In a blow to diners with poor taste in food, Bennigan’s Grill & Tavern shuttered all of its corporate-owned locations overnight as it declared bankruptcy. Founded in Atlanta in 1976, Bennigan’s was the granddaddy of crap-themed restaurants popularized in the 1980’s.
Metromedia Restaurant Group, the parent company of Bennigan’s based in Plano, Texas, announced on Tuesday that it had filed for Chapter 7 bankruptcy protection. The move immediately shut 160 corporate-owned Bennigan’s restaurants (nearly 160 franchised restaurants remain open). The company also immediately closed 58 Stake And Ale locations. Both chains are expected to be liquidated for their assets.
Bennigan’s was one of a number of chains mocked in the 1999 movie Office Space
Bennigan’s moved into national prominence in the early 1980’s when it help pioneer the casual dining craze that would expand the waistlines of middle Americans over the next two decades. At first offering fresh, local products, the chain was forced by financial circumstances to move to a bulk-produced model of food distribution by the late 1980’s which increased the amount of salt and fat fed to its customers. This model - along with the chain’s kitschy approach to decor - would soon be followed by successor casual dining restaurants like Chilli’s and T.G.I. Fridays.
Although, as eight-year-old kid in the 1980’s, the chain’s fried Monte Cristo sandwich with powdered sugar and raspberry dipping sauce was to die for. But then again, anything deep fried tastes great to a kid.
There are no Bennigan’s locations in D.C. and the company hasn’t released a list of corporate-owned restaurants that have closed. Calls to the nearest location in Rockville went unreturned. Although nearly 160 franchise operations remain open, it is unclear how stable those operations will be without the support of a corporate partner.
Damnit. First Sambo’s, now Bennigan’s.
July 30, 2008 at 3:00 pmI think the one in Falls Church is closer–but then you’d have to go to Virginia, which I do not recommend (unless you’re going to Jammin’ Java, which I do).
I only went to a Bennigans once–and it was pretty much only because of Butters’s love for the chain on South Park. It was like any other “casual dining” restaurant. Nothing really stands out in my mind.
July 30, 2008 at 4:47 pmHa! That’s the only reason I tried Bennigan’s that one time myself. Perfect Butters restaurant.
July 30, 2008 at 4:50 pmIn alexandria there’s a Bennigans around Little River Turnpike and van Dorn. not too far up on seminary there’s a Steak and Ale. they are sad places to be on a weeknight, but on a friday or saturday, joe, hold on to your hats.
July 30, 2008 at 4:56 pmseriously, that monte cristo is unmatched.
all others pale in comparison.
who remembers Sizzler and Big Boy? oh yeah
Steak and Ale on Seminary is closed now
sign’s even gone
i used to grow up around there
Sounds like the Blues Busters need some blues-bustin’.
July 30, 2008 at 2:51 pm