McCormick and Schmick's Reports Business Remains Strong

Business remains strong at McCormick and Schmick’s Seafood restaurants despite economic woes, with 43% stating business is the same as a year ago and 33% reporting their location is busier than a year ago. The most popular menu items are salmon (40%), wild halibut (17%), steak (13% ), and the Seafood Trio (13%). 80% of those polled report that dinner is their busiest time, with the tab for a party of two averaging $50-$60 at 33% of those polled.

72% of Ramada Inn Employees say the Economy has Not Slowed their Business at All

Tickermine surveyed the Ramada Inns, the hotel chain owned by Wyndham Hotels and Resorts, LLC this month. We asked about how many rooms the hotels had, how many standard rooms were available that night, the average rate per night of standard rooms, whether the respondent thought that this rate would increase next month and the availability and numbers of luxury suites. 32 hotels nation-wide were consulted for the poll. Twenty respondents or 62% reported having less than 150 rooms while 12 or 38% had more than 150 rooms. We thought it looked somewhat promising that for 78% of respondents, less than half of the hotel was available on the night that the survey was conducted. Only 7 respondents or 22% said that more than half of the hotel was available. Twenty two respondents or 69% of those polled said that the average price for their standard rooms was less than $99. Ten respondents or 31% stated their rate as between $100-$150. Also interesting, 19 or 59% felt that the room price was fixed and would not increase next month but 13 or 41% felt that the rate would increase some. Sixteen respondents or 50% said that less than 15 of their rooms were luxury suites. Eight or 25% said that between 15-50 rooms were luxury, three respondents said they had no suites (9%), another three said they had between 50-100 and two (6%) reported having 119-150. Fourteen or 44% said more than half of these luxury suites were available that night. 12 or 38% said less than half were available, 4 or 13% said all were available and a promising 6 or 19% said none were. We also thought it was positive to hear that 23 respondents or 72% said the economy had not slowed their business at all. Only 9 people or 28% felt that it had.

Business is the Same as Last Year for 48% of Cracker Barrel Restaurants, 26% say it has Slumped

CBRL Group Inc., the company behind the Cracker Barrel Old Country Store restaurants and gift shops, have seen its restaurant sales fall 0.9 percent in April and a further dip in same-store retail sales in May of 9.7 percent.