Owners abruptly close Bennigan's chain

[rainbow4321]

Well this makes me sad... firstly, for the workers who went to bed Monday night after working their last shift (UNbeknownst to them at the time) but also because it was one of those places we had just started enjoying again..just ate there last Wednesday. It is based in my city, also, so our area will be extra hard hit with the firings/closings.
Geez, I keep thinking of our server that night...he only had a week left of having a job
;(
http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/bus/stories/073008dnmetbennigans.140b9e44.html

The Plano-based owners of Bennigan’s Grill & Tavern abruptly closed the troubled chain and two sister brands Tuesday, weeks after saying they faced severe financial problems.

A spokeswoman for Metromedia Restaurant Group said in an e-mail Tuesday that S & A Restaurant Corp., which operated the Steak & Ale, Bennigan's and The Tavern restaurants, filed for bankruptcy under Chapter 7. In a Chapter 7 filing, all assets are sold off to pay debtors and the company closes.

<snip>
Managers at five Dallas-area restaurants said they were told early today to furlough the staff and leave – for good. Most got the news via an 8 a.m. conference call, said one manager, who who declined to be named because employees were told not to talk to the media.

The move – which shuttered old and new locations – puts hundreds of Dallas-area workers on the unemployment line. “They’re out of a job just like me,” the manager said.

[tammywammy]

1. Wow, I didn't expect this

The one near work is always busy at lunch.

[Pale Blue Dot]

2. We're going to see more and more of this.

It will hit the weakest chains first, and then begin affecting the biggest.

[mdmc]

3. I try with all my heart to stay away from those corporate chains

I almost never eat out, but when I do, I try to eat at a local joint that is kind to the local democrats. There are plenty of local eateries that are owned and operated by democrats.

Isn't it odd that the manager didn't want to be named, because the company (that just fired him) told him he couldn't talk about it?

[Stinky The Clown]

8. Yeah, that jumped out at me to ...... what a Republican thing to do ......

..... he was the manager, so he felt a sense of ownership in his restaurant and by extension, with the top doggies. Traits like that die hard, I guess.

[rainbow4321]

11. Oh, it gets worse..see post #10. Text messged workers!! No paychecks to be issued!

Ooohhhh....does it get ANY colder than this??? Fucking bastards.

[davekriss]

12. I do the same

If dragged into a corporate eatery -- kicking and screaming, I might add -- I'm not much fun as I point out even every mild defect with the experience.

[Edweird]

4. Butters will be heartbroken.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Butters'_Very_Own_Episode - for the South Park impaired.

Seriously, that sucks. Our economy keeps getting worse. Eventually it has to improve, but man this sucks. I feel for those out of work.

[rainbow4321]

6. Perhaps the only good thing for the local workers is that

our area is flooded with restaurants of every sort..which is probably what played a part in the restuarant's poor performance. Too many to choose from in such close proximity (for those that can still afford to go out to eat). Hopefully, they can successfully apply at one of the other eateries.

[SoCalDem]

5. "...employees were told not to talk to the media. ..." WTF?

Um.. they are EX-employees..how dare the people who just dumped them, unceremoniously, tell them who they can talk to?

[Flying Dream Blues]

7. Yes, I know they'd hate to get fired again...nt

[Merlot]

9. Managers may have severance packages

Waitstaff probably has a stake in the tip jar, and want to make sure they get last paycheck and unemployment.

Corporation say's "don't talk" and these people who are now out of work want to make sure they get the rest of their money.

Sad but probably what's happening.

[rainbow4321]

10. "Employees say they found themselves jobless by mass text-message"

WTF????


http://www.wfaa.com/sharedcontent/dws/wfaa/localnews/news8/stories/wfaa080729_lj_restaurant.153fd28c.html

Employees say they found themselves jobless by mass text-message.

It reads: "All the Bennigans closed today."

Richard Lindsay, a manager, says he was told the bankruptcy means earned paychecks won't be issued either.

"I have a 3-year-old son I'm taking care of. And I have like an $1,800 check coming to me next week that I'm never going to see," he said.

"If you have a 401k, they spent that," said Pamela Vela.

[geomon666]

14. That is absolutely disgusting. n/t

[scarface2004]

13. wait till the federal government follows suit..

and sends all employees an email that the jig is up, we're broke, and suspending operations immediately!!