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Ambience proves success factor for casual diningAmbience proves success factor for casual dining

Chains like Cheddar's and Buffalo Wild Wings are finding success by focusing on the atmosphere of their restaurants.

Lisa Jennings, Executive Editor

April 29, 2013

10 Min Read
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After casual-dining sales plummeted earlier this year in the worst three-month performance since 2010, talk among chain operators took a sobering turn.

In first-quarter presentations before analysts, executives at many of the nation’s largest publicly traded casual-dining chains began speaking openly about something industry observers have said privately for years: The rules that built such casual-dining juggernauts as Chili’s Grill & Bar and Olive Garden no longer apply.

While economic conditions remain tenuous, that is no longer a valid crutch for explaining flagging sales — especially when some casual-dining brands are flying high. Instead, operators increasingly are admitting that lackluster performances reflect being out of line with ...

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About the Author

Lisa Jennings

Executive Editor, Nation's Restaurant News and Restaurant Hospitality

Lisa Jennings is executive editor of Nation’s Restaurant News and Restaurant Hospitality. She joined the NRN staff as West Coast editor in 2004 as a veteran journalist. Before joining NRN, she spent 11 years at The Commercial Appeal, the daily newspaper in Memphis, Tenn., most recently as editor of the Food and Health & Wellness sections. Prior experience includes staff reporting for the Washington Business Journal and United Press International.

Lisa’s areas of expertise include coverage of both large public restaurant chains and small independents, the regulatory and legal landscapes impacting the industry overall, as well as helping operators find solutions to run their business better.

Lisa Jennings’ experience:

Executive editor, NRN (March 2020 to present)

Executive editor, Restaurant Hospitality (January 2018 to present)

Senior editor, NRN (September 2004 to March 2020)

Reporter/editor, The Commercial Appeal (1990-2001)

Reporter, Washington Business Journal (1985-1987)

Contact Lisa Jennings at:

[email protected]

@livetodineout

https://www.linkedin.com/in/lisa-jennings-83202510/

 

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