FAST FOOD MERGER NOT GOOD!
Triarc Companies, Inc.  the franchisor of the Arby's restaurant system (“Arby’s”), and Wendy’s International, Inc. (NYSE: WEN, “Wendy’s”) announced today they have signed a definitive merger agreement, which has been approved by the boards of directors of both companies, for an all-stock transaction in which Wendy’s shareholders will receive a fixed ratio of 4.25 shares of Triarc Class A Common Stock for each share of Wendy’s common stock they own.   Arby's was recently mandated by their parent company to cut corners to produce higher profits.  Coca-Cola products have been replaced by cheaper selling Pepsi Products, the preferred ketchup Heinz has been replaced with a generic label and the Arby Q Sauce has been replaced with a generic branded sauce.  Presently Wendy's provides all of the premium brands in this area of the country but could be affected by the merger.

Under terms of the merger, the companies will operate as separate entities and still maintain their perspective headquarters in Atlanta, GA and Dublin, Ohio.  The new Combination Will Create Third Largest U.S. Quick Service Restaurant Company With Approximately $12.5 Billion In Annual System Sales
 

GREEN HILLS GRILLE CLOSES
Specialty Restaurant Development closed both the Knoxville and Nashville locations of Green Hills Grille due to corporate bankruptcy of the parent company.  The restaurants closed shortly before noon on June 18, 2008.  All food products inside the restaurant were donated to charity leaving little hope for the restaurant to reopen.

 QUALITY CUTS AT COPPER CELLAR CORP.
A recent visit to the Cumberland Grill on the Strip was met with some suprising compromises.  As I looked to see the red stuff that was to top my fries, I realized it was not the Heinz it was the nasty other brand.  I asked the waitress about the compromise and she said, " oh we are making cuts where we can."  Cutting the Heinz is not a compromise!  Our friendly waitress went on to include several other cuts made by the company.  Needless to say cuts without discounts to the customer is a deadly combination.    We recommend avoiding restaurants that compromise quality and Cumberland Grill aka Copper Cellar aka Calhoun's is a good place to avoid.  Over the past few years we have noticed a number of quality cuts at Calhoun's.  The glasses went plastic, the plates went plastic, the salads shrunk, the portions shrunk.  The prices went up.  Where does the customer win in this situation.  Seek better restaurants.....avoid Calhoun's.
 
 


DEL TACO HAS PLANS FOR KNOXVILLE
    No. 2 Mexican quick-serve Del Taco announced today its plans to open seven new restaurants in Tennessee. Restaurant entrepreneurs Gerald and Carol Fulbright, along with their son Thomas, have signed a deal to open four restaurants in Chattanooga while a group of quick-service operators will open three locations over the next four years in the eastern part of Knoxville. 
    Knoxville franchisee Constance Durant says Del Taco is appealing as a business because it has the highest sales volume of any Mexican quick-service restaurant. Its average unit volume of nearly $1.2 million is significantly higher than Taco Bell's. 
    "We found Del Taco to be better and different from anything else out there," Fulbright says. "Likewise, we think lovers of fast-food, especially of the Mexican variety, will find that Del Taco is better and different from anything else that's available." 
For more than 40 years, the chain has offered menu items that appeal to a broad range of tastes. Offerings include tacos, burritos, quesadillas and nachos as well as American favorites like hamburgers, fries and milk shakes. Each item is made to order with quality ingredients including lard-free beans made from scratch daily, real cheddar cheese grated on site, chicken grilled fresh every hour, hand-made salsa and fresh produce. 


 
 
Closings:

Green Hills Grille - Western Plaza
LaParigo - Bearden 

Announcements & New Openings:

Brixx Wood Fired Pizza - (Planning Stages)
Del Taco - (Planning Stages)
Gondolier Restaurant - Southgrove Shopping Ctr - Chapman Hwy.
Gondolier Restaurant -  Oak Ridge
Gridiron Burgers - Downtown (Fall '08)
Gunthar's Galley - Knoxville Center Mall  (August '08)
Nama -  Homberg/Bearden  ( NOW OPEN)
Qdoba - Town & Country Center
Red Robin - (Planning Stages)
Roaming Gnome Pub & Eatery - U.T. Strip
Taco Del Mar - Campbell Station Road (Opening Soon)
 
 

LATEST SITE UPDATES


07/06/2007 Updated Restaurant News
Updated Gridiron Burgers
07/14/2007 Updated Restaurant News
Added Table Fifteen Menu
07/28/2007 Added Wild Wing Cafe Menu
Updated Restaurant List
08/16/2007 Updated Restaurant News
08/17/2007 Updated Restaurant News
08/27/2007 Updated Applebee's Menu
08/31/2007 Updated Restaurant List
Updated Restaurant News
09/04/2007 Added Litton's Menu
09/29/2007 Updated Restaurant Listing
Updated Restaurant News
10/04/2007 Added Ruth's Chris Menu
Updated Restaurant News
10/24/2007 Updated Restaurant News
11/01/2007 Updated TGI Friday's Menu
Updated Restaurant News
11/03/2007 Updated Texas Roadhouse Menu
11/09/2007 Added Amerigo Italian Restaurant Menu
11/12/2007 Added Dan McGrew's Menu
11/24/2007 Added Wok-Hay's New Menu
01/09/2008 Updated Restaurant News
01/12/2008 Updated Restaurant News
01/14/2008 Added Trio Cafe Menu
01/30/2008 Updated Restaurant News
02/02/2008 Updated Marble Slab Creamery
Updated Atlanta Bread Company
02/07/2008 Updated Big Ed's Pizza
02/15/2008 Updated Restaurant News
02/19/2008 Updated Restaurant News
03/01/2008 Updated Restaurant News
04/02/2008 Updated Restaurant News
04/19/2008 Added Crown & Goose Menu
Updated Restaurant Listing
04/26/2008 Updated Mr. Gatti's Menu
05/09/2008 Updated Restaurant News
05/14/2008 Updated Aubrey's
Updated Qdoba
Updated Beef O'Brady's
05/23/2008 Updated Litton's
06/07/2008 Added review of Senor Taco
07/22/2008 Updated Restaurant News

 
 
 
 
 
 

RETURN TO INDEX