[ThirdOfFive]

Originally Posted by coconutmama

Not a fan of monopolies which FMK is pretty close to having. They are better than average but too much of their fare is repetitive, with a tweak here & there. Totally understand why. Less expensive for them to buy in bulk. However not really helpful or interesting for the consumer.

We are looking forward to other owned restaurants opening up, such as Harry & The Natives.

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.

[Michael 61]

Service has always been good to very good at FMK establishments. The presence of FMK hopefully causes other establishments to “up their game” in the area of service.

[Rich42]

I love FMK but their making other restaurants “up their game” has in most cases only resulted in their upping their prices with no improvement in service or food quality! So more inflation.

[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!

[Stu from NYC]

Originally Posted by Aces4

Why? Is your grandson coming to visit?

Oldest grandson too young to have discovered females yet.