Military strategists often describe a retreat as the most difficult of all tactics to execute successfully, and the same can be true in the business world as well. This fall, however, a number of well-known restaurant brands are in retreat, either voluntarily or out of necessity.

Last month, Spartansburg, South Carolina-based Denny’s announced it plans to close 150 stores, about 10% of the chain’s U.S. presence, as part of a growth strategy it calls Diner 2.0.

Presumably, the poor performance of the locations slated to close will, as a company spokesperson put it, “undermine the vitality of the entire system.”

In addition to the upcoming store facelifts, Diner 2.0 could potentially eliminate the system requirement for Denny’s Restaurants to be open 24/7.

The Wendy’s Company has also announced a new wave of store closures – about 140 locations by the end of the year – which comes on top of the May 2024 announcement of 100 store closures. These “outdated” and “underperforming” restaurants, company officials say, will be replaced – but not in the same location – with an equal number of new Wendy’s stores that are more conveniently located.

Wendy’s has had a tough year, with U.S. same-restaurant sales growing just a paltry 0.5%.

Some of the restaurant industry’s downsizing has been involuntary: TGI Fridays, one of the original casual dining concepts, filed for bankruptcy last week.

The brand closed 50 locations before the filing, leaving approximately 160 TGI Fridays still operating for now.

So what’s going on with all these retreats in the restaurant industry? The factors that play a role are numerous. Restaurant concepts, like any other product, have a life cycle in which they grow and flourish, eventually mature and then fade away.

The restaurant industry itself is currently facing economic challenges in the form of higher costs and stable customer numbers.

And finally, the off-premises food market, at least in many areas, may be saturated, with too many eateries chasing too few customer dollars.

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Side dishes:

On Wednesday, November 20, the West of the River Chamber of Commerce will sponsor its 15th annual Food Fest West.

Food Fest West is held at Crestview Country Club in Agawam and gives attendees the opportunity to sample some of the area’s tastiest restaurant specialties. A raffle and memorabilia auction will also take place during the event.

Food Fest West starts at 5:30 PM. Tickets, which cost $50 in advance and $60 at the door, can be purchased on the Chamber’s website. Their phone number is 413-426-3880.

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The Pottery Cellar in Westfield is hosting an authentic Polish dinner evening on Saturday, November 23. Dinner — which includes golabki, pierogi, kapusta, kielbasa, fasolka szparagowa, rye bread and dessert — costs $28.95 plus tip and tax. Drinks will also be available, including beer and wine.

The Polish Dinner Night has two seatings, one at 5:00 PM and a second at 7:00 PM. Advance reservations are required and can be made by calling 413-642-5524.

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Uno Pizzeria & Grill in Sturbridge will team up with Greater Good Imperial Brewing Company from Worcester to present a Beer Pairing Dinner.

The event is scheduled for Tuesday, November 19, starting at 6:30 p.m. A five-course meal is prepared, including cranberry-brie puff pastry bites, crispy Brussels sprouts and pumpkin kebabs, a green bean flatbread, turkey meatballs and pumpkin cannoli.

The evening also includes live music, games and a raffle.

For more information, contact Uno Pizzeria & Grill at 508-347-6420.

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The starting gate at Greathorse in Hampden has announced the date of the upcoming Breakfast with Santa.

The event will be held on Saturday, December 7 from 11:30 am and will include a breakfast buffet with options such as pancakes, waffles, breakfast meats and scrambled eggs, as well as fresh fruit and assorted pastries. A separate hot chocolate station includes a variety of mix-ins and toppings.

In addition to visits with Mr. and Mrs. Claus, there will be Christmas cookie decorating, dancing to music provided by DJs and a writing session for the ‘letter to Santa Claus’.

The price of the event is $55 plus a service fee; children three years and under are free. Tickets can be purchased at Eventbrite.com.

The starting gate at Greathorse answers 413-566-5158.

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Although the chain’s new CEO, Brian Niccol, Starbucks has committed to simplifying store operations, that doesn’t mean the brand will forego the introduction of traditional holiday drinks this month.

While the Seattle-based coffee shop giant has yet to make a formal announcement, knowledgeable sources report that drink favorites like the Chestnut Praline Latte, Peppermint Mocha, Peppermint White Chocolate Mocha, and Caramel Brulee Latte are about to return, along with a new Cran. -Merry Orange refresher course.

Three new holiday foams – Sugar Cookie Cream, Chestnut Praline Cream and Gingerbread Cream – will be available to garnish Starbucks coffee drinks.

Four seasonal food items will be part of the holiday offering: a Snowman Cake Pop and a Penguin Cookie will make their debut, along with a Dark Toffee Bundt cake and a savory Turkey Sage Danish.

The holiday offering is planned at the Starbucks location around Veterans Day.

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A Fall Food Truck Festival will be hosted by Vanished Valley Brewing Company in Ludlow on Saturday, November 16 from noon to 5 p.m.

There will be more than 15 food trucks present; live music will also be part of the offering. Vanished Valley will be lighting their fire pits, weather permitting, and there will be s’mores for sale.

For more information, contact Vanished Valley at 413-610-1572.

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The Irish House Restaurant at the Irish Cultural Center in West Springfield has announced its “Christmas Music with the Tavern Carolers” program. There are seven dates available in December, two of which, December 22 and 23, include a visit from Santa Claus.

A three-course menu is included with each performance; Tickets are $65 and include a meal gratuity. More details and a ticket purchase link are available on the Irish Cultural Center website.

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Cracker Barrel Old Country Store has announced its menu of holiday specials.

These include two returning savory favorites, Country Fried Turkey and Broccoli Cheese Casserole, as well as a Cinnamon Swirl French Toast Breakfast. Cracker Barrel also offers a DIY Hot Chocolate Bar and several “Sugar Plum” drinks.

All of these items should be available during the Christmas holidays.

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This month’s special sundae offering at Friendly’s Restaurants is “Tom the Turkey.”

Tom is made with a scoop of Hunka Chunka PB Fudge ice cream. The ice cream is decorated with candy eyes, a candy corn beak and a peanut butter cup tail.

The ice cream treat is available at participating Friendly’s locations through the end of November.

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Soulao’d Kitchen on Page Boulevard in East Springfield will celebrate its fifth anniversary on Friday, November 15 from 2 to 5 p.m.

To mark the occasion, the restaurant is offering free food samples, giveaways and face painting for the kids.

Call Soulao’d Kitchen at 413-316-3202 for more information.

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Is McDonald’s bringing back its McRib sandwich?

The McRib, a cult-favorite boneless seasoned pork patty that’s drizzled with a tart barbecue glaze, topped with chopped onions and dill pickles, and served on a toasted bun, was last available in the U.S. in November 2022, when it embarked on a “farewell tour .”

However, the sandwich has been reintroduced this fall at McDonald’s locations in the United Kingdom, where it is being promoted as a limited-time available product.

McDonald’s U.S. executives had previously hinted that the McRib may return to domestic locations “later this year,” and several food publications have revealed that the company is likely to return the McRib to the “greater Ozarks area” by the end of this month. .

However, there’s no word on plans for a coast-to-coast revival of the McRib sandwich.

Hugh Robert is a faculty member of Holyoke Community College’s hospitality and culinary arts program and has nearly 50 years of experience in restaurants and education. Robert can be reached online at [email protected].