I had no idea this place was closed or closing. Looks like Chick-Fil-a is eyeing the site. I wonder why M G is leaving the site. It was always crowded when I was there. This place is one of the better chains in the area.
DogtownBnR wrote:I had no idea this place was closed or closing. Looks like Chick-Fil-a is eyeing the site. I wonder why M G is leaving the site. It was always crowded when I was there. This place is one of the better chains in the area.
Chick-fil-A will be leasing the property from Macaroni Grill. A new Chick-fil-A will be built at the location. Kelly said the deal has already been done between Chik-fil-A and Macaroni Grill.
Kelly said an average Chick-fil-A brings in about $3 million a year, which is 25 percent more than Macaroni Grill. He said that’s amazing for a fast food restaurant, when the average ticket is about $7.
Macaroni Grill is currently open. When called, an employee hadn’t heard when it might close. The Creve Coeur location closed in October 2013.
This is going to make Eager Road traffic even worse.
Obviously, Macaroni Grill is an underperforming chain nationally, for it's parent company, but I wonder why they chose to close all STL locations? I can understand the SOCO and Brentwood locations. People in those areas can easily go to the Hill, around the hill (Trat Marcella, LoRusso's) or even Maggiano's and other competition. However, I can't imagine the competition to be that steep in St. Peter's or Chesterfield. There are a lot of people in those areas. I wonder why the parent company chose to close all of the STL locations. I would assume, they weren't profitable enough or they need more than 2 chains to meet their goals in a market. Who knows. I have read that the chain is closing multiple locations nationally, but I have not heard of them pulling out of markets all together. Anyone care to speculate on the reasons they pulled out completely???
^I think we have a great home-grown (non-chain) restaurant scene here. We do not really need chains as much, especially east of 270. What baffles me, is how a chain like MG wouldn't do great in St. Charles County, where chains and strip-malls reign supreme. Obviously, there are a lot of options out there, but I can't imagine the competition for Italian is that tough.
Regarding KC, I can't imagine their culinary scene is nearly as lively, as here. Their big claim to fame regarding Italian restaurants is Garozzo's, a St. Louis born & raised family, that decided to avoid the steep competition in STL and moved to KC, to bring the Hill to KC. Funny how some in KC will brag about how good their Italian food is, then reference Garrozo's. Little do they know...... As easy as clicking on the history/experience link on their site.
It should be noted that Macaroni Grills are closing everywhere. From Penn to NJ to Missouri. Their profits dropped somewhere around 11 million last year.
It is interesting though also to note that Chick-fil-a is buying all their properties literally and tearing down to build on. Two different companies - but there must be a "buy out" terms for Macaroni. Chick-fil-a will open stores in SOCO, Brentwood and Columbia, MO and in their NJ, OHIO, and PENN closings. hmmmm
