Introduction
Once a popular family restaurant and bakery chain, Eat This Not That is quietly disappearing from the restaurant scene. Founded in the early 2000s, Eat This Not That was a favorite among families looking for a quick and affordable meal. With its signature menu of burgers, sandwiches, salads, and desserts, Eat This Not That was a go-to spot for many. However, in recent years, the chain has been slowly fading away, leaving many to wonder what happened to this once beloved restaurant. In this article, we will explore the history of Eat This Not That, the reasons for its decline, and what the future holds for this once-popular chain.
This Once-Popular Family Restaurant and Bakery Chain Is Quietly Disappearing — Eat This Not That
Once upon a time, there was a beloved family restaurant and bakery chain that was a staple in many communities across the United States. But now, it seems that this once-popular chain is quietly disappearing.
The chain in question is Eat This Not That, a restaurant and bakery chain that was founded in the late 1990s. The chain was known for its delicious food, friendly service, and affordable prices. But in recent years, the chain has been struggling to stay afloat.
The chain has been hit hard by the rise of fast-casual restaurants, which offer quick and convenient meals at a fraction of the cost. As a result, Eat This Not That has been forced to close many of its locations.
The chain has also been hurt by the rise of online ordering and delivery services, which have made it easier for customers to get their food without ever having to leave their homes. This has made it difficult for Eat This Not That to compete with other restaurants that offer delivery services.
Despite the challenges, Eat This Not That is still trying to stay afloat. The chain has recently launched a new website and is offering delivery services in some areas. But it remains to be seen if these efforts will be enough to keep the chain alive.
For now, it looks like Eat This Not That is slowly fading away. But for those who still remember the chain fondly, it’s a reminder of a simpler time when family restaurants and bakeries were a part of the fabric of many communities.
It’s no secret that family restaurants were hard hit by the pandemic. Friendly’s was edged into bankruptcy in late 2020 and Denny’s lost an incredible 60% of its customers in 2021. Even the Cheesecake Factory took a tumble, struggling to pay its rent.
But amidst all of the commotion in the past two years, you might have missed some important developments at one of America’s longest-running family chains: Marie Callender’s. The beloved, California-based restaurant and bakery chain seems to be disappearing, with fewer than thirty locations remaining open today.
For more fast-food news, check out 8 Worst Fast-Food Burgers to Stay Away From Right Now.
California publications have been taking note of Marie Callender’s pandemic-hastened decline, with the Los Angeles Times reporting the closure of a Sherman Oaks location in late 2021, and The Mercury News confirming a San Jose shuttering just a few weeks ago.
For other family restaurant chains, single-unit closures might not be a headline-worthy event. But for Marie Callender’s, it’s big news: when a chain has just a few dozen restaurants to its name, every unit counts.
According to Marie Callender’s online directory, there are only 28 restaurants remaining, spread across California and Utah. That’s down from 57 locations in 2017, and 138 in 2006. But even the current count is probably on the generous side, as the directory still lists the San Jose location as open.
Marie Callender’s sales have been flagging, too. The chain has been losing business steadily since at least 2015, when Restaurant Business reported a 3.6% decline in systemwide sales. That rate has been picking up over the years, steepening to 25.2% in 2019.
Loss of revenue that year might have been related to the chain’s split from sister company Perkins Restaurant & Bakery. The two brands originally merged in 2006, but separated for good in 2019, following two bankruptcies and a ruinous sale of the Marie Callender’s trademark to holding company Conagra in 2011.
After the separation from Perkins, Marie Callender’s had trouble finding a buyer: devalued by the loss of its trademark ownership, the chain was ultimately sold for a fraction of its value to a company called Marie Callender’s Inc, in 2019.
If you’re a fan of Marie Callender’s restaurants—and their fresh-baked pies—now might be the time to plan a trip to your nearest location. With store closures steadily increasing, and sales showing no signs of recovery, there’s no telling how much longer this beloved chain will be around.
Sign up for our newsletter!