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Olive Garden, Long Horn Steakhouse: Check out 6 Kyle business updates
The city of Kyle is seeing new developments from Olive Garden and LongHorn Steakhouse, a new skatepark opening, a shelter partnership and recent closures.
Review: I went to Longhorn Steakhouse, saw why it's successful
Longhorn Steakhouse is outperforming many other casual-dining chains. After visiting for the first time, I can see why.
SPECIAL REPORT: Tough Business
A string of vacant restaurant buildings shows that many restaurants in the region are struggling — and several are closing By Stefan Yablonski [caption id=attachment_11132 align=alignright width=401] Smokey Bones Bar & Fire Grill on Route 31 in Clay closed its doors in April. It had been in operation since at least 2008.[/caption] By their nature, most restaurants have a limited life. An astonishing 60% go out of business within three years of opening, largely due to fundamental flaws in the planning of the operation. But even restaurants that experience years of success almost always face eventual closure. The restaurant business is very hard and because of both personal factors and external factors beyond anyone’s control, restaurants don’t last forever. For many restaurants, age is a big factor, according to Kenneth Walsleben, professor of practice, entrepreneurship and emerging enterprises at Syracuse University. “The owners have been at it for 20 or 25 years, if not longer, they want some time to themselves,” he said. Such was the case for Jocko’s Famous Ritz Diner in Oswego. Jocko Reitz bought the building in the late 1970s from Robert Shapiro. However, when he stepped away from the business, it eventually closed. [caption id=attachment_11142 align=alignright width=402] For nearly 80 years, Vona’s Restaurant passed through three generations of family in Oswego. It closed its doors on Dec. 31, 2025.[/caption] For nearly 80 years, Vona’s passed through three generations of family in Oswego. Vona’s Restaurant officially closed its doors on Dec. 31, 2025, when no family member wanted to take over. It is on the market. The Ruby Tuesday in Oswego operated for about two decades before permanently closing in April 2026. The restaurant faced multiple temporary health department closures in 2024 and 2025 due to persistent fruit fly and foundation pest issues. Management posted a final closure notice on the doors in mid-April 2026 and the building was put up for sale. The same pattern has been happening in Onondaga County. The big building once used by Smokey Bones Bar & Fire Grill on Route 31 in Clay remains empty, more than six months after the restaurant closed its doors in April. It had been in operation since at least 2008. [caption id=attachment_11130 align=alignright width=401] Ruby Tuesday in Oswego operated for about two decades before permanently closing in April 2026.[/caption] Just down the road from Smokey Bones, the popular Outback Steakhouse closed in August 2024. Another restaurant took its place, La Cocina Mexican Restaurant, but it closed shortly after. The building sits empty. Other very popular restaurants in the northern suburbs of Syracuse have recently closed. Among them, Fireside by the River in Baldwinsville and Primo Nestico’s Bistro Bar in North Syracuse. “I haven’t really paid attention to the Syracuse area. There has always been some turnover, but there probably has never been a tougher time to be a restauranter than now. It’s just brutal,” Walsleben said. In the first year, roughly 20% to 25% of restaurants close or change hands, according to the National Restaurant Association. [caption id=attachment_11122 align=alignright width=401] Outback Steakhouse closed in August 2024. Another restaurant took its place, La Cocina Mexican Restaurant, but it closed shortly after. The building sits empty.[/caption] “Depending on what statistics you look at, you’ll find that any business has a high mortality rate in the first year. That is just the nature of entrepreneurship,” Walsleben said. “There are certain ones that are getting hit hard while others are more fruitful. “And when you look at the restaurant industry you have to factor in labor which is a large part — typically a third of your expenses — and those costs are going up. And there is always turnover which means investing money to train people. Then you’ve got food costs, which is also a third of the typical restaurant budget. Since the pandemic labor has gone up 41%, food costs have gone up 35%. That’s a big tight squeeze righty there. That’s two-thirds of your budget that has gone up 35% to 40% in the last few years. And then the only way you can make that work is to raise the prices.” The National Restaurant Association reports menu prices are up 36% since February of 2020. In a survey released by the association, more than eight in 10 restaurant owners reported that their food, beverage and labor costs are now higher than before the pandemic. You have to deal with the reality of are the customers willing to pay for that? Walsleben added. Restaurants historically have very thin margins; their profit margin is about 5%. “You have a third that goes into food, a third that goes into labor and about 28%, 29% that goes into everything else — overhead, insurance etc. So that brings you down to your 5% leftover,” he said. “Everything is going up. Customer expectations are going up and people aren’t going to spend that much more. So, you have a tight squeeze here,” Walsleben continued. “Restaurants who use delivery apps, they pay a fee to those guys. Those guys don’t work for free. So, you can kind of see where the squeeze comes from.” Stuck in the middle There are pockets of opportunity; the two extremes of the market can make a profit. But the middle gets squeezed out. “If you are a low-end fast-food kind of place, there is room for that. People have changed their budgets. They are still going out, but they are not spending more,” according to Walsleben. “The high end remains positive. If you have a restaurant that brings a specific experience … a great food product or you are catering to high end customers who aren’t so budget conscious, those patrons are going to expect a high-end experience. They expect excellent food every time. They are expecting excellent service. If you can meet those expectations there is room for you at the top. It’s just the guys in the middle are getting the squeeze from both ends. Tough competition, customer expectations, costs are up. Menu items, you can’t raise the prices as much as you need to. That is why you are seeing a lot of restaurants baling out.” The ones that can adapt quickly are the ones who are doing OK. “Success is heavily dependent on the strength of a restaurant’s concept development and the planning of its execution. Eventually things aren’t always new. Things change. So, if you are in the restaurant business you have got to change your menu — keep things new, fresh and update your meals. It is very fickle industry. One year carbs are out, the next year berries are out. Everybody’s diet changes — constantly chasing the latest phase. You have got to adjust your menu and move with those modifications. If you have a static menu that you have used the last couple years that hasn’t changed except for the pricing, you’ve got a problem,” he said. A lot of times these buildings are singular purpose, he added. “You have a commercially viable kitchen and you got a seating area. There is not a lot of other businesses that cater to that type of a layout. So, it’s pretty common to see another restaurant slide in,” he said. One of the things a banker learns early on is you don’t lend money to restaurants … because they fail so quickly. It is very hard to predict who the winners will be. So, if you are a restaurant in addition to all the other challenges, it is very difficult to get loans, according to Walsleben. “You might work really well in the kitchen. But that doesn’t mean you are a great businessperson,” he said. “Restaurants can fail because the owner didn’t know how to manage things properly. There are a lot of challenges. “There is opportunity at the high end and the low end. But in the middle, that’s the death valley. There are just so many things working against you. You really need to have something that will pull people in and continue to pull people in because you to constantly have to change. Think about a theme and a product that is unique to the area people don’t travel that far these days you have to be able to deliver it in an innovative fashion and keep updating to keep people coming in the door.” Out of Business? How Fast? Do nine out of 10 restaurants fail in their first year, as commonly claimed? No. Survival analysis of 1.9 million longitudinal microdata for 81,000 full-service restaurants in a 20-year U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics non public census of business establishments in the western US shows that only 17% of independently owned full-service restaurant startups failed in their first year, compared with 19% for all other service-providing startups, according to ResearchGate. The median lifespan of restaurants is about 4.5 years, slightly longer than that of other service businesses (4.25 years). However, the median lifespan of a restaurant startup with 5 or fewer employees is 3.75 years, slightly shorter than that of other service businesses of the same startup size (4.0 years). What Makes a Restaurant Successful? Opening and maintaining a successful restaurant is not as easy as creating a great menu and serving excellent food. It takes more than that, according to local restaurant owners who have been in business for decades in the region. They all agree that there are some guidelines to running a successful restaurant. • Quality food: Successful restaurants know exactly what they serve and who they serve it to. Delivering the same great taste every single time builds loyal customers. • Smooth operations: Friendly greetings and attentive staff make guests feel welcome from the moment they walk in. Hiring staff for personality and training for skill ensures reliable, caring service. • Smart marketing: Exceptional food and experiences naturally get people talking and sharing online. Word of mouth can help entice customers. Consistent social media and targeted advertising brings in new and repeat guests also. The menu is what keeps patrons coming back to Mimi’s Diner in Fulton, located at 201 N. Second St. “We locally source our produce and our meats. Our chicken and biscuits is a popular, popular special,” said Richard Tagliareni, the third-generation owner and general manager. “It’s all homemade. We have consistently served quality food.” His grandfather started the business more than 55 years ago. Mimi’s is engrained in the community. They cater to the community and are very involved in everything from the schools to local events. The first Mimi’s Drive-In opened in Mexico. Then a second in Oswego and then Fulton. Fulton’s Mimi’s is the only one left. “The last couple of weeks have been kind of slower than normal. October is usually a busier month for us People will start coming back around again. Also, the price of gas is affecting some things,” Tagliareni added. “We try to keep our prices in line. You go out to eat, you’re going to spend about a hundred bucks or so for two people for dinner. You come here to Mimi’s you are probably for two people for dinner it’s between $50 and $60. We are trying to keep our prices in line. We did have to increase our prices a little bit but things are looking OK.” For the Press Box, 29 E. First St., Oswego, it’s also about great food and a family atmosphere. “Our sports bar and restaurant was established in 1984,” said Alison Canale Scanlon, manager. “I think putting the time into everything makes a big difference and treating people like family when they walk into your restaurant. That’s how we have always operated since 1984.” “It’s the family oriented aspect,” she added. “Consistency, quality and presentation of our food — that’s the secret to a successful restaurant. We try to be very consistent with it. We treat people like family when they come in; because we know how we want to be treated when we go to a restaurant. We treat people the same or better.”
Business Beat: Coldwater Ponderosa ownership celebrate 7 year anniversary
COLDWATER, MI (WTVB) - The Coldwater Ponderosa Steakhouse is celebrating seven years of successful operation u...
Wapak steakhouse hosting live entertainment Saturday
WAPAKONETA — The Mason Jar Steakhouse in downtown Wapakoneta will host a day of entertainment Saturday, Oct. 10, as part of the city’s Main-Perry Street Block Party.
In GOP Speaker Mike Johnson's district, the political mood is mixed for the party in power
SHREVEPORT, La. (AP) — The GOP's “Big Beautiful Bill” is rolling out in different ways across U.S. House Speaker Mike Johnson’s home district — from steakhouse servers getting a tax break on tips to a community center where people line up for a free hot lunch as SNAP benefits are being cut.
In GOP Speaker Mike Johnson's district, the political mood is mixed for the party in power
Legislation the GOP called its “Big Beautiful Bill” is rolling out different ways in Speaker Mike Johnson’s home district. Steakhouse servers are getting a tax break on their tips, but there's a...
In GOP Speaker Mike Johnson's district, the political mood is mixed for the party in power
The GOP's “Big Beautiful Bill” is rolling out in different ways across U.S. House Speaker Mike Johnson’s home district — from steakhouse servers getting a tax break on tips to a community center where...
Iron Age Korean Steakhouse Reopens Friday After Being Closed For Health Code Violations
City inspectors found "over 500" rat droppings at the Wicker Park eatery last month. It has since passed a follow-up inspection and was cleared to reopen.
National restaurant chains join big retail project in growing North Carolina city
Olive Garden, Longhorn Steakhouse and Aspen Dental plan locations at Adams Crossing in Sanford, joining other national chains in the fast-growing Lee County development.
Restaurant group behind Kelce-Mahomes steakhouse takes on Chicago
Noble 33, the group behind Travis Kelce and Patrick Mahomes’ Kansas City steakhouse, plans restaurants in River North and Fulton Market.
Iron Age Korean steakhouse in Wicker Park closed after failed health inspection
Iron Age, the popular Korean steakhouse in Chicago's Wicker Park neighborhood, has been closed by the city after failing a health inspection last week.
Casper's Outback Steakhouse closes permanently after nearly three decades of business
CASPER, Wyo. –– The Casper area Outback Steakhouse located in Evansville closed over this past weekend without warning. Its listing at the Outback website
Patrick Mahomes, Travis Kelce accused of minimizing role in steakhouse lawsuit
A sneaker company is accusing Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelce of downplaying their role in the 1587 Prime steakhouse amid a trademark dispute.
Food for Thought: Lubbock health inspections temporarily shut down steakhouse, find dozens of violations
A steakhouse and sushi bar is back open after inspectors found almost 60 violations during their latest health inspection.
Ernst Names Small Business of the Week, Winn’s Pizza & Steakhouse and Winn & Sara’s Kitchen
Read the release on Sen. Ernst's website HERE. Throughout this Congress, Chair Ernst plans to recognize a small business in every one of Iowa’s 99 counties. RED OAK, Iowa – U.S. Senator Joni Ernst (R-Iowa), Chair of the Senate Small Business Committee, today announced her Small Business of the Week: Winn’s Pizza & Steakhouse and Winn & Sara’s Kitchen of Warren County. Throughout the 119th Congress, Chair Ernst plans to recognize a small business in each of Iowa's 99 counties. "Winn’s Pizza & Steakhouse has been an outstanding addition to the Indianola community," said Chair Ernst. "For 23 years, the Nguyen family has proudly served Iowans with their signature thin-crust pizzas and hand-cut steaks, building a loyal following through exceptional food and service. The Nguyen family’s dedication to their customers and community embodies the very best of Iowa’s entrepreneurial spirit." Founded in 2003 by Winn Nguyen, Winn’s Pizza & Steakhouse has become a beloved fixture in the Indianola community. In 2015, Winn expanded to Norwalk, bringing the business’ssignature hospitality and comfort food to even more Iowans. Most recently, the launch of Winn & Sara’s Kitchen in 2024 further strengthened the family’s connection to the community, earning widespread praise during its first three appearances at the Iowa State Fair. For over two decades, the Nguyen family has worked tirelessly to serve classic comfort food with a creative twist. Stay tuned as Chair Ernst continues to recognize outstanding Iowa small businesses with her Small Business of the Week award. ###
Why luxury steakhouses are such big business in Boston
New, ever-pricier steakhouses keep opening in Boston. Can they all survive in this city?
Northport’s $5M Big Mike’s Steakhouse incentive deal draws scrutiny
Northport’s decision to invest nearly $5 million in a new Big Mike’s Steakhouse is continuing to draw scrutiny from residents and local business owners.City lea
I ordered same meal at Texas Roadhouse and Outback: Which is better
I ordered the same meal of sirloin steak, an appetizer, and dessert from Texas Roadhouse and Outback Steakhouse to see which chain has the best value.
Caesars Entertainment to be acquired by Fertitta in $17B deal
Caesars Entertainment has reached a deal with Fertitta Entertainment to be acquired. Fertitta is Texas billionaire Tilman Fertitta’s company. It owns Saltgrass Steakhouse, Golden Nugget Casinos, and the Houston Rockets. The deal could have local implications for the Mississippi Gulf Coast where Caesars operates the Harrah’s Gulf Coast Casino in Biloxi. Under the agreement, Caesars shareholders would receive 31 dollars...
Mary Means Business: Steakhouse opening in Columbus
Martie’s Steakhouse and More is opening soon in Columbus.
Papi Steak steakhouse in Miami, appetizers, steak: review, photos
I dined at Papi Steak, one of Miami's flashiest steakhouses. Beyond its over-the-top theatrics, the food was genuinely good.
Officials advance expanded tax district for Downtown Chesterfield development despite business opposition
A divided Chesterfield City Council needed the mayor to break a tie Monday night to approve an expansion of the Downtown Chesterfield Special Business District, despite objections from business owners now being pulled into it. The expansion, which would bring Drury Inn & Suites, Hyatt Place Hotel, Stoney River Steakhouse and Grill, Bishop’s Post, and […]
Chicago's best restaurants for business 2026
Whether you're looking for a power lunch, a steakhouse splurge or a cocktail that extends the conversation, we’ve got you covered.
As Kentucky Derby Becomes a Bigger Business, Locals Feel Left Behind
Locals say rising ticket prices and a late start time for the Oaks race on Friday are hurting residents and restaurants. “The only thing I see is greed,” one steakhouse owner said.
Business Insider says this is the most iconic steakhouse in Mississippi
Business Insider just named the most iconic steakhouse in Mississippi. Where is it? How much does it cost? Do you agree?
Hyde Park reopens in Bath with steak menu, more seafood, entertainment
Hyde Park steakhouse returns to Bath Township location after $1.8 million in renovations.
Fort Collins' former Sundance building has a new owner. What we know
After closing its doors on East Mulberry Street in July 2024, the longtime home of Sundance Steakhouse & Saloon officially has a new owner.
West El Paso steakhouse receives low health inspection score: See list
A West El Paso Mexican steakhouse received a barely passing score in this week's restaurant inspections.
Couple quit their jobs, opened a distillery, and are raising a family
Lucy and Andy Rieger's whiskey distillery supplies Travis Kelce and Patrick Mahomes' steakhouse in Kansas City.
Travis Kelce, Patrick Mahomes reportedly sued by sneaker company for copyright infringement
The Kansas City Chiefs' duo owns a steakhouse, 1587 Prime, that's at the center of the lawsuit.
Lucky’s Steakhouse in Davison closed by Health Department
A restaurant in Davison has been closed by the Genesee County Health Department due to food code violations and repeat violations.
Ashburn’s All American Steakhouse is back in business
Good news to report today. The All American Steakhouse restaurant in Ashburn reopened its doors this morning – Saturday, February 7 – two days after it closed amidst a dispute with its landlord. The restaurant – long a staple of the Broadlands Village Center shopping plaza – closed suddenly and with no notice this past
Inside Bad Bunny's restaurant, Gekko, in Miami: What I got for $164
Bad Bunny opened Gekko, a Japanese steakhouse in Miami, in 2022. Ahead of his Super Bowl appearance, I wanted to see if it was worth the hype.
Here are all the businesses in this year’s Chicago Black Restaurant Week
There are nearly 40 restaurants participating in this year’s Chicago Black Restaurant Week, from fast casual and BBQ joints to steakhouses and fine dining establishments.
Tableside magician brings different kind of entertainment to Fratello’s
Magic took center stage in Hernando as Fratello’s Prime Steakhouse welcomed an internationally recognized magician to perform tableside for diners.
Mac’s Chophouse scores 64 on health inspection, owners say violations are being corrected
Mac’s Chophouse, a popular steakhouse on Marietta Square, scored a 64 out of 100 on its routine health inspection Tuesday, according to the Georgia Department of Public Health.
Outback Steakhouse sued after man suffers 'serious bodily injury' from toilet shattering under him
A Florida man sued Outback Steakhouse after a handicapped toilet seat allegedly shattered and collapsed while he was on it, causing severe bodily injury.
Nick Reiner reportedly stormed off after Bill Hader shut him down at Conan O'Brien's party before murders
In the aftermath of Nick Reiner’s arrest for the murders of his parents, Rob and Michele Reiner, details of the holiday party the trio attended the night before keep coming out.
Sirloin and sports stars: Five of Indy's most celebrated steakhouses
Indianapolis is no stranger to steakhouses. Here are some of the best.