[Shipping up to Boston]

Originally Posted by ThirdOfFive

I have eaten at every FMK restaurant in TV, and have not been disappointed except for an instance at The Chop House where the food and service, though good, did not match the price point. But that is a subjective assessment that may or may not be shared by others. What is not, at least in my opinion, is that FMK-run restaurants overall are a cut or two above most other restaurants in TV. The point is that it is a free market, and other restaurants can either match the quality of the FMK-run places or suffer thereby.

I don't think that "buying in bulk" is necessarily the reason for their success. Some places that have gone under, or are hurting, are/were part of chains much larger than FMK with the same ability to buy in bulk, if not more so, than FMK restaurants. Red Lobster, for example. Sonny's Barbecue for another: part of a chain of restaurants that at one time numbered over 100.

Bottom line: if your food and/or service is not up to quality, then the presence of FMK means that you are going to lose customers. That's not a bad thing. That's called competition; the essence of a free market. And Villagers benefit thereby.

It is what it is
The bubble offerings are serviceable.
If you want a better product...be prepared to take the Caddy and not the cart!