Olive Garden on Burger King Site?
 

I heard Olive Garden will be taking over the Burger King site?

Plastic Italian food.... :rolleye1: bleech!

Plastic?
 

I am married to an Italian who grew up never tasting food from a can. She thinks it is very good food. I agree. The rasberry lemonade is also excellent.

To each their own. Olive Garden is some of the worst "Italian" food I've ever had.

I like it...
 

I remember I first went to an Olive Garden in Florida in the early 90's, before they were in New England. Not too long after, they started popping up around. I always enjoy my meal there, love those breadsticks and the soup! And, I too, also order the raspberry lemonade... :liplick:
Having said that, I probably wouldn't go to the Olive Garden when I'm up at the Lake, because I look forward to going to all the places I can't go to when home - like Fratello's, Canoe, etc...

I guess they are going to buy the place because it's for sale. Once I seen the for sale sign I figured Burger King would come back and buy the property. I guess we shall see.

Ummmmm
 

SOOOOOO is it me or isn't Olive Garden a step up from Burger King!?!?!?!?:confused:

Last time I checked BK and MCD's are at the bottom of the food chain? So if it is Olive Garden why wouldn't we all consider this a step up and welcome it with open arms as a "fast food" dinner stop with docks? I for one would welcome it big time as an alternative to higher priced dining establishments and put it on the list as an early dinner/late lunch stop that would be 10,000 times better than BK.

:confused::confused::confused::confused::confused:

We like it...
 

I am not exactly a food snob as those who have seen me can probably guess. My family happens to really enjoy the Olive Garden. The only problem we have is the long lines the restaurant draws. Seems a lot of folks like the fare. The restaurant actually has the potential to draw some additional tourist to the area who might not normally visit the end of the bay. Maybe they will visit or return for some of the other businesses in the area. Hey, at least it's not another pharmacy.

bring on the olive garden, this area needs choices like that, always have had great food when eating there.

We also enjoy going to Olive Gardens and look forward to this new one.

Personally I think brk-lnt is being a bit harsh but as it's been said "to each his own." Yes there is better family owned home-cooked italian food out there but there not a bad meal in my opinion. Bring them on......I'd go...

Watch it Hazelnut- you are dissing one Waverunner ridin' chick's favorite restaurants!! McDs

We agree
 

I hadn't been in an Olive Garden for years. Recently, a friend wanted to go to Olive Garden. It was very good, and not at all like food I remembered from years ago. My wife and I went to an Olive Garden on Cape Cod in May and we both thought it was very good.

They had a major "redo" of the menu last summer. It's not the old Olive Garden.

http://foodservice.chef2chef.net/foo...d_new4628.html

Speculation or Confirmation?
 

Is there any confirmation that Olive Garden is coming, or did someone just hear it? I was personally hoping for a 99.

????
 

A NEW RESTAURANT!!! OH BOY!!!!
little bit of sarcasm...
I'm sure Tbones/ Cactus Jacks will be thrilled.

I guess I was surprised by a post here saying "great, we need more choices."
Uummmmm....I really don't think we are short on choices of places to eat and types of food in the lakes region. Maybe I'm wrong. But I think there is a lot of bit of everything!

I think another place that has access directly by boat if they do indeed to use them in a huge plus

choices
 

I really don't think we are short on choices of places to eat and types of food in the lakes region.

When you're talking about choices with access by boat? That list is quite a bit shorter.

I've never eaten at an Olive Garden, but I got gift cards for there last Christmas and wondered when I'd ever remember to bring them if we were heading through Concord for something. Now I can just wait and use them here. Makes me happy:). I can think of worse uses for the property, including it sitting there not selling in this economy.

Personally, I would rather see an independent locally owned restaurant and if it has to be a chain, I would prefer a Ruby Tuesday or a http://www.5anddiner.com/

Just my 2 cents....:liplick:

Olive Garden has improved over time
 

SteveA is right, Olive Garden has actually had a few "redos" over the years. When they first appeared I couldn't stand their red sauces, which tasted like tomato sauce straight from the can, and I'd protest vigorously whenever someone wanted to go there. Now I gladly wait the usual 30 to 45 minutes at the OG in Concord. I wouldn't go there for a special night out (probably "Abondante" in Meredith for that), but The Olive Garden is predictably good italian for a weekend before-the-movie meal. :)

well, sure
 

I think most people would prefer a locally owned place. Considering the cost of the lease drove a BK franchisee away, I can't imagine any local that doesn't have big biz backing wants to handle that kind of cash outlay just to be there.

If we're posting druthers, I'd love a Bennigan's - they have Yuengling on draft:liplick:

My apologies to said waverunner rider chick ;)

I love McD's when I'm drinking especially....it's an issue!
Anyway - I really like the Olive Garden too!

olive garden
 

The North End better watch out the olive garden is an equal to the North End
The both have "fast food " poor example of the wonderfull food from Italy

Maybe it's just been our bad luck, but my wife and I have eaten at 3 different Olive Gardens and really did not enjoy the food, and got somewhat mildly ill from it. Neither of us are finicky or sensitive eaters, but every time I've eaten at OG, my body seems to want to expel the food as quickly as possible. Doesn't do a lot to make me want to go back.

But that is just my own experience.

Interesting post. My last Olive Garden exposure was about 6 years ago, maybe it is worth trying again.

When we travel,I'm always looking for an Outback........as chains go they are one of the best.Food quality,atmosphere and service are always good.

The best Italian food around, in my opinion, can be found at The Rosa in Portsmouth and my second choice is Dominick's in Chichester (right at the Chichester/Pittsfield line).

I saw all the docks pulled out. I hope they have enough mindset to put new and improved ones back in. It's hard enough to get the state to allow more docks in the lake, especially at a restaurant with ALCOHOL!!!
Cactus Jacks should open their eyes and move on over there. I can't tell if I'm going to TBones or Cactus Jacks.
If I were going to dream, I'd choose to have a family friendly bar and grill with out door lake side eating with boat docking and boatside pick up.
Oh yeah...Snowmobile friendly too!

I agree with both of these posts...
I'd definately rather see a locally owned place too, and there are definately better Italian Restaurants out there; but I still love the Olive Garden too - always a good meal.

I drove by there today. That does not look like enough room for an Olive Garden. Most OG are bigger than that BK building and there is no where near enough parking.

Unless there is a very clever way to get more cars in there, I'm guessing no Olive Garden. Why would OG pay the money for a water front building. A dozen boats will not buy enough salad and breadsticks to cover the taxes.

Just a thought about all this chatter about Olive Garden, Burger King, local ownership v/s large franchise. All the tax payers and other local merchants should be just thrilled that these kind of properties are not just staying vacant for long periods of time. We have had a change of owners at the Lobster Pond, Waldo Peppers moved to a vacant location, the old Waldo Peppers is now Boston Seafood and Burger KIng may be Olive Garden. Everyone has a right to choose their own place to eat based on their own preference but it just seems to me that we should give them all a chance and let the market determine their future. Hopefully they will all survive and flourish. It's always better to have something producing jobs, income and paying taxes as opposed to an empty building.

Olive Garden Rumor or Fact?
 

There was a widely circulated rumor over a year ago that Olive Garden would be coming in next to the new Lowe's. It never materialized or perhaps it is still being considered. Don't believe everything you hear is my motto or believe it when you see it.

A friend has also mentioned to me that the size of the BK lot would be too small for an OG. Maybe it would be a scaled down version.

size matters
 

A friend who worked there said BK only owns from the building over to the left..if thats true thats an awful small lot...I'm all for variety but I prefer the smaller local types of businesses

Docks
 

Docks
 

Put the docks back and share the expenses with T-Bones/Cactus Jack. I'd like to see someone like Micheal Buckley put in a great steak house instead of Olive Garden.

Interesting Point
 

I drove by yesterday and did notice that the For Sale sign was still up - for the parking lot to the right. Is this Olive Garden thing really anything more than a rumor? :confused:

Rumor quashed....
 

Yep, it was just another rumor.

Straight from the owner in this morning's CITIZEN, there's been plenty of lookers but no takers over this particular piece of property.

"He said the property is actually in his wife's family"

Smart guy now he knows how to marry!! :eek: :D

As a more recent post quoted Citizen, BK never owned the site. The holder of the franchise leased the site. I seriously doubt that one side of building is different than the other side. I do realize that the city approval processes went though 25+ years ago, but I can not imagine two different owners.

Total rumor. Some have a large imagination!

too pricey
 

I doubt you will see a restaurant in there any time soon given the price of the property- the nut on that with no renovations will be $ 10K/month minimum. I can't imagine carrying that seasonally (pretty much) in this market, docks or not. There is a reason 50 people have looked and none have pulled the trigger!

Some don't believe what they read, but should! The franchisee does own the lot from the left side of the building over. If you look, you will notice the chain link fence he put up to define his portion. That is why it will be a difficult site to lease. After not reaching acceptable terms with the owner of the building who also own the right side of the property he probably won't be in any hurry to rent his side out.

I'll be he is laughing as the building sits empty!

Seen that fence many times!
How on earth would a sane planning department approve plans with such an arrangement? Well maybe there were long term easements back & forth for the parking and such. So, maybe all those lease/contracts/approvals expired, making the site virtually useless for something viable!

Ownership is public records; one could research......

Franchises often spend unbelievable money to build something. Example: the site work for Mcd's in Meredith, which was unbelievable!!!
However, the franchise holder has bunch of McDs to absorb that investment! Simply one big business, of which Meredith site is small portion!

You might be surprised. $10k/month is a drop in the bucket for a big chain. I know of one chain restaurant in Concord that pays at least that much to lease their site. Of course they are pulling in $60k/month at least...

Burger King will not sell
 

My prediction is that this property never sells. There is a disagreement going on amongst the owners. The owners of the land is a group who one of them owns the Burger King restaurant. They tried to increase the rent to what he figured was a unreasonable amount so the land group owners did not think the Burger king partner would pull out. This Burger King owner owns MANY Burger Kings and financially could walk away and not be pressured into a lease that was not reasonable to him. As I mentioned he is part owner of the land and sole owner of the Burger King. He would need to approve the sale. Do you really think that will happen. The owner of the Burger King is contemplating putting a new style Burger King. A proto type. Burger King is testing a upper scale Burger King. One that may serve alcohol. That is what I heard. Is there truth to it. We'll wait and see. I do miss the Burger King. What a killer location. All those docks!!!

BK ! It could still happen
 

In talking with management at BK last year they had purchased the real estate to the left of the building with the intent of building a brand new BK, that of course as long as the group whome owns the building was on board. BK was smart for purchasing their piece because you really can't do much if your a player unless you have both lots. To purchase both lots (that is if BK would part with theirs) would be far to exspensive for what your getting. BK in my opinion won the first round. It would only make sense for both sides to sit down and reach an agreement and maybe we could see BK back in business at that location.

The facts
 

Hello all, I am the owner of T-BONES and Cactus Jack's and I can tell you we looked and discussed at length the possibility of getting the docks at the Burger King site. It's very complicated. The facts are this:

1) The lot is divided at the chain link fence
2) The building is no longer owned by Burger King...they land leased and when they decided to not re-new the lease, the building defaults to the land owner
3) Either lot is FAR TOO SMALL for any chain restaurant or full service restaurant. It would be great for a smaller restaurant, but there is a big battle as to who owns the docks...the docks were permitted some 30 years ago to 'the Burger King Restaurant' but they sit on the smaller lot owner (who was the previous owner of the restaurant) so it's unclear who has the rights to the docks..it'll be a battle for sure.
4) As a matter of financial decisions, I think many people are disullisioned as to the cost to move/build a restaurant. Moving our restaurant to that site would be incredibly cost prohibitive, not to mention we would need to have both owners of the lot 'sell'.

Hope this helps clear it up. From my experience, chain restaurants do not pick markets that are so seasonal like this area is. But there's always a first right?

Thanks to those who have posted kind comments about T-BONES and Cac tus Jack's.

Tom Boucher

Docks
 

I used those docks 3 or 4 times last season, and walked the tracks to Tbones, and noone ever said anything...although I seem to remember a post somewhere about a sign being put up...something about a small charge if you were heading to Tbones/CJs.
There was always very few, if any, boats there. It really was not the ideal situation..the wind at that end of Paugus is constant, and very regular boat traffic keeps the chop going. Combine the wind, chop, and the fact the docks were floating (as opposed to on pilings) and keeping the boat stable was always tricky. The only way to keep from taking a pretty good beating was to tie off on both side..with very little "give" in the lines. These are probably the same reason "Spinnacker" has such a large breakwater.
Anyway, I liked having the option of using them, but can't say I miss them.
Perhaps some type of an association could be formed from businesses on that side of the bay, and they could share the expense of having the docks put back? Just a thought...and maybe it would not be worth the expense to all retail shops there.
Anyway...
Tom...be sure to check your "message in" box.

I agree, as long as they don't put back the SAME docks!! Those floating docks were awful!! I wouldn't tie a canoe to those old floating docks!!



SA, you're right on about it being tricky to keep a boat stable at those docks; tying up to both sides, with spring lines, was the ONLY safe way to tie up to those docks and even then, I was still nervous about the boat taking a beating!

As for what business/restaurant goes into the spot, I really don't care what moves in as long as it's a good restaurant and they install better docks!! We need more dining out options that are reachable by boat! :)

The real story
 

There is no Olive Garden going into the site of the old BK. A friend of mine just won the contract to do the work on the building, he won the bid from a NY firm, G. Ramsey Industries Inc., he isworking with an NY company that is subing the work out. They are building a water side restaurant and lounge, real up-scale from what he is saying.

&^%$ Me
 

When I hear restaurant and G. Ramsey, Gordon Ramsey of "Hell's Kitchen" and "Kitchen Nightmares" comes to mind. If it's him, that will be one colorful place when the man is on the premises...I don't think he can complete a sentence without dropping the F-bomb.

Wikipedia has a long reference for what's probably the same person and it mentions his colorfull speaking style.

Aye mate, not exactly the same lanquage as her royal majesty, Queen Elizabeth, ya know, but he didn't grow up in Buckingham Palace,:D either.

So....
 

So, when is this going to become public information?
And when is construction going to begin?
And lastly, where are the customers going to park their cars?

When??
 

Does anyone have any new information about the construction mentioned in post #49?? If G. Ramsey is not coming in, what about an Olive Garden?

An Olive Garden seems like a better match for that site than the up-scale place mentioned in post #49.

With all that has happened in the US since post 49, the economy might have taken that idea away. Money has been very tight since September.

It would be great to have an update.

R2B

This is 4.5 months later - NO WORK YET.

Do we believe?



I am always amused by all the rumors on this entire forum.
I see very little verification. One could ask Laconia planning board.
Please understand, I have no intent to offend anyone...........

From fast food to water craft...
 

From fast food to watercraft?
Burger King site eyed for yacht club
By GAIL OBER

A local realty trust has submitted a proposal for a condominium-style yacht club to be built on the Union Avenue property formerly occupied by fast-food giant Burger King.

B & P Realty Ventures wants to build 52 boat slips along with a 202-foot gazebo and a 900-square-foot clubhouse on the property at 1218 Union Ave. There are 57 proposed parking spaces.


The full story from today's Citizen: http://www.citizen.com/apps/pbcs.dll...736/-1/CITIZEN

When I drove by today, it did not appear to be anything except an abandoned restaurant. A sign on the fence indicated that it was "available" as was the business next door to the north.

Two Parcels
 

They have divided the parcel in two. The parcel to the left (as viewed from the road) is the one that is being discussed for development of the Boat Club. The parcel to the right is for sale and that includes the current Burger King building. My understanding is that the footprint of the building can not be changed.

Look back in threads. It was always two parcels: one leasing from the other, making BK appear to be one parcel. Leases not extended and possibly family differences are the older reasons. Who knows now.

This forum has so much speculation, it's hard to believe anything!

Property
 

I heard it is under tenative agreement, the new potential owner wants to put an adult club known as Center Folds there. I understand he already has a few of these in MA and RI.

A "Gentleman's" Club with docking.... Now that would make for an interesting twist on the local bachelor parties. Maybe Church Landing could start a shuttle service for the guys on the night before their weddings.:devil:

Is this the place!
 

Definetely a twist!
http://www.centerfoldsboston.com/index.html

Why do they call them a "gentlemen's club" when it's nothing that a real gentleman would do? :confused:;)

Riiiiight
 

And they want to build an under water amusement park out back with dolphins in bikini's :laugh::eek::laugh:

Hmmm
 

A boat club and a strip club...it is nice to see that the area is improving. :D

Wonder whether they will borrow the Burger King slogan. :D

I would have to question the thinking of the planning board if they allow all this to happen.

Jetskier:cool:

You are all kidding, right??

BK,

What ever happened to your Chef Gordon Ramsey inside story regarding this same property?

I really hope that you are wrong with this one!

R2B

Who is Gordon Ramsey? I only know of a Ramsey Industries LLC, that was interested. They still may be but also there are these new interested parties.

#%$# *%...you don't know who Gordon Ramsey is? He's the most profane chef on TV.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gordon_Ramsay

His favorite phrase is $%$# &%.

Any News on this? Anything is better than the developing eyesore...
Someone buy it... Someone do something with it...

Dan

Is that short for McDude???