There always seems to be restaurant news on the menu. Let's take a look at some of this week's more appetizing stories.
1. Bad luck Chuck
Oh no, O'Charley's
This certainly isn't the company's finest hour. Last month's quarterly report saw a dip on the top line with lower same-store sales at all three of its concepts -- O'Charley's, Ninety Nine Restaurants, and Stoney River Legendary Steaks. Margins were smacked so hard that it posted a larger-than-expected loss.
2. She sells thee Shells
There are things far worse than credit downgrades. Shells Seafood Restaurant filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection this week, closing nearly half of its 18 company-owned seafood eateries.
This isn't as dire as the Chapter 7 liquidation of the parent company of Bennigan's and Steak & Ale earlier this summer, but it's just one more concept on shaky ground with the inability to appease its creditors.
The upside is that the shakeout will benefit the survivors once casual dining marches back into patron fancy, but it's troubling to see the sector turn into the culinary version of Survivor.
3. Rock my Chalupa
Taco Bell is rocking out again. The value-minded fast-Mex chain is kicking off its Feed the Beat contest, where it will provide a month's supply of late-night snacks to 100 indie bands. It's essentially $500 in Taco Bell spending money, but even a little money goes a long way at Taco Bell these days.
It's an interesting promotion for the Yum! Brands
4. Summer sweetness
Making its already massive menu even bigger, Cheesecake Factory
Cheesecake Factory is also expanding its Weight Management category, featuring diet-friendly items that clock in at 590 calories or less. Yes, it's hard to position yourself as a dieting choice when you have dozens of signature cheesecakes gleaming through glass enclosures, and are known for gigantic portions, but there's no harm in trying to lure calorie-counters in order to avoid getting vetoed as a dining choice.
5. Checking in on the Hardee's boys
CKE Restaurants
Franchised locations may not contribute as much financially as company-owned locations on an operating basis, but that is partly offset by high-margin royalties and one-time sale proceeds.
Thankfully for CKE, burger chains like McDonald's
6. More pies, please
Papa John's
Papa John's is tying the rollout to this week's start of the NFL season, but given some of the eclectic ingredients, I'm guessing that some of these pies will go down about as well as the ineffective Washington Redskins offense last night.
Check out this week's dessert specials: