Is Ground Round Dead?

richlevy · 02-16-2004, 02:14 PM

On Saturday, after going to see Lord of the Rings (excellent), we decided to go to the Ground Round on Route 202. When we got there, there was a handwritten note on the door stating that the restaurant closed on 2/13.

This did not appear to be an orderly, planned closing. I just went to their national website and checked the news to see if this was a national event.

I am curious as to what happened. I didn't see any police tape, so it wasn't a robbery. There did not appear to be a fire. Was it a national event? I didn't see any news stories about it's parent company closing, although there was one about a single restaurant closing.

American Hospitality Concepts, the parent, company, does not appear to be listed, so this may explain why I do not see any SEC filings.

I called the one in West Chester and got no answer. Then I found this new story from Rochester.

Quote:

More people in our area are out of jobs.

This comes after The Ground Round announced Friday, it's closing its doors around the country. About 100 people from two local restaurants will feel the impact, the one on Buffalo Rd. in Gates and the restaurant inside the Marketplace Mall in Henrietta. Employees say the news comes as a shock, especially with Valentine's Day here. Dinner reservations had to be cancelled, and on Friday customers were told to leave, many in the middle of their meals. No word on why the company decided to end its business and no word what kind of severance packages will be offered to employees.

A 170 million dollar company with 5500 employees shuts down in the middle of the day and kicks out customers. I've never heard of a restaurant closing down in the middle of dinner. Since they do not appear to be listed, I guess they did not have to file Chapter 7.

Telefunken · 02-16-2004, 02:19 PM

They closed The Ground Round in Manchester, NH last weekend. Lots of memories lost.

wolf · 02-16-2004, 05:02 PM

I think they lost a lot of their essential charm when they stopped the peanuts and popcorn and removed the movie projectors, to become nothing more than a weak TGIRubyBennigans clone.

Telefunken · 02-16-2004, 05:22 PM

Most of the reason why I frequented the Ground Round was that the bartender had a very loose wrist. Shots were almost 3/4ths of an old-fashioned glass.

russotto · 02-16-2004, 06:55 PM

Apparently some of the franchised stores are still open.

BrianR · 02-17-2004, 09:54 PM

Count the GR at Laurel Mall in Hazelton closed.

02-16-2004, 05:02 PM	#3
wolf lobber of scimitars Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Phila Burbs Posts: 20,774	I think they lost a lot of their essential charm when they stopped the peanuts and popcorn and removed the movie projectors, to become nothing more than a weak TGIRubyBennigans clone. __________________ wolf eht htiw og "Conspiracies are the norm, not the exception." --G. Edward Griffin The Creature from Jekyll Island High Priestess of the Church of the Whale Penis

02-17-2004, 09:54 PM	#6
BrianR Cleverly disguised as a responsible adult Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Dallas, TX Posts: 3,338	Count the GR at Laurel Mall in Hazelton closed. __________________ Never be afraid to tell the world who you are. -- Anonymous

02-16-2004, 02:19 PM	#2
Telefunken Going for the DX Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Taxachusetts Posts: 82	They closed The Ground Round in Manchester, NH last weekend. Lots of memories lost.

02-16-2004, 05:22 PM	#4
Telefunken Going for the DX Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Taxachusetts Posts: 82	Most of the reason why I frequented the Ground Round was that the bartender had a very loose wrist. Shots were almost 3/4ths of an old-fashioned glass.

02-16-2004, 06:55 PM	#5
russotto Professor Join Date: Jan 2001 Posts: 1,788	Apparently some of the franchised stores are still open.

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