The restaurants being focused on by USA TODAY are all chain and theme restaurants. KFC offers grilled chicken.. Pizza Hut offers pasta.. McDonalds offers nice coffee..All interesting and yes all showing that restaurants have to change their culture and environment to keep things exciting and interesting, but the USA TODAY article didn't go as far as it could it. Taking the easy way out and just looking at the major high prized chains isn't a true snapshot of one the real restaurants are doing to survive the economic collapse the nation hasn't recovered from yet..
What are the small places doing? How are the menus changing?
I know at least two of three of my favorite places have raised prices to the point where I can't go there anymore. One in particular has excellent pizza, but a pizza, salad, and 2-liter of Coke costing $26 bucks is a bit much for my poor taste. Frozen pizzas have as much salt and fat and are much cheaper.. Frozen for me from now on..
Likewise, some higher-end establishments that I am aware of are losing some business.. Instead of raising prices too much they are trying to offer extended happy hours, newer drinks, or a lower priced menu during certain hours..
And finally, the Jackson House, my favorite burger restaurant in Harrisburg, PA, offers the same product at the same price and is still doing the same great business it always did..
The real story in the new economy is "changing" things up, but instead offering the best product at the best price.. Places like the Jackson House or Devito's in Ashland, PA (my favorite pizza joint) are offering good products at fair prices.
It doesn't mean that the restaurants won't eventually fail.. It just means that they have a good competitive edge that gives them more breathing room in a time when so many other meager and tasteless food establishments have stopped breathing...
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