Former Downtown Wendy's To Become Hardees

debaliviere · PostSep 06, 2006#512006-09-06T15:00+00:00

^

They had one in the St. Louis Centre food court as well. The food court was the one good thing about the mall - it consolidated several fast food joints in one location instead of having them take up street-level storefronts.

dweebe · PostSep 06, 2006#522006-09-06T15:43+00:00

mophipsi wrote:there are several fast food restaurants downtown...Lion's Choice, Jimmy John's, Subway, etc. the downside is that they are usually only open for lunch for now at least.

youa re right that the "major brands" are absent, but I work in Clayton and there is absolutely NO fast food here...in the last 5 years McDonalds, Taco Bell and Arby's have all gone away. Taco Bell was replaced a year or so ago with a Krispy Keme which has now closed. Downtown seems similar in that regard except I would kill for a Lions Choice within walking distance.

Most fast food restaurants us a "formula" to determine if a franchise would be successful in a certain area...it takes into account the number of people who live and work in a certain area. For now downtown isnt quite there, but it will be...

I remember a time when downtown had 2 McDonalds...one of the riverboat and one downtown and that was when nobody lived downtown.

Actually weren't there three in the late 80's? Riverfront, St. Louis Center food court and one street level on 6th or 7th?

Don't forget there's currently a McDonalds on Tucker just north of Cole. I guess you can call that the edge of downtown. Nice store inside that was recently remodeled: but a rough crowd. I've been hassled in the drivethru, seen a fistfight in the parking lot and a bum pass out on the floor.

You have to wonder what the whole McDonalds corporate chain has against St. Louis? No McDonalds in downtown Clayton and downtown St. Louis plus no Donatos Pizza or Chipotles in the entire metro area.

sniba snaba · PostSep 09, 2006#532006-09-09T22:42+00:00

Any idea how long this location will stay vacant? I hope they get something in there soon as DT needs more options, even if it's only for the lunch crowd. Having a fast food place in there period will help and as more people start moving DT, hopefully these businesses will consider expanding hours.

brickandmortar · PostSep 12, 2006#542006-09-12T14:33+00:00

I don't know if the downtown Wendy's is owned by these folks, but it sounds like they may reopen.

Area Wendy's might reopen

By William C. Lhotka

ST. LOUIS POST-DISPATCH

09/12/2006

Efforts were under way Monday to reopen two dozen Wendy's Old Fashion Hamburger restaurants in eastern Missouri and downstate Illinois that closed last week.

The closings of area Wendy's franchises operated by WenAmerica of Chesterfield has meant the layoff of as many as 1,000 employees of the fast-food chain, according to court filings.

Gary Vincent, an attorney for SPCP Group -- a creditor of WenAmerica -- said late Monday that he hoped the stores could be re-opened by the end of this week.

Link to Story

the central scrutinizer · PostSep 12, 2006#552006-09-12T14:41+00:00

Not surprising. There is no way Wendy's was not going to be in this market.

steve · PostSep 12, 2006#562006-09-12T14:48+00:00

The Central Scrutinizer wrote:Not surprising. There is no way Wendy's was not going to be in this market.

We do like us some greasy food in this town.

dweebe · PostSep 12, 2006#572006-09-12T15:26+00:00

steve wrote:
The Central Scrutinizer wrote:Not surprising. There is no way Wendy's was not going to be in this market.

We do like us some greasy food in this town.

As fat as we are you have to wonder why nobody can run fast food burger places in this city?

Look at all the places that have closed. A number of Burger Kings had to close because one of the franchise owners' accountants was skimming big money off.

All the Wendy's had to close because their owners were idiots.

Even though Hardees is based here they hardly own the market. You would have no idea this is their HQ.

BackYard Burger quickly came and went.

Go to Southern California and look at the number of burger joints you can find. On top of Wendy's, McDonalds, Burger King, Jack-in-the-Box and Carl's Jr there's a crudload of In-n-Out and Fatburger all over the place.

the central scrutinizer · PostSep 12, 2006#582006-09-12T16:06+00:00

dweebe wrote:BackYard Burger quickly came and went.

It must have been awfully quick - I never heard of the joint!

jeff707 · PostSep 12, 2006#592006-09-12T17:03+00:00

Hardee's = Carl's Jr.

Carl's Jr. = Hardee's

matguy70 · PostSep 12, 2006#602006-09-12T18:00+00:00

that is interesting...

Hardee's / Carl's JR Headquarters are downtown STL... but not a Hardee's in downtown STL... time to open one?

moorlander · PostSep 12, 2006#612006-09-12T19:17+00:00

The Central Scrutinizer wrote:
dweebe wrote:BackYard Burger quickly came and went.

It must have been awfully quick - I never heard of the joint!

they have them in texas...been to them a few times...they sell thicker burgers...more like you would grill at home or find at a bar and grill....but they are drivethru... I was never aware they were in town either...

http://www.backyardburgers.com/home.asp

stlmike · PostSep 12, 2006#622006-09-12T19:33+00:00

FATBURGER.

http://www.fatburger.com/Franchise/

Notice that missouri is listed as "Restaurants to open soon in selected cities" Here's hoping!

dweebe · PostSep 12, 2006#632006-09-12T20:42+00:00

stlmike wrote:FATBURGER.

http://www.fatburger.com/Franchise/

Notice that missouri is listed as "Restaurants to open soon in selected cities" Here's hoping!

Good news and thank for turning that info up; but Fatburger is okay IMHO. I like them better for their turkey burger as a healthy option. Easily the best fast food turkey burger around.

But an In-N-Out would be beyond kick-a**. The first thing I do when I land in Vegas or LA: head right to In-N-Out.

Trying to get this topic back on target: has anyone been past the downtown Wendy's and seen what's going on inside? Have they started gutting the place or does it look like they could restock and re-open under operation by Wendy's Corporate?

trent · PostSep 13, 2006#642006-09-13T00:40+00:00

The Wendy's on Kingshighway never closed. I almost hate to admit it, but I love Wendy's. Their Spicy Chicken is really good, and they seem to use fresher vegetables on their sandwiches.

jmedwick · PostSep 13, 2006#652006-09-13T01:15+00:00

^ Nothing wrong with loving Wendy's. When I am road triping or looking for a quick cheap bite, Wendy's is great with the dollar menu. Really nothing better than mixing and matching some chicken nuggets, a frosty, and a bugger or two. Much better than the meal deals and without the bland fries. When I want a burger, I don't want to waste space on bland fries.

But back to the topic, it is sad to see this close downtown, but if the daytime and 24 populations increase, I am sure downtown will add back many of the fast food places it has lost.

migueltejada · PostSep 13, 2006#662006-09-13T01:57+00:00

Everyone wants an In-n-Out, but they'll never leave the Southwest, they've said so in their company policy, because they want it to be special. If the burgers go everywhere, it's no longer special.

I'd prefer Whataburger to the typical fast food offerings (though I think they're of the same mindset as In-n-Out as staying in the SW).

However, I still think downtown needs a fast greek/mediterranean place. fast casual souvklakis/gyros would do BANK in downtown, if only because they're something new!

juiceinkirkwood · PostSep 13, 2006#672006-09-13T04:23+00:00

Backyard Burger is pretty good, they have one that I am aware of in southern Illinois, in Marion to be exact. I hit it on my lunch break, its about at Hardee's prices but has more of a restaurant feel than Hardee's does.

Wendy's is incredible; their chili is great at any time of the year, their fries are perfect, burgers are good, nuggets IMO are the best in the fast food market

jeff707 · PostSep 13, 2006#682006-09-13T14:31+00:00

WHATAJIM'S!!!!!!!!!!

stellar · PostSep 13, 2006#692006-09-13T14:44+00:00

migueltejada wrote:Everyone wants an In-n-Out, but they'll never leave the Southwest, they've said so in their company policy, because they want it to be special. If the burgers go everywhere, it's no longer special.

We're Southwest!! (of New York)

the central scrutinizer · PostSep 13, 2006#702006-09-13T15:10+00:00

I visited a friend in LA 2 years ago, and she insisted we had to go to In-n-Out for lunch. I don't see what all the excitement is about. It was good, but certainly no better than Steak-n-Shake. And the fries weren't as good.

jax · PostSep 13, 2006#712006-09-13T16:51+00:00

In n Out is way better than Steak n Shake. Their burgers are the best I've had from a fast food place. Their shakes aren't great (but neither are SnS's). The secret with the fries is to order them well-done. They have a bunch of things that aren't actually on their menu (3x3, 4x4, 20x20, burgers can be ordered "animal style," etc.). I love Fatburger and would love to see one or two in St. Louis. I see them as a step above fast food. They have great shakes as well. Their skinny fries are good (not as good as SnS's). They're my favorite quick burger joint.

LA may have great fast burgers (makes sense, considering the culture). But, I've had nothing there that compares to Blueberry Hill. That place is heavenly.

threeonefour · PostSep 13, 2006#722006-09-13T17:41+00:00

Jax wrote:But, I've had nothing there that compares to Blueberry Hill. That place is heavenly.

I absolutely agree. Hey, thanks a lot, because now I'm craving one of their burgers.

I wouldn't mind a second Blueberry Hill downtown, but I think I can do without one as well. That place is like Ted Drewes, in that probably shouldn't be a franchise because it's a destination in its own right. Its location in a vibrant neighborhood like The Loop is just an added bonus.

I agree with Tejada about the need for a Greek/Mediterranean eatery downtown as well!

stlmike · PostSep 13, 2006#732006-09-13T17:44+00:00

Now that we're on the subject of burgers, O'Connell's Pub is my second favorite burger in St Louis (next to Blueberry Hill).

debaliviere · PostSep 13, 2006#742006-09-13T17:53+00:00

Blueberry Hill's burgers are right there with Imo's pizza on the list of local foods whose popularity I've never understood.

moorlander · PostSep 13, 2006#752006-09-13T17:58+00:00

DeBaliviere wrote:Blueberry Hill's burgers are right there with Imo's pizza on the list of local foods whose popularity I've never understood.

everyone says the burgers at blueberry are amazing...but i've been there 3 or 4 times in the last 6 months and IMO the burgers are average at best... I tried in and out in vegas in july...i went there once and was very unimpressed so i went back and it was better...but nothing i would go out of my way for if it was in the lou.... Imos is the greatest... i think you have to be from the stl to appreciate it though..because most out of towners don't like it...IMO its great... the cheese is better and it's all toppings and little crust, so u get full off all the good stuff and non of the filler...beware of the clayton imos though..they NEVER put as much cheese on as the others

Former Downtown Wendy's To Become Hardees

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