The Laconia Burger King Property

Airedale1 · 03-24-2010, 01:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by VitaBene

Sorry, I respectfully disagree with your assessment of that property and the restaurant business in general around the Lake. In season weeks and some off season weekends are a beautiful thing for restaurant owners around here, but most will tell you there is no flocking.

IMO, the added costs of taxes and mortgage payments for a waterfront restaurant cannot be borne in our short season.

My comments were made specifically about the Burger King in Laconia and I made no comments whatsoever regarding, "the restaurant business in general around the Lake."

That being said, when you say, "IMO, the added costs of taxes and mortgage payments for a waterfront restaurant cannot be borne in our short season." Are you saying that there are no successful waterfront restaurants on Winnipesaukee?

VitaBene · 03-24-2010, 05:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Airedale1

My comments were made specifically about the Burger King in Laconia and I made no comments whatsoever regarding, "the restaurant business in general around the Lake."

That being said, when you say, "IMO, the added costs of taxes and mortgage payments for a waterfront restaurant cannot be borne in our short season." Are you saying that there are no successful waterfront restaurants on Winnipesaukee?

There are plenty of pre-existing restaurants that are on the lake and are successful, but I can't think of many (or any) stand-alone restaurants that have been redeveloped as this site requires.

I guess my point was that if Panera were to open a restaurant in the Lakes region, they would likely look at sites that are not waterfront. Assuming a property cost delta of at least plus $1 Million and an increased tax burden of $3K a month, Winni traffic would have to support an additional $10-12K/month. That does not take into consideration the year round maintenance costs on the currently unprotected docks or the nightmarish DES process to build there.

I am not saying someone won't bite on that property as a restaurant, but I sure would not.

dpg · 03-24-2010, 11:56 AM

I think their opening one like 4 miles down the street from me in Mass. Drove by with the wife a few weeks ago and she commented she had heard of the place and said their supposed to be good. I'll have to check again but I think it was 5 guys. In Natick for anyone familiar with the area.

mcdude · 03-24-2010, 12:29 PM

yup...they opened up a five guys down here in my town in Mass. Sorry but I was not impressed. Over ten bucks for a soda, fries and cheeseburger? I think not. Wendy's is only a block away. I'll go there and save some money.

meredith weekender · 03-24-2010, 01:46 PM

The wife and I have been to the 5 Guys in Manchester for lunch a couple of times now. We get 2 cheeseburgers

, a small fry

and 2 med drinks for $15 including tax. Not bad in my opinion.

winniplayhouse · 03-24-2010, 01:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dpg

I think their opening one like 4 miles down the street from me in Mass. Drove by with the wife a few weeks ago and she commented she had heard of the place and said their supposed to be good. I'll have to check again but I think it was 5 guys. In Natick for anyone familiar with the area.

If you're talking about the one next to Panera in Natick then, yes, it's a 5 Guys. Drove by a couple weeks ago.

Airedale1 · 03-26-2010, 09:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by VitaBene

There are plenty of pre-existing restaurants that are on the lake and are successful, but I can't think of many (or any) stand-alone restaurants that have been redeveloped as this site requires.

I guess my point was that if Panera were to open a restaurant in the Lakes region, they would likely look at sites that are not waterfront. Assuming a property cost delta of at least plus $1 Million and an increased tax burden of $3K a month, Winni traffic would have to support an additional $10-12K/month. That does not take into consideration the year round maintenance costs on the currently unprotected docks or the nightmarish DES process to build there.

I am not saying someone won't bite on that property as a restaurant, but I sure would not.

All good points and although I agree with your assessment, I would still love to see a Panera open there or for that matter anywhere in the Lakes Region.

VitaBene · 03-27-2010, 06:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Airedale1

All good points and although I agree with your assessment, I would still love to see a Panera open there or for that matter anywhere in the Lakes Region.

Paul, I agree completely. I would love to see a Panera (and 5 Guys) in the area!! Are Paneras franchises or all company stores?

03-24-2010, 12:29 PM	#4
mcdude Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Rock Haven Lake - West Newfield, ME Posts: 5,367 Thanks: 374 Thanked 1,057 Times in 495 Posts	yup...they opened up a five guys down here in my town in Mass. Sorry but I was not impressed. Over ten bucks for a soda, fries and cheeseburger? I think not. Wendy's is only a block away. I'll go there and save some money. __________________

03-24-2010, 01:46 PM	#5
meredith weekender Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Meredith / Manchester Posts: 373 Thanks: 87 Thanked 84 Times in 57 Posts	The wife and I have been to the 5 Guys in Manchester for lunch a couple of times now. We get 2 cheeseburgers, a small fry and 2 med drinks for $15 including tax. Not bad in my opinion.

The Following User Says Thank You to VitaBene For This Useful Post:
Airedale1 (03-26-2010)

03-24-2010, 11:56 AM	#3
dpg Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Posts: 2,597 Thanks: 153 Thanked 229 Times in 166 Posts	I think their opening one like 4 miles down the street from me in Mass. Drove by with the wife a few weeks ago and she commented she had heard of the place and said their supposed to be good. I'll have to check again but I think it was 5 guys. In Natick for anyone familiar with the area.