Will AppleBees Make It?

[lightwav]

Just wondering what those in EP think about AppleBees chances of making it (staying in business) in EP..

As we all know many franchises that see success the world over, end up with a rude awakening in EP. EP is a unique place that most outside business people do not come close to understanding. I think you have to live in Eagle Pass for a period of time to really understand how to do business there.

So what's the word? Will AppleBees stay in business long term?

I think I heard that they are funded for the first 2 or 3 years even in the profits are not there. But how about beyond that?

[da_jackal]

Well I think there aren't alot of good choices in EP as for nice restaurants. I think people are happy that there is something else other than charcoal grill.

[Ramon]

I agree but I think it’s like the flavor of the week/month/whatever. I think that soon it will die out and people will go to what is familiar in their past, people fear change. Some things start out pretty good but some just end up closing down because of lack of business.

[da_jackal]

Has anybody noticed the computer superstore next to navejas auto parts. Its a little yellow room. I wonder how places like that last and not well known businesses. I can see a compusa being built here and being put out of business by the little yellow computer store on el indio hwy.

[eagle4ever]

i think applebees will last ONLY cuz of the bar . i have a friend that frequents that joint. she says that the bar is always packed especially for the sports games on tv.

[lightwav]

EP is funny though..

Sure people will say we EP needs another nice place to eat, then you here this:

Ta Loco, $6 for a hamburger! I can get the meat and the bun and make it at home for $1.25 or go to Flamingos 5/$2.00 or whatever..

People will say that want it all day long but when they get the check on the table all hell breaks loose and you start hearing "Ta Loco!" like George Lopez :P

[eagle4ever]

lolllllllllllll @ lightwave.... u are so right though. thats why i said that about starbucks... i doubt they will pay 4-5 bucks for a coffee/cap. when they can buy it for 50 cents at Mickey D's.

i memmer ,u memmer??

[lightwav]

Originally posted by eagle4ever@May 10 2004, 07:00 PM
lolllllllllllll @ lightwave.... u are so right though. thats why i said that about starbucks... i doubt they will pay 4-5 bucks for a coffee/cap. when they can buy it for 50 cents at Mickey D's.

i memmer ,u memmer??
You want me to pay this dining check "Right Now Right Now"?

[Eagletx21]

When I went to Del Rio a while back. It was the Grand Opening of Chili's so it was jam packed with people. So I went to Applebee's with my cousins that live there. Well it was still packed to my surprise and then the waitress said things are slow today since Chili’s opened. I thought to my self the place looks pretty pack except a couple of tables where empty but that was about it. I guess in Del Rio Restaurants do well then in Eagle Pass. I wonder why? Now I go to Del Rio and I see Applebee's is packed all the time as well as Chili’s.

I wonder why Eagle Pass cannot do the same. Is it because people in Eagle Pass don't like to pay somewhat high cost for a dinner and are used to the low cost of fast food? I know that in Del Rio they built Papa John's Pizza and it didn't affect none of the other pizza businesses. Also they are now building 2 new Subways in Del Rio and they also have 2 other small Deli's that sell the same stuff. As well for the 3 McDonald’s in Del Rio and the 2 Burger King's in Del Rio one is in the AFB though.

Maybe next time I go to EP to visit my Uncle and Aunt I will go to Applebee's and give them some more business.

Also Krispy Kreme Doughnuts are sold in Del Rio about once a month from Different organizations that are raising money. They sell them early in the Morning like at around 7 a.m. still nice and warm. I think they are brought in from San Antonio.

Also for the Starbucks Del Rio has one in College.

:huh:

[lightwav]

I think that clearly, Del Rio and Eagle Pass are two different worlds.

Really Eagle Pass is in a world of it's own..

I think part of the reason it's easier for franchise type businesses to make it in Del Rio is because you have the Air Force base which brings people in from outside of the area etc.

[Eagletx21]

lightwav,

You have a good point there. Laughlin AFB does bring in Hundreds of new people if not a thousand or more new people every year into Del Rio. Those people come from all over this country Big Cities small Cities so they do play a major role. If you ever go to Del Rio a lot of the Restaurants like Chili's Applebee's etc are full of people from base because they are used to eating in Restaurants like those not just fast food all the time.

Yet if you all go to Del Rio you will notice that the city is really changing a lot. Del Rio is becoming a very artist city. The hold these monthly art walk event in Downtown that all along downtown there are art work displays of artist from around town and from other cities not to mention several Art Galleries. Another thing is that the city is seeing a lot of more younger people you see more young folks not just teenagers but people in there early twenties in Del Rio that have came back to live in Del Rio. There is a lot and not to forget Lake Amistad helps out a lot.

Yet Eagle Pass does have some stuff that Del Rio does not have. I am not sure exactly what but I know Eagle Pass does have some restaurants that Del Rio Does not have like Pop eye's Peter Piper Pizza and that is all I can think of but there are some more. Yet they are a like in so many ways. For instance Del Rio got a new Wal-Mart Super center so did Eagle Pass a couple of months later so they do have there similarities. Yet Del Rio is growing and so is Eagle Pass. As the cities become larger they will slowing become less alike.

[Rick]

your right lightwave it is a challenge here in ep you ever heard of pop eyes chicken selling breakfast well only in ep hahaha they used to sell hotcakes i dont know if they still do i dont get up that early hahaha oh and if you into selling tacos you better know how to make tortillas cheap cause they only want to pay 50 cents for a homemade tortilla breakfast taco oiiiii hahaha

[da_jackal]

Well i think if you want cheap burgers in a fast food place, you can go to McDonalds or Burger King. I think Applebees is here for more than that. Its a place to take a date and chill with your friends. A nice place to eat with your family. Which is a little more than you ask for in such a plain town like EP. Which we all know that most of the good places to eat are mostly in Piedras Negras. I think if one wants to have a classy dinner or a cool hang out, Applebees is it. You can't have a good time watching the superbowl at McDonalds or Wendys. And why take your girlfriend to a nice dinner at Burger King when you have Applebees. If you're cheap just take your date to McDonalds and have them eat from the dollar menu.

[lightwav]

Originally posted by da_jackal@May 11 2004, 09:35 AM
Well i think if you want cheap burgers in a fast food place, you can go to McDonalds or Burger King. I think Applebees is here for more than that. Its a place to take a date and chill with your friends. A nice place to eat with your family. Which is a little more than you ask for in such a plain town like EP. Which we all know that most of the good places to eat are mostly in Piedras Negras. I think if one wants to have a classy dinner or a cool hang out, Applebees is it. You can't have a good time watching the superbowl at McDonalds or Wendys. And why take your girlfriend to a nice dinner at Burger King when you have Applebees. If you're cheap just take your date to McDonalds and have them eat from the dollar menu.
Well, I agree with many things you say..

My only point is that not enough people will, especially as the newness goes away.

Don't get me wrong, I am a very optimistic person and I would love to see AppleBees make it.

I am just looking at the history of business and mindset of most people in Eagle Pass.

I am glad AppleBees is in EP and hope it stays, my business sense tells me it won't. Maybe it will though, maybe Eagle Pass has matured a bit and will take to it.

I for one think the biggest thing Eagle Pass needs is some entertainment, AppleBees as you mentioned is just that.

[lightwav]

Although the fact that Taco Bell exist in Eagle Pass is way beyond my understanding. :unsure: :blink: :huh: :o

[Eagletx21]

I haven't been to EP in some time now but how many Mexican Restaurants do you all have?

I recently went to Del Rio and noticed some of few remaining Mexican Restaurants are having a hard time staying in Business because of the New American Restaurants they are building and Chinese Restaurants in Del Rio are going up everywhere. If you all ever go to Del Rio go eat at the New China Buffet its behind there Whataburger they have some really great food there and for a low price of about $7.99 not including drink and tip. They have really great food and a very nice looking restaurant.

[elek_trik]

lol It'll stay there, believe me, too many have been clamoring for too long for something of AppleBee's calibur.