Darden to sell long-struggling Smokey Bones chain

Sorry to see it. A good concept and the food was good, but I think it is hard to compete in a BBQ market without doing BBQ well. The decor was great but I think they expanded into the wrong areas.

Shocked

Its a dang shame. The company didnt tell the employees of the closing stores untill this morning. This same morning that they closed! Now what are they supposed to do? They could have given them at the very least a week!

too bad, I like Smokey Bones. At least the Orlando area location will stay open (for now, anyway).

i am sure if they took johnny's advice the service would have been exceptional on that final week. lol

What do Smokey Bones and China Coast have in common?

My kids love Smokey Bones. I hope they find a way to keep them open. Best onion rings ever. I like Bahama Breeze, but its never worth a two-hour wait.

The problem is that there are too many competative BBQ restaraunts out there because BBQ is so easy to make. People aren't going to drive out of their way to get to a Smokey Bones like they do Bahama Breeze.

The units located on E. Colonial drive do well. Unfortunately, Darden ignores units that do well, just like the case with China Garden which did exceptionally well on E. Colonial and they decide to just close every like location - Bam ! I think that is a terribly short-sighted way of doing business. Close units in locations that aren't making profits and leave the Hell alone those that are doing well and showing profit. As far as Bahama Breeze, I hate going there because it always has blaring music, even outside waiting to get in. It always seems to be a place where young kids come to see and be seen and frankly the food never was worth standing around outside on one foot and then the other listening to the cacophony of that crowd and the blaring music system. Why do these restaurants just assume everyone wants to endure hearing loss while they are trying to hold a quiet conversation over their food -- which is impossible in a Bahama Breeze anytime you go there.

I have always enjoyed my visits to Smokey Bones and am sorry to see them closing, but that's life in the big city. Personally I never cared for Bahama Breeze and wouldn't patronize one if it were across the street! The music sucks and is too loud and conversation at a table with guest isn't possible!!

Johnny wrote:

Its a dang shame. The company didnt tell the employees of the closing stores untill this morning. This same morning that they closed! Now what are they supposed to do? They could have given them at the very least a week!

WE, as employees, are expected to give 2-week notices when we leave, but they do this to honest working folks? That's rude. We had one here in Schaumburg, IL, and it was never busy. The food wasn't that good, and very overpriced. I am sure that is one of the closing locations. Most restuarants pull this crap.
I used to be a manager and I only found out the store was closing when I came in for a shift and saw the sign inside the restaurant. They gave us 5 days notice. Lucky for me, I wanted to quit anyway, because I had another job I was already working, making better money. They just pulled the same crap on my niece, at her restaurant. She was just married too. Nice way to start a marriage off. Exactly why I am now out of the industry.

Crying shame... I like Smokey Bones. The China Coast up in Altamonte and the one that was out by the airport always were packed... all the ones in the Orlando area seemed to do well.

Anonymous wrote:

Crying shame... I like Smokey Bones. The China Coast up in Altamonte and the one that was out by the airport always were packed... all the ones in the Orlando area seemed to do well.

They did great. Darden, unfortunately seems to be on some sort of "bar code" mentality. Problem is "bar code" mentality means shrinking choices, and usually a final collapse because people love variety,, trying new things, and places that insist on a certain volume being necessary to keep them are always cutting, cutting, till they just cut themselves out of existance.

They gave us sepaeraion checks but cannot work at other Darden sites if we cash them-at least for 60 days, which of course means that benefits will not coninue. Nobody mentioned a unemployment process or claim

NUMERO UNO MAGIC FAN wrote:

<quoted text>
WE, as employees, are expected to give 2-week notices

No, you're not. Florida is a "right to work" state, meaning you can leave whenever you please, just as they can fire you at a moment's notice. They're not allowed to mention it on a reference.

Sorry, didn't notice you're not a Florida resident.

As someone inside, I can tell you that Smokey Bones in florida are extremely profitable. It just does not have the growth opportunities that Darden promised its share holders five years ago. Locations outside of florida was the problem.They are selling this brand with hopes of purchasing a very large established chain. But make no mistake, Darden is still the largest family casual dining chain in the WORLD. Despite what you here about red lobster being down, Darden has continued to break financial records year after year. Five years from now they will still be #1. The real shame here is the 3000 employees who are looking for work today.

Maybe if they keep their prices down, they still be open.

You are talking about a public company people. They cannot legally give the employees notice they are closing the restaurants before they tell everyone else.(Insider trading issues etc.)

As far as China Coast goes the kitchens were too small to service the customers quickly enough to get the turnover they needed to be profitable. Supposedly the designer didn't take into account that cooking on woks takes more space then normal.(At least that is what I heard...)

scottsmokebones wrote:

They gave us sepaeraion checks but cannot work at other Darden sites if we cash them-at least for 60 days, which of course means that benefits will not coninue. Nobody mentioned a unemployment process or claim

i wook for one in ct are we next