Question for my fellow Kansas Citians...

[Fountain79]

Have you ever noticed traveling to other parts of the country and even other parts of Missouri how certain chain/corporate places do not exist here but thrive in other places. Jack in the Box, Tony Roma's, White Castle, Chevy's(the unfortunate chain Mexican restaurant) to name a few. Are we more loyal to local places or is this just an indication of the extent of money in this town? Or am I just being silly?

[kweerwolf]

1. I've noticed it, but can't explain it.

We used to have several White Castles in the midtown area. Now they are all gone. Ditto with Hardee's (but it's all over the 'burbs.) Meanwhile other chains seem to thrive. Try to go half a dozen blocks without seeing a Wendy's, McDonald's or even Applebees. I'm not sure if it's a marketing strategy on the part of some of the companies or if they just can't figure out the market.

For instance, there was a restaurant across from where I used to work. In 10 years' time it went from Arbys to an independent burger place to closed for a year to a Mexican restuarant to a Texas Toms to closed for a couple of years to finally a sports bar. And this was across from a university, so it was a high traffic area.

[Fountain79]

2. true

McDonald's, Wendy's, and Applebee's I would think would be normal to see in most cities. I don't think I have been to a city in this country, granted there are still plenty left to visit, that don't have that trilogy.

My parents told me that Jack in the Box used to be around here but it no longer exists really, apparently even What-A-Burger was up here for a short time and failed.(That place only seems to exist in Texas and parts of Mexico)

[TheDebbieDee]

13. Whataburger is or was very popular in Oklahoma, too!

[proud2BlibKansan]

4. Applebees corporate office is in OP, KS

So it makes sense that we have a lot of Applebees here.

[proud2BlibKansan]

3. We have plenty of chains here

We have also had Jack in the Box and White Castle and Chevys. I certainly don't miss any of those places and I don't go visit them when I travel to cities that have them. Jack in the Box - just a fast food burger joint not much different from any others. White Castle - I never understood the appeal. I couldn't stand their burgers. Chevys - with all the great Mexican restaurants in KC, why would anyone think a chain with average Mexican food be a place we need to have? As a chain, I think On the Border has much much better food.

[MissMarple]

5. Does anyone remember Wimpey's?

I used to live in Kansas City. It was sad to see it is gone. And there was a local place near Westport, a diner that had Italian steak sandwiches. I found it on google, Norm's Zesto. And Stroud's? Is it still there? I'm guessing Bryant's is still doing well.

[pstokely]

6. Stroud's has two places

the original one has to make way for a bridge

[MissMarple]

7. Well, the old bridge was pretty scary, as I recall.

But the place had great atmosphere.

[proud2BlibKansan]

8. wow I remember Wimpy's

and The Wishbone restaurant and Putch's and Whopper Burger. And The Gold Buffet.

[tazkcmo]

9. Just Silly

Different Chains for different strains

[ccjlld]

10. Why would you need a bunch a chains

when you have places like Fiorella's Jack Stack, and Strouds?
Seriously, Jack Stack has the best BBQ beans ever!

[proud2BlibKansan]

11. And Gates and BBs

and The Corner up north.

I'm with you. Who needs chains?

[Fountain79]

12. Don't misunderstand me..

I am not asking that these chains exist here. Merely a random comment based on an observation that became a thought that occupied my mind longer than it needed to, and I decided to pass it on to others...

[ochazuke]

14. Speaking of chains

K.C. is, or used to be, home to a company that owned several chain restaurants. The company was called something like Gilbert Robinson, and among thier many chains was Annie's Santa Fe.

Surely someone knows better than I.

Anyway, maybe the abundance of local chains like that suppressed others from coming in.