Raw Data Report: Restaurants

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Buca di Beppo (BUCA) Sees Business Mostly the Same or Up from Last Year

Bucca di Beppo, the quirky and wholesome Italian restaurant chain, is not doing as well as hoped, gauging from its most recent fourth quarter and full year 2007 earnings results. But the more profitable dinner shift remains its peak traffic time, customers return for the atmosphere, as much as the food, and many owners report business being up from last year, a recent Tickermine survey says. Tickermine polled 25 locations of the Minneapolis, MN founded firm and asked whether lunch or dinner were busiest, what factors did customers like about their restaurants the most and what was the price range of a table for two?

Dinners were cited as busiest by far with 21 attendants or 84% citing this as their rush, compared with lunch (four people or 16%.) 24 respondents or 96% reported that their location was old compared with one or 4% stating it was new. Most customers come for the atmosphere, the poll says, with 14 or 56%, followed by the menu (nine people or 36%), and prices (two respondents or 8%). Most parties of two spend $20-$30 on their meals. That’s according to nine or 36% respondents followed by $31 to $40, (seven people or 28%,) $41 to $50 (6 or 24%) and $51 to $60 with 3 respondents or 12%. Eighteen respondents or 82% reported having no cheaper restaurants nearby and only 7 or 28% cited this problem. 12 respondents, i.e. 48% reported that business was the same compared with last year, 10 or 40% stated it was busier and 3 or 12% said business was slower.

Finally customers are reportedly drawn to traditional favorites with lasagna and Chicken Canneloni stated four times or 16% as their customer’s most revered dish. Seafood Canneloni and Spaghetti meatballs were both cited three times or 16% followed by Chicken Parmiagana with two or 16%. Buca Mio, Macaroni Rosa, Shrimp Barese, Chicken Paisano, Romano Crusted Tilapia, Pizza and Chicken Saltimbocca all generated one response or 4%.

Maggiano’s Little Italy [Brinker International (EAT)] Reports Affordable Check Sizes, Increase in Business Over Last Year

TickerMine conducted a survey of Maggiano's Little Italy restaurants and learned that 50% of the restaurants surveyed are busier than this time last year. Lunch takes a backseat to dinner, which is the busiest time for 75% of the respondents. The food is the key driver for business, noted 54% of restaurants surveyed. Atmosphere was the second-most frequently mentioned reason for dining at Little Italy. The average check size for a party of two is between $30 and $40 for 48% of restaurants, and between $41 and $50 for another 38%. Just over half (58%) of Little Italy restaurants are located in a mall near other restaurants. Restaurants reported favorite dishes that ranged across every section of the menu, from Chicken Marsala to Chicken Saltimbocca, Lasagne to Rigatoni, and New York Strip to Italian Pot Roast.

Forty-two Percent of Romano's Macaroni Grills [Brinker International (EAT)] Reports Business is Better Than Last Year

TickerMine's recent survey of Romano's Macaroni Grill restaurants revealed that the chain's atmosphere is the reason most customers eat there. Forty-one percent of restaurants surveyed said atmosphere was of primary importance, followed by the menu (32%) and prices (26%). Eighty-seven percent of Macaroni Grills surveyed had been in business for more than one year, and the majority said dinner was their busiest time. The average check size for a party of two was less than $35, according to 64% of survey respondents. Only 19% reported an average check size over $45. About half of the chain's restaurants are located near a mall or close to other restaurants. Business is about the same as last year for 45% of respondents, and busier than last year for 42%. The most popular items on the menu included a wide variety of options, but "make your own" dishes were reported to be the favorite at 21% of restaurants surveyed.

Business Stronger Than Last Year For 43% of BJ’s Restaurant & Brewery (BJRI) Locations

TickerMine surveyed BJ’s Restaurant & Brewery locations across the country and found that two factors were nearly equally important in drawing customers: the menu, cited by 48% of restaurants surveyed, and the atmosphere, per 43% of respondents. The restaurant's prices were only mentioned as a draw by 10% of the restaurants; however, BJ's prices remain reasonable, with 29% of restaurants reporting an average check size of $31 to $40 for a party of two, and 48% reporting an average check size between $20 and $30. Eighty-one percent of respondents said their locations were not near a shopping mall or other, similar restaurants; 76% of the locations had been open for more than a year. Three-quarters of the restaurants said lunch was their busiest time. Forty-three percent of the restaurants were busier than this time last year; an equal number said they are equally busy to last year. The most popular dish at BJ's is the Barbeque Chicken Pizza (29%), followed by Chicken Pot Stickers and Halibut Fish Tacos (20% each.)

Lobster Sales Down At Red Lobster [Darden Restaurants (DRI)]

Red Lobster restaurants report that customers are ordering lobster more frequently (30% ) or as frequently (38%) as last year, with 40% of respondents reporting that lobster sales are down. The most popular menu item cited was the Grilled Maine Lobster and Rock Shrimp (25%), followed by the Fire-Grilled Lobster Chops (17%). No other menu item garnered significant mentions. The average bill for a party of two was between $31 and $40 in 54% of the locations polled, with 21% citing an average check between $41 and $50. Just 50% of the locations surveyed are located near other casual dining spots. Of those, all reported that their competitors’ business also seemed strong.