13 hours Ago By Anthony Orrico
A mainstay of the San Fransisco Bay area is closing its doors after nearly half a century in business. Mac's Old House, known for its famous prime rib and minestrone soup announced on social media it would be shuttering its doors after 42 years in operations and over 3 million meals served. The restaurant's posts suggested they never fully recovered from the shutdowns that came during the Covid-19 pandemic.
The post read, “We have weathered recessions, a pandemic, and ever-changing times, and through it all, we have been fortunate to serve this community. We could not have done it without our loyal customers and our dedicated staff. This little house has served well over three million meals, and we are grateful for each and every one of you.
” The local favorite was a hotspot for locals and tourists alike — known for their affordable cocktails and generous portion sizes. Local patrons reacted to the news with sadness for its closing — but also graciousness for the almost half century of service to the community. Mac’s Old House was started in 1983 by Gary Noe after he bought a century's old building, converting it from old bar to a restaurant.
While local restaurants continue to weather the fallout out from Covid, national restaurant chains are not immune from the economic pain as famous brands continue to restructure and close many locations. TGI Fridays, once known for its flair-laden servers, endless appetizers and festive atmosphere has closed a total of over 130 stores this year, since filing for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in November 2024. This most recent spate of closures took place in New York, New Hampshire, Maryland, Massachusetts, and Ohio with signs on locked doors citing the “difficult decision” to close.
These closures aren't something new for a brand that once defined casual dining in the U.S. Between 2008 and 2023, the company closed 55% of its U.
S. locations, with sales dropping by more than 60% over that same period. In 2024 the company lost control of many of its assets when a planned merger with U.
K. franchisee Hostmore fell through. There are only about 39 stores included in the bankruptcy and nine of those stores are likely to be sold to restaurant operator Mera Corp.
for $34.5 million. While the company's U.
S. operations are struggling mightily, the brand still has nearly 400 TGI Fridays worldwide. Most of those stores operate under franchise agreements with former CEO Ray Blanchette being brought back into the company to manage the global franchise sector during these difficult financial times.
The future of the brand in the U.S. remains uncertain.
The chain would frequently be seen adjoining strip malls and adjacent to movie theaters and can be recognized by its trademark red and white strips. Casual dining, once a staple of American society, has seen a steep drop in recent decades as younger generations seek more fast casual dining, and delivery apps and favor value convenience and authenticity over nostalgia. DAILY NEWSLETTER: Sign up here to get the latest news and updates from the Mirror US straight to your inbox with our FREE newsletter.
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