Disney closing ESPN Zones nationwide
 

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Larry Weisman LarryWeisman

Disney closing ESPN Zone restaurants nation-wide, including DC and Baltimore. Citing bad economy. 12 minutes ago via TweetDeck

Re: Disney closing ESPN Zones nationwide
 

No big loss for sports fans especially if there's a Buffalo Wild Wings near you...man, that place is paradise.

Re: Disney closing ESPN Zones nationwide
 

[quote=saden1;705578]No big loss for sports fans especially if there's a Buffalo Wild Wings near you...man, that place is paradise.[/quote]

So are the wings there legit?

We've got one opening in my area this summer.

Re: Disney closing ESPN Zones nationwide
 

Closing June 16 in DC and Baltimore for those wondering

BWW wings are redonkulous!

Re: Disney closing ESPN Zones nationwide
 

[quote=Mattyk;705579][B]So are the wings there legit[/B]?

We've got one opening in my area this summer.[/quote]

If bones were edible I would.

We don't have one in Seattle area yet but apparently getting a franchise open is super hard.

Re: Disney closing ESPN Zones nationwide
 

Damn where will I buy stadium price beers at a non-stadium now! Huge loss!

Re: Disney closing ESPN Zones nationwide
 

BWW is awesome. They may not beat your best local place's wing, but they are a good wing. 15 flavors to choose from (my fave: Mango Habanero), and Wing Specials weekly. Plus I think the closest one to me has at least 20 beers on tap, plus coolers full of bottles. Aside from the wings, think sports bar fried foods for the most part, but I haven't had anything there I didn't like.

As far as the Zones closing, I haven't been to a Zone in at least 5 years, so no big loss. What will be interesting in Baltimore and DC is to see what will take over their respective spaces.

Re: Disney closing ESPN Zones nationwide
 

I like how they blame the bad economy and not their bad food and prices. If it was the economy then how come other chain stores are not closing their doors? A bad economy just weeds out the bad places faster.

Re: Disney closing ESPN Zones nationwide
 

I would imagine the overhead to run those places is astronomical, between the restaurant, bar and game rooms, and the people to staff those areas. If they were any one of those 3, they'd be fine. Combining all 3 under one roof is much harder to maintain in a weaken economy.

Re: Disney closing ESPN Zones nationwide
 

This has been developing for a while. The Atlanta and Denver Zones were closed last year to less fanfare. The economy definitely hurts, it's hurting the restaurant business overall as fewer people are opting for sit-down eat-out restaurants. And leasing the space in some of these markets (such as NYC) is an astronomical hit. Plus the novelty has really worn off, especially as more and more households have their own home theater systems to watch sports.

Re: Disney closing ESPN Zones nationwide
 

[quote=SmootSmack;705597]This has been developing for a while. The Atlanta and Denver Zones were closed last year to less fanfare. The economy definitely hurts, it's hurting the restaurant business overall as fewer people are opting for sit-down eat-out restaurants. And leasing the space in some of these markets (such as NYC) is an astronomical hit. Plus the novelty has really worn off, especially as more and more households have their own home theater systems to watch sports.[/quote]

All I know if I go by our local mall area with all the restaurants the parking lots are full. I know the economy hurts some but you could never tell by their parking lots. I'm talking chain rest. and localy owned places. Last Thursday night we went out to a restaurant and the place was packed from the time we entered to the time we left. I'm talking about a rest. that you cannot get out of for anything less then $100 and we dropped $200 that night. It would be intresting to hear what SS33 can add sense he is in the business.

Re: Disney closing ESPN Zones nationwide
 

[quote=saden1;705584]If bones were edible I would.

We don't have one in Seattle area yet but apparently getting a franchise open is super hard.[/quote]I have a friend that bites through the bone and sucks out some of the marrow. I do it on occasion.

Re: Disney closing ESPN Zones nationwide
 

I went to ESPN Zone once and found no reason to return. It reminded me of TGI Fridays but with bathroom TVs. Talking about the one in NYC.

Re: Disney closing ESPN Zones nationwide
 

[quote=tryfuhl;705607]I have a friend that bites through the bone and sucks out some of the marrow. I do it on occasion.[/quote]

I would not go around telling people that you will sometimes suck a bone.

Re: Disney closing ESPN Zones nationwide
 

I LOVE Buffalo Wild Wings. Basically it's like your favorite home-town dive sports bar but it's a chain. Daily drink specials, video trivia, contests, pretty good wings and I do love me some Asian Zing and Mango Habanero, my two favorites. Especially in college towns, the beer and liquor specials are insane. When my wife was working at Virginia Tech we got to know the bartenders at the Blacksburg BWW and they always gave us some swag when we watched VT or Redskins games. GREAT bar and restaurant.

Re: Disney closing ESPN Zones nationwide
 

[quote=firstdown;705612]I would not go around telling people that you will sometimes suck a bone.[/quote]

:lol:

Re: Disney closing ESPN Zones nationwide
 

Zachby's FTW! Wait what?

Re: Disney closing ESPN Zones nationwide
 

The real tragedy in all of this is that a lot of folks are going to lose their jobs...it sucks hard that they have to pay the price for the incompetent of Disney/ESPN management.

Re: Disney closing ESPN Zones nationwide
 

BWW is ok i guess, the one here in williamsburg is fairly new here but nothing to write home about. I actually like the Quaker State wings and atmosphere a whole lot better. Ive never been to a espn zone and I reckon I never will and by the sounds of it I aint missing didly squat.

Re: Disney closing ESPN Zones nationwide
 

[quote=saden1;705638]The real tragedy in all of this is that a lot of folks are going to lose their jobs...it sucks hard that they have to pay the price for the incompetent of Disney/ESPN management.[/quote]

Well to be fair Disney and ESPN employ alot of people and its rare to here about Disney failing at anything because just about everything Disney is involved in turns to gold. Hell now is the time to be unemployed because you can stay on unemployment for like 2 yrs now. Everytime they extend unemployment people all around the US cheer for a few more months they get paid to sit on their ass.

Re: Disney closing ESPN Zones nationwide
 

First went to B dubs in Richmond IN, (hick ass town few miles from Dayton OH) and it was awesome. They have Karaoke nights too! Burgers and wings are pretty awesome. When football season starts I might have to head out to the one in College Park to watch the games. I bet it's ridiculous there with all the UMD kids.

Re: Disney closing ESPN Zones nationwide
 

[quote=firstdown;705663]Well to be fair Disney and ESPN employ alot of people and its rare to here about Disney failing at anything because just about everything Disney is involved in turns to gold. Hell now is the time to be unemployed because you can stay on unemployment for like 2 yrs now. Everytime they extend unemployment people all around the US cheer for a few more months they get paid to sit on their ass.[/quote]

Not everything Disney does turns to gold. Unlike what some people believe though, not everything they do is a total failure either. Many of these employees, if past similar situations are any indication, will be offered other jobs within the company.

I'll disregard your general unemployment statement

Re: Disney closing ESPN Zones nationwide
 

[quote=SmootSmack;705668]Not everything Disney does turns to gold. Unlike what some people believe though, not everything they do is a total failure either. Many of these employees, if past similar situations are any indication, will be offered other jobs within the company.

I'll disregard your general unemployment statement[/quote]

They have a pretty good track record along with ESPN for getting thing right alot of the time. The unemployment statement was to get saden worked up.

Re: Disney closing ESPN Zones nationwide
 

[quote=firstdown;705669]They have a pretty good track record along with ESPN for getting thing right alot of the time. The unemployment statement was to get saden worked up.[/quote]

On behalf of the mouse, the kind words are appreciated. I think we do get things right a lot but we also make mistakes along the way. I don't think the Zone was a mistake, by the way.

Re: Disney closing ESPN Zones nationwide
 

[quote=firstdown;705600]All I know if I go by our local mall area with all the restaurants the parking lots are full. I know the economy hurts some but you could never tell by their parking lots. I'm talking chain rest. and localy owned places. Last Thursday night we went out to a restaurant and the place was packed from the time we entered to the time we left. I'm talking about a rest. that you cannot get out of for anything less then $100 and we dropped $200 that night. It would be intresting to hear what SS33 can add sense he is in the business.[/quote]I have a hard time feeling sorry for the mouse and love Disney-bashing as much as the next guy, but this is hardly a case of incompetent or poor management. The economy is rough out there for any disposable income related business. What you see in the restaurants and malls is still activity, but the overall spend is less. The average debt of families in the U.S. has also dropped. So not only are folks not incurring new debt, they're working to pay off old debt, hence not spending as much.

Our restaurant is down significantly from where we were even a year ago (remember unemployment is a lagging indicator). We're still keeping our heads above water, but that's due to reduced hours for our employees and increased hours for my wife and I. Our food distributors and other folks we know in the restaurant business are confirming what we see in our numbers. Also, two major local suppliers (one for bread, one for produce) that have been in business in Hampton Roads for over twenty years went out of business in the last 3-4 months. Our major supplier has cut its prices to push out our secondary supplier.

When you see Pizza Hut, Papa John's, etc. $ 10 pizza deals go away, then the economy is getting better.

Re: Disney closing ESPN Zones nationwide
 

[quote=Slingin Sammy 33;705694]I have a hard time feeling sorry for the mouse and love Disney-bashing as much as the next guy, but this is hardly a case of incompetent or poor management. The economy is rough out there for any disposable income related business. What you see in the restaurants and malls is still activity, but the overall spend is less. The average debt of families in the U.S. has also dropped. So not only are folks not incurring new debt, they're working to pay off old debt, hence not spending as much.

Our restaurant is down significantly from where we were even a year ago (remember unemployment is a lagging indicator). We're still keeping our heads above water, but that's due to reduced hours for our employees and increased hours for my wife and I. Our food distributors and other folks we know in the restaurant business are confirming what we see in our numbers. Also, two major local suppliers (one for bread, one for produce) that have been in business in Hampton Roads for over twenty years went out of business in the last 3-4 months. Our major supplier has cut its prices to push out our secondary supplier.

[B]When you see Pizza Hut, Papa John's, etc. $ 10 pizza deals go away,[/B] then the economy is getting better.[/quote]

Noooooooooo

Re: Disney closing ESPN Zones nationwide
 

[quote=SmootSmack;705597]This has been developing for a while. The Atlanta and Denver Zones were closed last year to less fanfare. The economy definitely hurts, it's hurting the restaurant business overall as fewer people are opting for sit-down eat-out restaurants. And leasing the space in some of these markets (such as NYC) is an astronomical hit. Plus the novelty has really worn off, especially as more and more households have their own home theater systems to watch sports.[/quote]


As a former Marriott and Disney employee managing their revenue in the hotel/restaurant sector of their businesses I will have to say Disney has no business being in the restaurant or hotel industry. Disney should simply stick to the entertainment side of their business model. Now that the economy is stinking up or has been Disney just can't compete in the hotel/restaurant industry.

I predict Disney vacation clubs to be the next to sink.

Re: Disney closing ESPN Zones nationwide
 

wait, did someone post the word "ridonkulous" in this thread??

Re: Disney closing ESPN Zones nationwide
 

[quote=mredskins;705706]As a former Marriott and Disney employee managing their revenue in the hotel/restaurant sector of their businesses I will have to say Disney has no business being in the restaurant or hotel industry. Disney should simply stick to the entertainment side of their business model. Now that the economy is stinking up or has been Disney just can't compete in the hotel/restaurant industry.

I predict Disney vacation clubs to be the next to sink.[/quote]

There has been talk for a while, there even was with the Zones, of doing basically what the Redskins did with their stores. Move the management of the business outside the company but allow the new management to keep the Disney name for licensing and branding purposes.

I'm not really involved at all on that side of the business of course, but I have worked with them on occasion and it's definitely a daunting business they seem to work in.

Re: Disney closing ESPN Zones nationwide
 

[quote=mredskins;705706]As a former Marriott and Disney employee managing their revenue in the hotel/restaurant sector of their businesses I will have to say Disney has no business being in the restaurant or hotel industry. Disney should simply stick to the entertainment side of their business model. Now that the economy is stinking up or has been Disney just can't compete in the hotel/restaurant industry.

I predict Disney vacation clubs to be the next to sink.[/quote]

I admittedly have no idea how Disney operates as a company but they run the biggest resort in the world don't they? And make tons on it? Is that sector of their business just totally separate??? because they seem to have that stuff set up pretty well. I guess it is a different thing all together.

Re: Disney closing ESPN Zones nationwide
 

[quote=Slingin Sammy 33;705694]I have a hard time feeling sorry for the mouse and love Disney-bashing as much as the next guy, but this is hardly a case of incompetent or poor management. The economy is rough out there for any disposable income related business. What you see in the restaurants and malls is still activity, but the overall spend is less. The average debt of families in the U.S. has also dropped. So not only are folks not incurring new debt, they're working to pay off old debt, hence not spending as much.

Our restaurant is down significantly from where we were even a year ago (remember unemployment is a lagging indicator). We're still keeping our heads above water, but that's due to reduced hours for our employees and increased hours for my wife and I. Our food distributors and other folks we know in the restaurant business are confirming what we see in our numbers. Also, two major local suppliers (one for bread, one for produce) that have been in business in Hampton Roads for over twenty years went out of business in the last 3-4 months. Our major supplier has cut its prices to push out our secondary supplier.

When you see Pizza Hut, Papa John's, etc. $ 10 pizza deals go away, then the economy is getting better.[/quote]


Disney had 3.3 billion dollars in profit last year and has 3.4 billion cash on hand, I think they can carry the chain through rough times. Their mistake was to simply rely on brand name to carry their restaurant. I can get better food and more beer choice at my local bar at better prices so why would I go in to a Zone?

Re: Disney closing ESPN Zones nationwide
 

[quote=FRPLG;705722]I admittedly have no idea how Disney operates as a company but they run the biggest resort in the world don't they? And make tons on it? Is that sector of their business just totally separate??? because they seem to have that stuff set up pretty well. I guess it is a different thing all together.[/quote]


I consider the park itself a different entity then the hotels/restaurants. The properties at the parks do well it is when you start pulling away from the park that they struggle. They started in the entertainment business and then theme parks which obviously is their strong suit so much so that they are able to dabble in lots of other ventures. Basically retail,hotels, restaurants, cruise ships, etc... are all secondary sources of income for them but they all help drive the Disney name so if they fall behind it is not such a black eye for Disney becasue the revenue from entertainment/theme parks can cover up a lot of those sins but now that the economy is tanking hard for them to cover up.

Re: Disney closing ESPN Zones nationwide
 

[quote=firstdown;705593]I like how they blame the bad economy and not their bad food and prices. If it was the economy then how come other chain stores are not closing their doors? A bad economy just weeds out the bad places faster.[/quote]

Yeah, I went to the Inner Harbor one a few years ago, wasn't impressed.