Cheesecake Factory/Restaurants

[Heartnsoul]

Now this may NOT be true? Who knows? But last night while dining out, our waitress told us that the cheesecake factory was coming in until they were told by the Morses that they would have to pay them 17,000 a month to run their business. Only passing on what she told us as I DO NOT have first hand knowledge.

I just wish they would put in more restaurants that are NOT chains. Seems that is all we have. Just returned from another state where they have so many wonderful restaurants which are NOT chain restaurants.

[Bogie Shooter]

Now this may NOT be true? Who knows? But last night while dining out, our waitress told us that the cheesecake factory was coming in until they were told by the Morses that they would have to pay them 17,000 a month to run their business. Only passing on what she told us as I DO NOT have first hand knowledge.

I just wish they would put in more restaurants that are NOT chains. Seems that is all we have. Just returned from another state where they have so many wonderful restaurants which are NOT chain restaurants.

Do you really believe 17000 (I assume this is dollars) per month? Waitress's are always a good source of good information.

Only passing on what she told us.............Why?

[graciegirl]

Now this may NOT be true? Who knows? But last night while dining out, our waitress told us that the cheesecake factory was coming in until they were told by the Morses that they would have to pay them 17,000 a month to run their business. Only passing on what she told us as I DO NOT have first hand knowledge.

I just wish they would put in more restaurants that are NOT chains. Seems that is all we have. Just returned from another state where they have so many wonderful restaurants which are NOT chain restaurants.


boyhowdy.

[Heartnsoul]

Do you really believe 17000 (I assume this is dollars) per month? Waitress's are always a good source of good information.

Only passing on what she told us.............Why?

passing on because maybe someone else heard something else or same thing? Like I said I have no first hand info but wouldn't it be nice to have a cheesecake factory??

[gocubsgo]

I, too heard that they were coming. I also know the Morses charge an insane amount of rent every month plus a % of sales. We were told by the asst manager that Red Sauce pays $18,000 a month plus 10% of sales. THAT'S alot of spaghetti sauce!!

[Heartnsoul]

ok so IF Red Sauce is paying 18,000 a month then it's possible they wanted 17,000 from cheesecake. that payment plus additional gov't expenses add up. I can see why businesses are having a difficult decision whether it would be worth it to open. Maybe that's why we see no new stores in Brownwood yet??

[Mack184]

Corporate business managers are always very quick to share essential business decisions with servers and janitors.

[Heartnsoul]

is this the FRIENDLY community board, the villages?? hmmm

[billethkid]

Corporate business managers are always very quick to share essential business decisions with servers and janitors.


B-I-N-GO......Be eye en geo!!!!!!!!

I always wonder why when rent amounts are in a rumor it is in total dollars as in $18,000 per month when leases are stated in dollars per square foot.

Also remember that all the business owners were fully aware and wide awake when they signed their lease with the total dollars spelled out. As I have said many, MANY times before it ain't the rent amount that causes some businesses a problem. It is the under estimating of those who signed the lease on what it takes to run the business and put money in the bank. The moaners, groaners and failures always yap that it was the rent.....then why did they sign up for it......rent = the problem = bull honkey!!!

btk

[Heartnsoul]

could be the rent plus new gov't taxes plus new GOVT REGULATIONS stopping businesses from growing and becoming properous.

[graciegirl]

I don't know how a server in a restaurant in TV could know what is essentially a corporate level decision in that company's headquarters located on the West coast..

The Cheesecake factory has at this time 165 locations across the country and even internationally.

The restaurants that want to open at Brownwood are restaurants who already are successful here in The Villages or in the area.

And it has been discussed ad infinitum in the last several days that charging a percentage of sales is a commonplace practice nationally for all kinds of retail in high traffic areas.

I don't know how anyone can prove or disprove the amount of rent for a restaurant so I take this kind of information as yet another rumor.

[Bogie Shooter]

is this the FRIENDLY community board, the villages?? hmmm

This board has nothing to do with the Villages..................except some villagers post here.

[simpkinp]

Well said Gracie. All malls and developer owned shopping districts set standards, such as operating days and hours and assess a percentage of profits. It is just business.

[Mack184]

As my mentor once said to me..you always have two choices.."To play or to pass". If someone is looking at opening a business in TV, Morse Industries is going to quote you a lease price. Either you're OK with it, or you're going to pass. Maybe the developer will negotiate, maybe he won't. But since it's HIS land/building/facility to lease then he sets the price. So far it doesn't look to me like he's having a lot of trouble getting people to sign up. If the time comes when he can't find people to lease to, then maybe he'll change his price.

But whatever he asks for whatever HE has to offer is his business and not ours.

[golf2140]

I heard that Macy's was coming to The Villages but the rental payment was to low, so they are going to Atlanta where it's more expensive.

[Bonny]

I'm sorry, I always chuckle to myself when I read things like this !!! Like a waitress in the Villages would have any knowledge about the decisions of a large corporation. :a20:

[LoriLind]

shocked:
Wow...let's not be so judgemental...how horrible are we "SNOBS" in the Villages? Is it really necessary to insult one because of their employment status? Kind of makes me a bit ashamed to say I live here when I read statements such as those written in this post...evidently you all are unaware that many well known restaurants offer management positions to "lowly servers," and they do in fact know what is going on and certain details...matter of fact they even have the openings listed in their computer systems long before the public knows...I feel sorry for those who have to think they are better than others because of the job they have, education, etc...after all...we are all human and put our pants on the same way...one leg at a time...please think before you post about those you may offend.

Thank you...

[tucson]

[QUOTE=Bonny;658466]I'm sorry, I always chuckle to myself when I read things like this !!! Like a waitress in the Villages would have any knowledge about the decisions of a large corporation. :a20:[/QU When I worked for a large corporation in a retail/service store in a mall, the entire staff always KNEW what the CEO and senior mgmnt of our very large company was paying for rent, how much per cent of the gross yrly they had to pay the mall, etc, etc,. This IS NOT unusual, knowledge of the companies ( whether good or bad) that you work for, always trickle down the chain of command to the employees that service the customers one on one. It is common knowledge about the very high rents and %'s the retail and restaurants are paying The Villages, so why is it so unusual that a waitress wouldn't know that also???

[Bonny]

If that sounded like I was being a snob, I'm sorry that it came out that way. I am definitely not a snob.

I didn't mean that remark to reflect the employment status as her being just a waitress. Just meaning that I can't imagine why a large corporation would share that information with someone that didn't have a connection to the company.

When you work in a mall situation you are in close proximity to the business owners and word would get around.

[graciegirl]

I certainly did not take it that Bonny was demeaning the very important job of server here in TV. She would NEVER do that.

(By the way, we have the BEST, most patient, and sometimes underappreciated servers in this country)

It isn't likely that the CEO knows what a server pays for rent either.

I believe that THAT was the point trying to be made.

We often hear things said by people associated with certain things such as contractors for the Villages and sometimes they are correct and sometimes they are just speculating, just like the rest of us.

There are SO many rumors in the Naked Villages.;)

[Roaddog53]

I just know that when north, I was in negotiations to buy an 11 store mall. It was at capacity at the time. I did much research on rent, sales, percent of gross sales, etc for that mall and others to compare, plus location, age of buildings, demographics... This was to understand obviously what to charge and develop income statements on plausibility. It was based on rent per square foot only. No percent of sales. Most of that info can be found for malls if you look it up.
iMHO, the charges mentioned and their added costs seem to be way out of line. Even for TV standards. They would be charging about $4 per sf + a sales percent, or 400+% more than other areas. Hmmmm
Oh..and large corporations DO NOT tell their employees unless you are at a certain level the details of pending transactions until they are fact. Those "managers" are actually given a fact sheet question/answer on what to say to dis-spell those rumors and are told to stick to these for consistency. Anyone can look at the corps income statements, but not the details of what they are going to do. It would be in MOST scenarios very bad for the business due to speculations.

[buggyone]

could be the rent plus new gov't taxes plus new GOVT REGULATIONS stopping businesses from growing and becoming properous. :ohdear:

Yes, that must be the situation. I saw it on a Tweet from a janitor who overheard a busboy tell his cousin that same thing. :1rotfl:

[AriaGrandparents2013]

Based on my March visit to TV, I can attest to the wait staff as being excellent........during my one week stay never once had a bad experience.

As to the validity of a wait staff's ability to predict whether or not a business will open in TV is another matter that would probably be left to others.

[senior citizen]

I, too heard that they were coming. I also know the Morses charge an insane amount of rent every month plus a % of sales. We were told by the asst manager that Red Sauce pays $18,000 a month plus 10% of sales. THAT'S alot of spaghetti sauce!!

Is the $18,000 rent? That's a heck of a lot. Or is it something else?
That, plus 10% of their sales .......tough. It would be hard to make a living out of it.........even with the large population in TV.

Ditto for the Cheesecake Factory "if" they had to pay $17,000 a month plus a percentage of their sales..........having been in business and knowing what it costs to keep doors open and customers happy plus make a good living....up here it would be impossible to survive. We just paid rent, insurance to our own provider, alarm system, etc.....payroll, and the profit was ours to keep.......after taxes, etc. and utilities, plus the "stuff" to handcraft and create the merchandise that was sold.

[Roaddog53]

Totally agree with you. We also owned state of the art lease hold facilities and charged just the lease per sf. The rest was up to the lessors to handle to run their business. They paid the insurance for their belongings, we had it on our facility. Upkeep was paid by us and included in the lease, such as snow, lawn, parking upgrades... Usually it is a 20 yr depreciation schedule for a building. Do the math, at 17k, seems bit high for a return. Hmmm

[billybye]

This is all very realistic - most mangers of franchise restaurants know of new openings and quite possibly the other facts, including rents and royalties asked when a location changes mind about opening.
The Villages considers the squares like mall locations, where percentages of sales are common to pay for privilege of having the mall bring them customers
It is their buildings and they have the right to do what they want. But if the squares do not stay fairly well full, it might reflect on new homes sales, and only then would they probably negotiate more or even sell their holding in retail space. It happens all the time in the "real world". Sometimes we in The Villages forget what it is like outside of here. Me included.

[skyc6]

could be the rent plus new gov't taxes plus new GOVT REGULATIONS stopping businesses from growing and becoming properous.

It seems to me ,judging by the crowds lined up to enter restaurants and the 3 deep people at the bar, that the businesses are growing and becoming prosperous.

As far as Brownwood, there are 5 restaurants already building there or operating there, so it seems to be developing just fine.

I am planning on looking at the beer glass as half full rather than half empty! I love the Villages and am glad to be here. :a040::a040:

[batman911]

I don't know how a server in a restaurant in TV could know what is essentially a corporate level decision in that company's headquarters located on the West coast..

The Cheesecake factory has at this time 165 locations across the country and even internationally.

The restaurants that want to open at Brownwood are restaurants who already are successful here in The Villages or in the area.

And it has been discussed ad infinitum in the last several days that charging a percentage of sales is a commonplace practice nationally for all kinds of retail in high traffic areas.

I don't know how anyone can prove or disprove the amount of rent for a restaurant so I take this kind of information as yet another rumor.

Cheesecake Factory has a location Waikiki. If they can make it there (the rent must be very steep) they can surely make it in TV.

[2BNTV]

A rumor that I hope is true. The Cheesecake Factory would be a nice addition to TV. HMMMMMMM.......Cheesecake.

I was at SS for Rocky and The Rollers and the line at the bar was very long for a long time. There was not a seat to be had.

If something is good, people will come and support it. IMHO

Like Yogi says, "nobody goes there anymore, it's too crowded".

[graciegirl]

A rumor that I hope is true. The Cheesecake Factory would be a nice addition to TV. HMMMMMMM.......Cheesecake.

I was at SS for Rocky and The Rollers and the line at the bar was very long for a long time. There was not a seat to be had.

If something is good, people will come and support it. IMHO

Like Yogi says, "nobody goes there anymore, it's too crowded".

Some wonderful person brought cheesecake from Publix, six kinds of it all assorted for dessert to our house, night before last

. I had a piece of the leftover raspberry tonight and Helene had a piece of the chocolate. Sweetie is watching his waistline. We all smiled thinking about the dear friend who brought it and can hardly wait until he finds just the right home for himself and will be here in this beautiful place enjoying every day..:a040:

[Bonny]

Cheesecake Factory has a location Waikiki. If they can make it there (the rent must be very steep) they can surely make it in TV.
It's a very busy one on Waikiki. We always go there when we are on Oahu. We'll be there in May !! :a040:

[2BNTV]

Next time, Italian cheesecake. hmmmm...................... :smiley:

[travelguy]

Cheesecake Factory will never come to The Villages. We would not be able to give them the volume of business that they require to be sucessful and profitable.

[TrudyM]

Cheesecake Factory has a location Waikiki. If they can make it there (the rent must be very steep) they can surely make it in TV.

Very different situation in Hawaii they are on Kalakaua ave in Waikiki not in The Ala Moana mall. They would have ground rent and then the cost of the rent on the building or purchase price, which is very high in that area but has some of the highest foot traffic in the US. (I use to manage a store up the street)

In a mall you can have a square ft price, a minimum plus a square ft price and usually a % of the gross. One can sometimes negotiate a higher rent with no % of the gross but other times not. I have managed 10 stores in as many malls and have also worked at the corporate level. It is not unusual for store (and I assume restaurant ) managers to know what their rent is as it affects their minimum required monthly goals. Not all managers know enough to keep their mouths shut and more than a few I know complain to their employees giving them way too much info.

Just my experience.

[GaryW]

I am not aware of what a business pays for rent and percentage of profits. But I do know a business wanted to open a store in Lake Sumter Landing oh about 8 months ago,, or in Brownwood. The owner told me they would not do it because it would be hard to survive paying a staff plus what was required by The Villages Property MGMT team. That is first hand from the owner.
I have talked to many people about why they close up shop and hear the same story as above. So I would think the price for the Cheesecake Deal sounds right, but not sure about the monthly cost.
Just my knowings.. That is all. :MOJE_whot:

[jblum315]

I hate Cheesecake Factory. Portions are large enough for a family of 4. I get so sick of eating it that I don't even want to take it home.

[golf4me]

I am not aware of what a business pays for rent and percentage of profits. But I do know a business wanted to open a store in Lake Sumter Landing oh about 8 months ago,, or in Brownwood. The owner told me they would not do it because it would be hard to survive paying a staff plus what was required by The Villages Property MGMT team. That is first hand from the owner.
I have talked to many people about why they close up shop and hear the same story as above. So I would think the price for the Cheesecake Deal sounds right, but not sure about the monthly cost.
Just my knowings.. That is all. :MOJE_whot:

In all respect to you Gary W., businesses will and should shop for affordable rent that their kind of business can support and turn a profit. Not all are high volume enough to pay high rent. That doesn't mean that rent is exorbitant, just too much for niche businesses. Your friend was doing his due diligence.

There are many rumors about the Morses business model here with not much information to support it. Gary Morse isn't anyone's mother and people do not have to locate here for their residence or their business it is a choice.

A business is set to fail if they cannot take in more than their expenses, if it is run poorly or if it just isn't the right fit or the product or service is sub par. People on fixed incomes like those who live in retirement areas are very careful with their money and very selective of where they spend it. Businesses fail everywhere for those reasons. It takes more than a great idea.

That is why chains are successful. They know where they should locate, they know the costs they can maintain and turn a profit but the little guy often lacks that experience.

[billethkid]

no matter what the reason for having to close up shop, the owners had all the information and COSTS, especially rent when the opted to sign the lease. So talking after the fact about why businesses don't make it and having to hire so many people and pay SO MUCH rent is bull honkey!!!!!

They simply did not have it figured right before they opened and under estimated (most likely) the revenues they would take in......and if they closed up it is not because of the expenses, especially the rent, because that was all KNOWN the day they signed the lease.

Lease costs and percentages to who ever are an every day part of life in the business world, especially in retail. No different than when one signs up for a franchise business....you get to pay all the operating expenses as well as 10-15% to the franchiser each month. And the franchiser expects their % of the months revenues whether the owner makes a profit or not.

Adequate revenues + knowing what one is doing are key. Around here it is fair game to ALWAYS blame the developer and the amount of rent being charged>>>>>>BS!!!!

btk

[Heartnsoul]

It seems to me ,judging by the crowds lined up to enter restaurants and the 3 deep people at the bar, that the businesses are growing and becoming prosperous.

As far as Brownwood, there are 5 restaurants already building there or operating there, so it seems to be developing just fine.

I am planning on looking at the beer glass as half full rather than half empty! I love the Villages and am glad to be here. :a040::a040:

OOH I didn't know there are Five restaurants at Brownwood?? What are they?? Last time I was there it was only city fire which already exists in Sumter?? Hope they are new different ones???

[Heartnsoul]

I hate Cheesecake Factory. Portions are large enough for a family of 4. I get so sick of eating it that I don't even want to take it home.

Wow Never met anyone who hated cheesecake factory. I order the large salads (of course the price is large along with it) therefore I take half home for next day and try to avoid the cheesecake but know that love cheesecake.

[Heartnsoul]

Cheesecake Factory will never come to The Villages. We would not be able to give them the volume of business that they require to be sucessful and profitable.

surprised to hear this statement. I think people would be lining up OUT the door for this restaurant. I know where I come from , it was ALWAYS crowded and lots of people do like great salads AND cheesecake

[billethkid]

I would venture to say a place unique like cheesecake factory would have a much larger draw area than just TV. And being on the Southern end of TV the draw would reach to the outskirts of Orlando and every community between here and there.

Perhaps a larger issue would be where do all the people resources come from......the same area referenced above could be a reasonable assumption.
Especially since the establishment would be 5 minutes away fro I-75 and the Turnpike. These are all advantages for any national brands of any business interested in setting up shop there.

btk

[sharonga]

its probably true. ih ate chain restaurants. prefab food

[Heartnsoul]

agree would definitely like to see some restaurants OTHER than chains. nice fresh healthy type cafe's wouldn't that be wonderful??