The coming and going of Varsity grill in BCS

9,108 Views | 42 Replies | Last: 8 mo ago by maroon barchetta
happyinBCS
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Bought land and built building and stayed in business about 8 months there is a price reduction on the property down to 4.9 million
According to a restaurant owner that has been in the business for 30 years to cash flow that would require about 125K a week in sales
EliteElectric
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That would be around 300 plates a day. Every day.
Costa and Andreas
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Honestly I think it's more. 300 plates would be a $59.52 PPA. That place prob reasonably ran a $35 PPA, so 510 plates/day.
EliteElectric
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Costa and Andreas said:

Honestly I think it's more. 300 plates would be a $59.52 PPA. That place prob reasonably ran a $35 PPA, so 510 plates/day.
You would know better than me buddy at any rate it's too steep a hill for most to climb and they should have known better.
happyinBCS
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agree totally and it is my understanding they have a successful restaurant in Brenham, so they clearly had the expertise and were not a person with money wanting to go in the restaurant business in a college town

I hope they can sell it, but I doubt it would be a restaurant again as stated here the numbers don't work
TXCityGirl
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It makes me sad to see families lose their small businesses or restaurants. Mine went through some dark financial times after a small boutique closure decades ago. The bills and debts will haunt you for a very long time.
84AGEC
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AG
It was a typical deal where they put way to much into the building, atmosphere, and the food was so so.

We are there once and were underwhelmed. Give me a dive with great food over ambience and let down.


Costa and Andreas
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I can think of a few concepts that would likely work there, but it's not my place to say. Money wise it would be best to rebrand and operate as another restaurant. Least additional funds required.
happyinBCS
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So, a decent priced lease would be best if the owners can service their current debt on the land and building would be your thoughts?
Costa and Andreas
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A lease or a sale of course. My meaning though is that not engaging in a change of use would be the most economical. Unfortunately the math based on the asking price suggests a rent of $30k/month minimum I would think. Without knowing what they have in it there's no way to tell. The only number available to make an estimation is the asking price.
Aggie@state.gov
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AG
some bank probably gave them a loan so you have to wonder what the bank was thinking
woodiewood1
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The tax appraised value on the property is less than 3 Mill. Sounds to me that the owner's are fishing for a buyer that may pay more than it's worth to try to recoup some of their losses?

Much of the $300,000 in BPP was probably on equipment loans which the lender probably had removed when it closed?

Expensive mistake by the owners....average food, poor service, fair location. They didn't develop a Unique Selling Proposition that would drive customers there rather than to the competition.
84AGEC
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AG
Yep. I was thinking 2.5 was about what it's worth
Rexter
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It'd make a nice upscale Waffle House...
Buford T. Justice
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AG
Agreed. We went once on a Tuesday evening, and went in very optimistic and excited to try it out. We were the only folks in the restaurant, and my wife said, "this place isn't going to make it." I felt bad for the owners. This was back in the spring of '24.

That location seemed bad from the start.
91_Aggie
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AG
I remember when they opened, the prices were high end... at about the $50/per guest.

About 2 months before it closed, wife and I were looking for a place to eat and I looked at menu andprices were more in line with Texas Roadhouse then.

It was fine, but nothing to write home about.

So they made mistake of trying to be a FANCY, expensive restaurant without the ambience and food quality.
Then had to pivot to get people with lower pricing.

But as far as I know, with no marketing at all


-------------------------------------------------------
"91_Aggie is right again." -YankeeAg00
"91a: You are so classy." -abl
"and i find myself agreeing with 91 yet again..." -Gramercy Riffs
trouble
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AG
The only marketing I ever saw was on social media. And so many changes to the menu. It's was constantly changing and updating.
maroon barchetta
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I heard radio ads on The Zone but it was long after they opened by that point.
Burn-It
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AG
We went there several times, got to know the bartenders pretty well. There were a few items I liked and several that I didn't. If I ordered something bad, the bartenders would shake their head telling me no, choose something else. Things started noticeable slowing down the last 3-4 months and we knew it wouldn't last. I feel bad for Sam, our awesome bartender. Apparently no notice went to the staff before shutting things down.
AKA 13-0
JuneBug07
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AG
woodiewood1 said:

The tax appraised value on the property is less than 3 Mill. Sounds to me that the owner's are fishing for a buyer that may pay more than it's worth to try to recoup some of their losses?

Much of the $300,000 in BPP was probably on equipment loans which the lender probably had removed when it closed?

Expensive mistake by the owners....average food, poor service, fair location. They didn't develop a Unique Selling Proposition that would drive customers there rather than to the competition.


Purchasing property above appraisal value is right up COCS' alley. I'm surprised they haven't offered 6 mil yet to prevent the 'wrong' businesses from taking over.
happyinBCS
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do any COCS council members have any thoughts, ? I feel confident they are watching this thread
EliteElectric
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JuneBug07 said:

woodiewood1 said:

The tax appraised value on the property is less than 3 Mill. Sounds to me that the owner's are fishing for a buyer that may pay more than it's worth to try to recoup some of their losses?

Much of the $300,000 in BPP was probably on equipment loans which the lender probably had removed when it closed?

Expensive mistake by the owners....average food, poor service, fair location. They didn't develop a Unique Selling Proposition that would drive customers there rather than to the competition.


Purchasing property above appraisal value is right up COCS' alley. I'm surprised they haven't offered 6 mil yet to prevent the 'wrong' businesses from taking over.


Better act fast before the price drops
Belton Ag
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AG
I went there twice for lunch. First time I had a hamburger and it was entirely forgettable, second time was a shrimp Po Boy. The shrimp was in the fryer a minute too long. Not insanely overcooked, but just enough to get a bit of a rubbery chew.

Both times the service was not good. Indifferent waitstaff is a drag to me. I'd rather have a cranky waitress than one that doesn't give a *****
maroon barchetta
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Belton Ag said:

I went there twice for lunch. First time I had a hamburger and it was entirely forgettable, second time was a shrimp Po Boy. The shrimp was in the fryer a minute too long. Not insanely overcooked, but just enough to get a bit of a rubbery chew.

Both times the service was not good. Indifferent waitstaff is a drag to me. I'd rather have a cranky waitress than one that doesn't give a *****


I can post a clip of one from Hell Or High Water of a cranky waitress, but there is an unwritten forum rule that says we can't post humorous YouTube clips.
EBrazosAg
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AG
That was a great scene. And movie
No material on this site is intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. See full Medical Disclaimer.
91_Aggie
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AG
JuneBug07 said:

woodiewood1 said:

The tax appraised value on the property is less than 3 Mill. Sounds to me that the owner's are fishing for a buyer that may pay more than it's worth to try to recoup some of their losses?

Much of the $300,000 in BPP was probably on equipment loans which the lender probably had removed when it closed?

Expensive mistake by the owners....average food, poor service, fair location. They didn't develop a Unique Selling Proposition that would drive customers there rather than to the competition.


Purchasing property above appraisal value is right up COCS' alley. I'm surprised they haven't offered 6 mil yet to prevent the 'wrong' businesses from taking over.


Owners need to start rumor that some business the city manager would object is looking to buy it so they can get double appraised value.
-------------------------------------------------------
"91_Aggie is right again." -YankeeAg00
"91a: You are so classy." -abl
"and i find myself agreeing with 91 yet again..." -Gramercy Riffs
VAXMaster
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AG
84AGEC said:

It was a typical deal where they put way to much into the building, atmosphere, and the food was so so.

We are there once and were underwhelmed. Give me a dive with great food over ambience and let down.





So much this. Our first trip I left wondering who would put so much into the building and so little effort into food quality. When they struggled they started running radio ads about adding more tvs and such and I knew the end was near. If they had hired even a new grad from culinary school to ensure food quality from the beginning, it would have made all the difference for less investment than those tvs and radio ads.
johnnyblaze36
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AG
I was disappointed to see its failure. The first time I went shortly after it opened was with a large group for a company function.

Got to try a variety of menu items and everyone (15 of us or so) were all pleased with what we got. I really liked the aesthetics as well and had known the bar manager for years from their days at Duddley's who seemed excited about the new opportunity.

Went back 2 or 3 more times and each time the food quality declined for whatever reasons, and every time we'd have a server it seemed like it was their first time ever waiting a table and as if they were under duress in a mostly empty restaurant.

I'd love to see that space turn into something great as I now visit Academy every other day but no way it's happening at that building price tag.

happyinBCS
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PRICE REDUCTION
now 4.4 million

started at 5.6 million
Buford T. Justice
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AG
Hypothetical question: If they had built Varsity Grill next to Chuys, would it have made it?
EBrazosAg
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AG
Good question. I think their runway would have been longer …. Would it have taken flight…??
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doubledog
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Buford T. Justice said:

Hypothetical question: If they had built Varsity Grill next to Chuys, would it have made it?
If Bubbas 33 was not built, just up the road, would it have made it?
maroon barchetta
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doubledog said:

Buford T. Justice said:

Hypothetical question: If they had built Varsity Grill next to Chuys, would it have made it?
If Bubbas 33 was not built, just up the road, would it have made it?


Varsity closed before Bubba's was completed.
84AGEC
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AG
Bubbas is much better
maroon barchetta
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Maybe so. But the two were never in competition so it doesn't matter which is better or when Bubba's open.
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