.Duck" wrote:



They had lousy food.

Had an excellent crawfish etouffe at the one on Michigan Avenue years
ago. Perfect crawdads, black beans rice and a real good sauce.
Next time there it was off the menu. Cook probably quit.
Wonder how TGIF is doing. Seems to be basically the same model.

--Vic

Lousy food there also. Of course these are just my opinions and you know
how that goes. Opinions are like belly buttons, everybody has one.

Bennigan's, Steak & Ale Closes Nationwide
 

D.Duck wrote:
"hk" wrote in message
. ..
Bennigan's, Steak & Ale Close,
File for Bankruptcy Protection
By JEFFREY MCCRACKEN and JANET ADAMY
WSJ
July 29, 2008 12:47 p.m.

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.

- - -

Economic problems? What? Nah.

They had lousy food.

Really lousy food, I surprised they have been in business as long as
they have.

Bennigan's, Steak & Ale Closes Nationwide
 

On Jul 29, 12:53*pm, Vic Smith
wrote:
On Tue, 29 Jul 2008 13:40:38 -0400, "D.Duck" wrote:

They had lousy food.

Had an excellent crawfish etouffe at the one on Michigan Avenue years
ago. *Perfect crawdads, black beans rice and a real good sauce.
Next time there it was off the menu. *Cook probably quit.
Wonder how TGIF is doing. *Seems to be basically the same model.

--Vic

To me, TGIF, Ruby Tuesday, and Applebees.

Throw 'em in a bag, shake 'em up, pour 'em out, and you can't tell
much difference....

Bennigan's, Steak & Ale Closes Nationwide
 

On Tue, 29 Jul 2008 14:04:12 -0400, BAR wrote:

D.Duck wrote:
"hk" wrote in message
. ..
Bennigan's, Steak & Ale Close,
File for Bankruptcy Protection
By JEFFREY MCCRACKEN and JANET ADAMY
WSJ
July 29, 2008 12:47 p.m.

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.

- - -

Economic problems? What? Nah.

They had lousy food.

Really lousy food, I surprised they have been in business as long as
they have.

Yup. Bennigan's was one of the worst of the yuppie fast food places.

Bennigan's, Steak & Ale Closes Nationwide
 

"Vic Smith" wrote in message
...
On Tue, 29 Jul 2008 13:58:41 -0400, "D.Duck" wrote:


"Vic Smith" wrote in message
. ..
On Tue, 29 Jul 2008 13:40:38 -0400, "D.Duck" wrote:



They had lousy food.

Had an excellent crawfish etouffe at the one on Michigan Avenue years
ago. Perfect crawdads, black beans rice and a real good sauce.
Next time there it was off the menu. Cook probably quit.
Wonder how TGIF is doing. Seems to be basically the same model.

--Vic

Lousy food there also. Of course these are just my opinions and you know
how that goes. Opinions are like belly buttons, everybody has one.

Hey, McDonald's does good business. I always looked at Bennigans,
TGIF as similar to McDonald's, but with beer and some wood.
Never went except with work mates.
Well, took my wife once for dinner when we got a gift certificate.
She said if I get another just throw it away.
Maybe cops cracking down on blood alcohol content has slowed business
in such eateries, as drinking a few beers is their main purpose, that
and catering to the business lunch crowd.

--Vic

In that category of restaurants, I have always thought Applebee's is pretty
good in terms of the quality of the meals.

Eisboch

Bennigan's, Steak & Ale Closes Nationwide
 

"John H." wrote in message
...


Yup. Bennigan's was one of the worst of the yuppie fast food places.


One of the few benefits of an economic downturn is that it weeds out the
good from the bad, similar to an infrequent hurricane clearing the dead
wood and weak trees.

Eisboch

Bennigan's, Steak & Ale Closes Nationwide
 

"Larry" wrote in message
...
hk wrote in
:



They also own Bonanza and Ponderosa Steak Houses.


They should shut them down also, simply to raise the overall quality of
resturants.


Eisboch

Bennigan's, Steak & Ale Closes Nationwide
 

On Tue, 29 Jul 2008 19:05:37 -0400, "Eisboch" wrote:




In that category of restaurants, I have always thought Applebee's is pretty
good in terms of the quality of the meals.

They seem a little more serious with the food, and more
family-oriented.
Been to one near Ft Myers, FL and one in Edwardsville, IL.
Family eat-out doings.
All I remember is my ma likes the chicken fried steak.
Can't even remember what I had. I do remember it was
a long wait to get seated in Edwardsville.

--Vic

Bennigan's, Steak & Ale Closes Nationwide
 

On Tue, 29 Jul 2008 19:11:06 -0400, "Eisboch" wrote:


"John H." wrote in message
.. .


Yup. Bennigan's was one of the worst of the yuppie fast food places.


One of the few benefits of an economic downturn is that it weeds out the
good from the bad, similar to an infrequent hurricane clearing the dead
wood and weak trees.

I think their days were numbered more due to demographic changes, and
how young people pick where they want to hang out.

They were doing well during the early '80's recession, I think,
certainly the early 90's.
First time I was there was about '85. It was the hangout for yuppies.

--Vic

Bennigan's, Steak & Ale Closes Nationwide
 

On Tue, 29 Jul 2008 18:21:03 -0500, Vic Smith
wrote:

On Tue, 29 Jul 2008 19:05:37 -0400, "Eisboch" wrote:


All I remember is my ma likes the chicken fried steak.

Wait, that might have been steak fried chicken of chicken fried
chicken. The damn thing was chicken anyway, and she really liked it.
Had a white gravy.

--Vic