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I don't understand how anyone can eat at there. The food is actually terrible. It was one of two non-fast food restaurants in the town I grew up in and my parents always suggested to meet up there for dinner and I was still always like.... I'd rather eat at mcdonalds than that place....
I haven't eaten at and Applebee's in well over a decade but in our late teens early 20s my friend group used to do half priced appetizers at Applebee's once a week. It was cheap and we knew a couple of the servers so they were very tolerant of us. This is actually how one of my close friends met his wife.
Boomers with zero discernment have kept some zombie companies alive for decades beyond their natural sunsetting. The same goes for said Boomers.
I have to imagine these places served real food at some point. Like they have fond memories of eating and drinking there, pre enshitification.
TGI Friday's used to be a full blown singles bar advertised as a place for young professionals to meet for one night stands and the like. When their core audience got older and started getting married and having kids, they pivoted to a neighborhood family friendly restaurant.
A friend lived in a similar small town and if I went down to see him Applebee’s was the only place with TVs where we could watch sports. We were so happy when they got a Buffalo Wild Wings, even if they’re overpriced and I can go to better, local sports bars at my house, it’s a dramatic upgrade for his town.