Companies That You Expect to Disappear Soon

[Peter Mugridge]

Weatherspoon's has a net worth of £393 million and has £87 million in hard cash in the bank; I doubt it's going anywhere soon so as @yorkie says it probably shouldn't really be on this thread!!

https://companycheck.co.uk/company/01709784/J-D-WETHERSPOON-PLC/financials#key-financials ( screenshot below from this link showing those numbers )

 

[Peter Sarf]

Weatherspoon's has a net worth of £393 million and has £87 million in hard cash in the bank; I doubt it's going anywhere soon so as @yorkie says it probably shouldn't really be on this thread!!

https://companycheck.co.uk/company/01709784/J-D-WETHERSPOON-PLC/financials#key-financials ( screenshot below from this link showing those numbers )

View attachment 167491

Yes one to rule out. It is not just about obvious things like closures. It is about timely closures/cut-backs and avoiding being overstretched or acting too late - the absence of which is what I think has been the downfall of many firms mentioned on this thread.

 

[jon0844]

Slightly surprised at Wendy’s being expensive. When they had just reopened in Oxford I thought their prices were on a par with BK and McDonalds, rather than the upmarket outlets like Five Guys. Have they ramped up recently? (I’ve not been in for a while)

Compared to Five Guys, Wendy's is like free food! That's a whole different level, but has created a cult following to become the Apple of burger joints - and so people don't seem to complain about the prices, especially when they get so many extra chips for free! [And, yes, the food IS nice which obviously helps].

 

[Peter Sarf]

Compared to Five Guys, Wendy's is like free food! That's a whole different level, but has created a cult following to become the Apple of burger joints - and so people don't seem to complain about the prices, especially when they get so many extra chips for free! [And, yes, the food IS nice which obviously helps].

Actually - makes me wonder is there room for both Burger King and Wendys ?.
Burger King as a brand are getting a bit tired maybe ?.
Possibly a long time before the likes of Wendys could wipe them out.
Just a thought.

Note McDonalds props up the bottom in my view and probably no other burger chain wants to go there ?.

 

[jon0844]

Burger King and Wendy's do nice food. Not saying McDonald's is bad, but their attempts to launch premium 'signature' burgers failed miserably. There's a price to pay, and I think while McDonald's is somewhere people might go a lot - BK and Wendy's is rarer. Certainly in WGC, the McDonald's is always busy and BK can literally be empty even during lunchtime. When I've been in there, I rarely encounter a single delivery driver picking up.

Five Guys has done exceptionally well, but I wonder if the bubble will burst? A few years ago we had loads of premium burger restaurants that charged £10+ for a burger and made you pay for sides and drinks on top, meaning it could quite easily set you back £15. They pretty much all failed, if not entirely, certainly reducing their estate to a relative handful of locations.

 

[Russel]

Slightly surprised at Wendy’s being expensive. When they had just reopened in Oxford I thought their prices were on a par with BK and McDonalds, rather than the upmarket outlets like Five Guys. Have they ramped up recently? (I’ve not been in for a while)

I used Wendys in Whitby over the summer and from memory, it was normal, fast food prices, I don't remember it being much more than McDonalds.

I didn't like how they were almost begging me to leave a Google Review, however.

 

[jon81uk]

Croydon Five Guys is in a former Yates pub. I remember once going in on a Friday when the nearest Wetherspoons was too busy but the Yates was deserted so we quickly left !.
Is Five Guys a brand owned by the same group as Yates ?.
Are there any Yates left - I think properly called "Yates's Wine Lodge" ?.

I think Yate's are owned by Stonegate (who own a lot of pubs and Slug & Lettuce) but they just treat them as another pub rather than a seperate chain.

 

[class350desiro]

Not really a company - a brand so I doubt this qualifies - but I doubt gold radio will last to the end of the decade, which, I say, is a right shame.

 

[simonw]

Not really a company - a brand so I doubt this qualifies - but I doubt gold radio will last to the end of the decade, which, I say, is a right shame.

Never heard of them so I don't miss them if they go.

 

[DM352]

Burger King and Wendy's do nice food. Not saying McDonald's is bad, but their attempts to launch premium 'signature' burgers failed miserably. There's a price to pay, and I think while McDonald's is somewhere people might go a lot - BK and Wendy's is rarer. Certainly in WGC, the McDonald's is always busy and BK can literally be empty even during lunchtime. When I've been in there, I rarely encounter a single delivery driver picking up.

Five Guys has done exceptionally well, but I wonder if the bubble will burst? A few years ago we had loads of premium burger restaurants that charged £10+ for a burger and made you pay for sides and drinks on top, meaning it could quite easily set you back £15. They pretty much all failed, if not entirely, certainly reducing their estate to a relative handful of locations.

Five Guys is private and operated on a franchise system. They appeared here in Calgary a few years ago and we went there pre-covid a few times and was not cheap and have not been back since inflation but have not seen any close down here yet. I could see them keep going mostly worldwide with the odd franchise failing.

Like others said, we also saw many independent premium burger places fail. It gets to how much is a burger and chips really worth even if the meat came from an organic farm? And to feed a family.....

Wendys and Mcdonalds is also pricey here of late for regular meal deals, less "value pick" items available. We use coupons (or now app with a hotmail address!) to save a few $.

 

[class350desiro]

Never heard of them so I don't miss them if they go.

It’s a radio station which plays music from the 1960s to the 1990s.

 

[lookapigeon]

Five Guys is private and operated on a franchise system. They appeared here in Calgary a few years ago and we went there pre-covid a few times and was not cheap and have not been back since inflation but have not seen any close down here yet. I could see them keep going mostly worldwide with the odd franchise failing.

Like others said, we also saw many independent premium burger places fail. It gets to how much is a burger and chips really worth even if the meat came from an organic farm? And to feed a family.....

Wendys and Mcdonalds is also pricey here of late for regular meal deals, less "value pick" items available. We use coupons (or now app with a hotmail address!) to save a few $.

I've never understood the appeal of Five Guys, I've had it once but to be pushing £20 for a burger, fries and drink and having it delivered to me at the end of the counter in a paper bag. You can get somewhere with table service cheaper!

Re. spoons like any large chain they will always evaluate the turnover, profit and costs for each location and look to exit where appropriate. I can't believe people up in arms about this stuff, no business will want to willingly keep open a location that does not cover its costs or turn a profit. You can't keep on infinitely opening locations without closing some that are not performing.

 

[ChrisC]

I've never understood the appeal of Five Guys, I've had it once but to be pushing £20 for a burger, fries and drink and having it delivered to me at the end of the counter in a paper bag. You can get somewhere with table service cheaper!

I’ve never eaten in Five Guys but having read that I won’t be doing so. I’ve looked at them occasionally and considered going in but I’m not a great fan of fast food burger places. For that price I would expect table service with proper plates and cutlery and not have to collect my own food in a paper bag.

 

[GoneSouth]

I’ve never eaten in Five Guys but having read that I won’t be doing so. I’ve looked at them occasionally and considered going in but I’m not a great fan of fast food burger places. For that price I would expect table service with proper plates and cutlery and not have to collect my own food in a paper bag.

I think with Five Guys you are definitely paying for the quality of the food over the competition. If, for the same price point you are expecting table service then something’s got to give. I don’t eat there often but when I have it’s been far far superior to McD’s

 

[gg1]

I've never understood the appeal of Five Guys, I've had it once but to be pushing £20 for a burger, fries and drink and having it delivered to me at the end of the counter in a paper bag. You can get somewhere with table service cheaper!

I went once and was underwhelmed, quality was comparable to the far cheaper Burger King as far as my tastebuds were concerned and vastly inferior to many gastropub burgers I've paid a similar price for.

 

[Peter Sarf]

I've never understood the appeal of Five Guys, I've had it once but to be pushing £20 for a burger, fries and drink and having it delivered to me at the end of the counter in a paper bag. You can get somewhere with table service cheaper!

Yes. I would try Five Guys for half that price on the assumption it was better than McDs but at the price they charge it has to be a knife and fork meal.

Re. spoons like any large chain they will always evaluate the turnover, profit and costs for each location and look to exit where appropriate. I can't believe people up in arms about this stuff, no business will want to willingly keep open a location that does not cover its costs or turn a profit. You can't keep on infinitely opening locations without closing some that are not performing.

Also , I believe Wetherspoons ended up relatively short of staff after Covid so I assume they were not going to train new staff for marginal locations.

I think with Five Guys you are definitely paying for the quality of the food over the competition. If, for the same price point you are expecting table service then something’s got to give. I don’t eat there often but when I have it’s been far far superior to McD’s

Yes. I assume the burger is quality but for the prices I saw I would expect to be served. Definately looked better than MsDs.

 

[GoneSouth]

Also , I believe Wetherspoons ended up relatively short of staff after Covid so I assume they were not going to train new staff for marginal locations.

Brexit was a major factor in the problems finding enough staff for Spoons. Ironic considering Tim was one of Brexit’s loudest supporters. Careful what you wish for eh!

 

[PauloDavesi]

Five Guys in the USA are a lot better value, and are a very popular chain on the east coast of the USA. The West Coast equivalent would be In n'Out Burger, where all the branches are company owned.

 

[Mcr Warrior]

I’ve never eaten in Five Guys but having read that I won’t be doing so.

Here's me thinking that "Five Guys" was the one time brand name of a once popular Fry's milk chocolate bar.


(Pic of a vintage J.S. Fry's Milk Chocolate advertisement. )

 

[route101]

Burger King and Wendy's do nice food. Not saying McDonald's is bad, but their attempts to launch premium 'signature' burgers failed miserably. There's a price to pay, and I think while McDonald's is somewhere people might go a lot - BK and Wendy's is rarer. Certainly in WGC, the McDonald's is always busy and BK can literally be empty even during lunchtime. When I've been in there, I rarely encounter a single delivery driver picking up.

Five Guys has done exceptionally well, but I wonder if the bubble will burst? A few years ago we had loads of premium burger restaurants that charged £10+ for a burger and made you pay for sides and drinks on top, meaning it could quite easily set you back £15. They pretty much all failed, if not entirely, certainly reducing their estate to a relative handful of locations.

Five Guys don't seem to be expanded as much now. They are pretty consistent if dear.

 

[TheSmiths82]

I've used Five Guys a few times, but I usually only get one thing and skip the drink. It is useful if I need a quick good quality snack and cba with the screaming kids in McDonalds and Wetherspoons is too busy or there are none near by (or more likely I am try to avoid them!). What put me off is when I was in Paris and how much cheaper it was, I didn't want to venture out of the station while waiting for my Eurostar gate to open as I have issues int he past with muggers (I was nearly mugged a few years back outside the station). The Five Guys in a train station in the middle of Paris was cheaper than the one London Kings Cross (not in the station).

I try and avoid Wetherspoons when I can, but I admit I do use them occasionally but I often find Greene King and Stonegate pubs can match them in terms of value for money if they have an offer on, and the quality of the food is better.

Wetherspoons certainly isn't going any where soon, but I popped into the new one in Euston a couple of times when I was last in London and I was surprised that wasn't that busy especially considered how busy the one in St Pancras gets.

Finally I wonder how HMV are doing in the UK? I popped in to one the other day and the record prices are now just stupid, most of the independent record stores in Manchester are cheaper. I used to sometimes buy from HMV as they sometimes had decent offers on, it has got to the point now where I might not even bother going in anymore.

 

[jon0844]

Wetherspoons certainly isn't going any where soon, but I popped into the new one in Euston a couple of times when I was last in London and I was surprised that wasn't that busy especially considered how busy the one in St Pancras gets.

It's not in a place where I'd expect a lot of people to notice it, compared to St Pancras. I suppose that's a good thing though, as you can add it to the list of quiet places in London to go to relax/work/eat.

 

[TheSmiths82]

It's not in a place where I'd expect a lot of people to notice it, compared to St Pancras. I suppose that's a good thing though, as you can add it to the list of quiet places in London to go to relax/work/eat.

I only knew it existed when I told a friend I struggle to find any where round there to get a pint and a bit of food for less than £20. She then told me about it, even though I have been to London and stayed in that area a few times since it opened I had no idea it existed until she told me . It is cheap for Wetherspoons in central London too.

 

[jon0844]

I only knew it existed when I told a friend I struggle to find any where round there to get a pint and a bit of food for less than £20. She then told me about it, even though I have been to London and stayed in that area a few times since it opened I had no idea it existed until she told me . It is cheap for Wetherspoons in central London too.

It certainly wasn't a cheap place to eat or drink before though!

(For those that aren't aware, it used to be a Secrets strip club before).

 

[jon81uk]

I try and avoid Wetherspoons when I can, but I admit I do use them occasionally but I often find Greene King and Stonegate pubs can match them in terms of value for money if they have an offer on, and the quality of the food is better.

Greene King prices and quality are all over the place though. I've had food thats over twice the price of Wetherspoons and no better quality.

 

[Peter Sarf]

Greene King prices and quality are all over the place though. I've had food thats over twice the price of Wetherspoons and no better quality.

Yes. I find Wetherspoons quite consistent, reasonable quality and not too pricey (not as cheap as pre-Covid mind you) so you know what to expect. I do not think Wetherspoons are in danger but other competitors like Greene King might be more likely to go under.

 

[Cross City]

other competitors like Greene King might be more likely to go under.

i don't think companies like Greene King will go under, but I can see a slimming down of their brands.

Greene King, M&B, Whitbread etc all own multiple brands each, all of them pumping out very similar food across all of the brands in each's portfolio. When I worked for Whitbread the menu at a Bar & Block (their poshest brand, a Miller & Carter equivalent) shared around 80% of the menu at their cheapest brand Brewers Fayre. The only difference was the crockery it was served on and the price.

In the current climate it probably doesn't make much sense for a company like M&B to keep the very similar Vintage, Sizzler, Stonehouse and Ember all going along (paying for separate branding, staffing, some menu items, etc) at the same time all practically offering identical things.

Whitbread have already done similar with their poorer performing Beefeaters and Brewers Fayres absorbed into Premier Inn.

 

[jon81uk]

In the current climate it probably doesn't make much sense for a company like M&B to keep the very similar Vintage, Sizzler, Stonehouse and Ember all going along (paying for separate branding, staffing, some menu items, etc) at the same time all practically offering identical things.

I am surprised that M&B operate so many of those smaller brands when I expect Miller & Carter, Harvester and Toby Carvery are probably a big chunk of their restaurant sales.

 

[Statto]

Greene King pubs vary in service & prices, their is one Greene King pub by my home, it can take ages to get served, even when it's quiet, & it's notorious for slow service, (& it's a running joke amongst my friends too) but it's around £4.50 to £5 a pint, the pub over the road (which is my regular) it's £2.80 a pint for the same beer brand, & better service,

A lot of Greene King pubs survive is they do food, the standard pub fare food, ie steaks, burgers & such.

 

[jon81uk]

Greene King pubs vary in service & prices, their is one Greene King pub by my home, it can take ages to get served, even when it's quiet, & it's notorious for slow service, (& it's a running joke amongst my friends too) but it's around £4.50 to £5 a pint, the pub over the road (which is my regular) it's £2.80 a pint for the same beer brand, & better service,

A lot of Greene King pubs survive is they do food, the standard pub fare food, ie steaks, burgers & such.

£2.80 a pint! Where are these crazy low prices?