2024 is indeed a hurdle for many chain catering brands. Even some overseas chain stores that usually seem to have a good business and are well-known have intensively announced store closures this year. To put it bluntly, this matter is not far away from us. Prices have been rising, and rent and labor costs have also put pressure on these brands. If you find that the store you frequent has suddenly hung up with a "permanently closed" sign, or the menu you are familiar with suddenly increased a lot, it is actually a microcosm of this big environment. In this closed list, a full 12 well-known chain brands are reducing their size to save their lives, including many familiar names like Red Lobster, Denny's or Applebee's.
How to accurately check the latest menus and prices on this site
In this turbulent period, if you want to eat with these chain brands, you'd better do your homework on this site first. Because once the brand starts to close stores on a large scale, the remaining stores adjust their menus very frequently in order to survive. You will find that in the same city, the store in the east of the city and the store in the west of the city have different prices and packages. After searching for brand names on this site, you can directly enter the corresponding brand details page. Normally, we will list the brand's reference prices in major regions and the latest menu changes. I suggest you focus on those items marked with Limited Time Offer. Many stores now launch some cost-effective temporary packages in order to withdraw funds, but such discounts are usually fleeting.
In addition, after clicking on the specific menu page, remember to pay attention to the differences between different stores. Although chain stores should theoretically be standardized, under the operating pressure in 2024, many franchisees will have their own "small calculations". Although the menu information provided on this site covers a wide range of areas, the safest way is to find the specific link to the branch near you on the brand page and check it, especially those with and without a Bar. There are often two sets of price systems. If you see a certain item marked with Price Variations by Location, then you must have an expectation that stores on busy roads will definitely be a buck or two more more expensive than stores in the suburbs.
How to understand the current set menu, what to pay attention to when ordering
Now go to these brands to eat, the logic of ordering has to change. In the past, we used to order Combo directly and thought it was a good deal, but now the trend is that many brands are quietly playing "shrinking". You may find that the included Side Dish now costs extra, or that what was originally a large drink defaults to a medium. This so-called Shrinkflation will be particularly common in 2024. Therefore, when looking at the menu on this site, don't just focus on the price. Be sure to read carefully what is included in the package. In order to retain customers, some stores will launch a bundled event similar to 2 for $20, which may be much more suitable than a single order at this time.
When ordering food, there are still a few details that can easily fall into the trap. The first is the issue of size. If you can't make up your mind, you can ask how much the difference between Regular and Large is. Sometimes the weight gained by adding a few cents is actually quite useless. The second is Add-ons, such as adding Cheese and replacing Premium Side, which add up to often surprise your final bill. Then there are taxes and tips. Although that number is written on the menu, tax has to be included when checking out. Nowadays, consumption tax is rising in many places. As for tips, if it's the kind of Casual Dining that sits down and has some food service, the default starting point is basically up now. Pay attention to the percentage options on the screen when checking out, and don't be fooled by the default high percentage.
Why are these established chains suddenly failing
People often say that "a skinny camel is bigger than a horse", but the experience of these 12 chain brands tells us that if we can't keep up with the current pace, camels will be very difficult. On the one hand, it is the impact of takeout platforms. People are now more accustomed to ordering Uber Eats or DoorDash to solve the battle, and these traditional chain brands, especially the kind of sit-down catering that focuses on the store experience and requires tipping servers, have too heavy cost structures. In order to cover these extra costs, brands can only choose to close those branches whose rents are too expensive and customer flow is unstable. That's why you see so many older brands on the list, making what's called a "strategic retreat."
On the other hand, today's diners 'appetite has also changed. People prefer healthier and more transparent Fast Casual restaurants, or local shops with unique characteristics. Like fried fish, burgers and macaroni that have remained unchanged for decades, the appeal is indeed declining. For these brands facing a wave of store closures, 2024 is a screening process. Surviving stores may try digital transformation, such as implementing smarter apps to order meals and launching leaner menus. For us consumers, although there are fewer choices, what remains is often the one with more standardized operations and more stable dishes. If you still miss the old taste, hurry up and check if the one at your doorstep is still there before they are locked up too thoroughly.
Go to our brand page or menu page to check the latest prices
Overall, the catering market in 2024 is very variable, and the actions of these 12 brands are just the beginning. Whether you want to go nostalgic or simply want to find a place to fill your stomach, getting into the habit of checking the menu first can help you save a lot of wasted money. After all, the current menu price is changing rapidly. Maybe it was the same price last month, but the sticker will be replaced this week. If you want to know specific dish adjustments, price fluctuations, or whether the store closest to you is still open, it is recommended to spend an extra two minutes to check the latest prices on our brand page or menu page. When ordering food in this way, you will feel confident and eat more smoothly.
