On-Topic The politics of eating out & Chick-fil-A

[Sammie13]

The first Quiznos that I ever ate at was the month I spent in Pasadena, CA. It was very close to the hotel. I reallyl liked it. Several months later, the first one opened at home. There sandwiches are rich.

Yeah, we had a bunch of Quiznos pop up in town, but I think only 2 are left. There are just so many sandwich shoppes. Panerra Bread is good (based out of St Louis), and MacAlisters Deli is nice, too (based out of Oxford, Miss).

 

[Zingerific]

I ate lunch today at Starbucks. I guess that makes me... from the Pacific Northwest?

Quiznos has been hit or miss for me. The first one I went to was in Vancouver BC, which was delicious. Then one opened here and it was terrible. So I don't know.

As far as Cfa goes, I went to one in Atlanta in 1984. Being 7 at the time, I thought it was Manna from Heaven. Shortly thereafter, one opened in Portland. It was in the food court in a mall, and it was always the busiest place there. They closed up in the late '90s, and I've never been able to figure out why. They can't possibly have been losing money. It's somewhat of a mystery.

My favorite fast food was this vegetarian dim sum place on Mott street. I guess it doesn't really qualify as "fast food" in the usual sense, but it was fast.

 

[Sammie13]

I ate lunch today at Starbucks. I guess that makes me... from the Pacific Northwest?

Quiznos has been hit or miss for me. The first one I went to was in Vancouver BC, which was delicious. Then one opened here and it was terrible. So I don't know.

As far as Cfa goes, I went to one in Atlanta in 1984. Being 7 at the time, I thought it was Manna from Heaven. Shortly thereafter, one opened in Portland. It was in the food court in a mall, and it was always the busiest place there. They closed up in the late '90s, and I've never been able to figure out why. They can't possibly have been losing money. It's somewhat of a mystery.

My favorite fast food was this vegetarian dim sum place on Mott street. I guess it doesn't really qualify as "fast food" in the usual sense, but it was fast.

The malls are really where Cfa staked it's claim early on. They leased in tons of nice malls during that mall growth spurt in the '70's. I remember the largest mall in GA (at that time) only had 2 eateries..a full service McDonalds and CFA. Some years later, the food court concept became vogue in malls and Cfa was first to jump on that. We acually have a real Cfa dinosaur...a drive-thru only with 2 windows...I have never seen another like it from them. My guess is your mall in Portland probably jacked up the lease; Cfa runs a tight ship (I know someone in their real estate market...they don't play...and now malls are on the decline) . Did they ever open up a free-standing unit?

Yeah, Quiznos is hit and miss with their franchisees. Very erratic...never know what your experience will be like. One of our remaining ones is in a busy shopping center and it has a different owner from the other Q's, and he charges about 20% more for the exact same menu items as the other Q's.

Panerra is the business communities little secret here. Lots of customers in suits and ties. Socialites, etc. It def has a GOP vibe. On our 'restaurant row' which is where a bunch of FF businesses are...Cfa and Panerra seem to fight for the same higher end clientele. And then we have the Steak and Shake which just wishes anybody would walk through those doors

 

[chance1]

It all depends on the location. Some Paneras over here are in very liberal locations... and generally get the more affluent liberal crowd. At least that's what I noticed. There is one in revitalized North Hollywood that seems to be popular. And CFA here tends to be in less affluent neighborhoods... I guess it all depends on the state and location.

Panera is liberal ? it gets a liberal crowd? what does that mean?

people walk in and they order what's on the left side of the menu?

Panera in NYC is a good value - soups, sandwiches, desserts - everything fresh - good help - clean seating - it's popular with everyone - it's affordable

it's a middle of the road place - not high/not low end

 

[Jack Springer]

It all depends on the location. Some Paneras over here are in very liberal locations... and generally get the more affluent liberal crowd. At least that's what I noticed. There is one in revitalized North Hollywood that seems to be popular. And CFA here tends to be in less affluent neighborhoods... I guess it all depends on the state and location.

My guess is that Panera puts their stores in locations where they think they can make money and don't give a rat's ass about the political leanings of what their potential customers will be.

They are in it to make a profit. So that they can build more stores in places where they can make more profit.

It's an idea that Obama doesn't understand.

 

[maxpowr9]

My guess is that Panera puts their stores in locations where they think they can make money and don't give a rat's ass about the political leanings of what their potential customers will be.

They are in it to make a profit. So that they can build more stores in places where they can make more profit.

It's an idea that Obama doesn't understand.

Having had a friend work at corporate at Starbucks, I know for a fact that Starbucks bases their locations on the fact the median household income in a town is greater than $60k. I don't think that is an absolute prerequisite but it is one of their guidelines.

 

[Sammie13]

Panera is liberal ? it gets a liberal crowd? what does that mean?

people walk in and they order what's on the left side of the menu?

Panera in NYC is a good value - soups, sandwiches, desserts - everything fresh - good help - clean seating - it's popular with everyone - it's affordable

it's a middle of the road place - not high/not low end

Well, since I am now a Log Cabin Republican, I can order those tasty-looking Mango Smoothies on the right side of the menu board. Thank you Chance for clarifying.

 

[FuryOfFirestorm]

 

[Jack Springer]

Having had a friend work at corporate at Starbucks, I know for a fact that Starbucks bases their locations on the fact the median household income in a town is greater than $60k. I don't think that is an absolute prerequisite but it is one of their guidelines.

They are in the business to make money.

 

[JayQueer]

.....(deleted)

 

[JayQueer]

And CFA here tends to be in less affluent neighborhoods... I guess it all depends on the state and location.

Not true. Chick-fil-A's in California are usually in middle-class to upper-middle class suburban neighborhoods.

The few exceptions, being the CFA in Hollywood & the one by Univ. of Southern California.

 

[FuryOfFirestorm]

Not true. Chick-fil-A's in California are in middle-class to upper-middle class suburban neighborhoods.

The only exception, being the CFA in Hollywood.

There's a CFA just 2 blocks from me, and the neighborhood is lower-class to lower-middle class.

 

[JayQueer]

There's a CFA just 2 blocks from me, and the neighborhood is lower-class to lower-middle class.

I said California. I wasn't talking about CFA's in other states.

 

[JayQueer]

Georgia is not a state I'll ever visit again, and Atlanta is a HORRIBLE city.

Didn't you just say a couple weeks ago that Atlanta is a great city? You talked about how great that ATL is run by Democrats and you praised Kasim Reed, or whoever the mayor is. You said that he's a great guy and how he now supports gay marriage because he decided to also change his mind after President Obama did.

Please stop contradicting yourself.

 

[JayQueer]

Atlanta is called "The City To Busy to Hate...." So, yeah...it wouldn't be a good fit for you.

It would be a good fit for me!! I love Midwestern & Southern bois. Their Southern country drawl, makes my heart melt....

Sammie = awesome

 

[Sammie13]

It would be a good fit for me!! I love Midwestern & Southern bois. Their Southern country drawl, makes my heart melt....

Sammie = awesome

Thank you sweetie. Ain't it the truth...southern bois are the best & most well mannered. I think we're peachy, but I'm biased

As for that other poster, he's just spewing hatred (by the way, he's the only one allowed to do that) because he fears southern companies will move into the Golden State and drive their economic engine right over the cliff. Oh, and he thinks our companies are bigots (again, only he can hate).

 

[maxpowr9]

^ The microcosm that is LA can do a number over on people.

 

[Sammie13]

There is a CFA in Reseda/Northridge. And that's about as working class as you get. It's near the Northridge Fashion Center (horrible mall).

You say that like it's a bad thing...being in a working class neighborhood. That's supposed to be who Democrats stand up and fight for. No wonder Repubs call Dems "elitist". That mentaility is why more and more working class people are moving to the GOP. There money is good, too, and, hey, they gotta eat.

 

[Sammie13]

Re: The politics of eating out & Chick-fil-A

Where am I spewing hatred? I want you to show me where. And drive our economic engine right over the cliff? I hope some Trader Joes open in your area, Sammie. The Pasadena based chain would take over your state, which is in the economic doldrums. 365 stores in 30 states... that's a real company with strong plans.

You are just hilarious, GC. The easier question is where are you NOT spewing hate and venom. Free your mind...open it to other ideas...oh, never mind!

We have 6 Trader Joe's in the state; I would love to have more....I'm for more jobs and more competition. I'm NOT anti-business. I hear TJ's is great! We have 11 Fresh Markets; they do go head to head. As you've witnessed with your local F&E chain, fast growth is not always good -- you accumulate debt. It's often better to go slow and have lots of rainy day cash on hand.

I wish more people hated Atlanta like you do. Only Florida (not really a 'southern' state) has a larger population in Dixie and more electoral votes. I've seen this state double in a really short span. We must be doing something right.

 

[chance1]

Re: The politics of eating out & Chick-fil-A

You have any other lies to post about me? It seems you hate me more then anything else. Probably can't stand I'm a left wing gay Latino and Latinos and other immigrants are taking over this country.

that's so bad - even for u

sammie's given u NO reason to pull that lame race card shit

we're talking about food for god's sakes

and btw u never answered why 3 cities in CA have filed for bankruptcy in the past 2 1/2 mos. if CA is so prosperous