Jul 29, 2008 5:59 pm US/Central
Independent Bennigan's Franchises: "We're Open"
Despite Bankruptcy For Parent Company, More Than Half Of Bennigan's Restaurants Still Open
HIGHLAND, Ind. (CBS) ―
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Independent Bennigan's franchises like this one in Highland, Ind., were still open after Bennigan's parent company shuttered all corporate-owned restaurants on July 29, 2008
CBS
Bennigan's restaurants in Gary, Merrillville and Highland, Ind., and in Elgin, Illinois, were working hard Tuesday to make sure customers know they're staying open, after Bennigan's announced that all corporate-owned restaurants had closed.
CBS 2 Northwest Indiana Bureau Chief Pamela Jones reports that independent franchise Bennigan's locations were still open and working hard to let their customers know that was the case.
Larry Briski, president of the Bennigan's Franchise Operator Association, said, "One of the problems is when (the shutdown announcement) first hit, it said all the Chicagoland stores. And since we're right across the border, it kind of affected business. … it's a little slower today."
One pair couldn't get to the Highland, Ind., location fast enough when they heard the news.
Rosemary Sampias said, "This morning my husband heard it on the radio and I told him call and make sure they're open because she's meeting me here."
The owner of the Bennigan's in Highland hung the "we're open" sign right where the public can see it.
Briski said franchises like his make up more than half of the Bennigan's system and are doing well. Customers at the remaining restaurants will see the same menus, same food and same service they're used to.
As for the employees, server Suzanne Briski said, "Once they got here, they're thinking this could happen to us, but I told Larry you need to ensure your employees that everything's okay. So they're fine."
The Southlake, Ind., Bennigan's just re-opened in November after a major face-lift and was already fighting the battle to bring customers back to the tables. Manager Christine Bryant said, "Every customer has asked what is going on so, we just wanted to let them know that we are going to be here. We're in it for the long haul."
Customers armed with Bennigan's gift cards, though, will notice one big change; the cards are no good.
Customer Phyllis Krull said, "I'm here twice a week probably. That's why everyone got us gift cards for Bennigan's."
The business community in northwest Indiana has been reaching out to Bennigan's workers who lost their jobs. A manager at the Old Country Buffet in Calumet City was taking applications and the managers at other Bennigan's locations said they'll try to take some of the employees as well.
(© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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