Future of Cheeseburger in Paradise in Doubt

[chippewa]

The one in Lansing, MI was packed the first summer they opened (last year). Went there about a month ago, it was really dead at 10:00 on a Saturday night, no band, just a solo guitar player.

Hope they don't close, but if they do I want their frozen drink recipes.

[RinglingRingling]

I've been to 4 CIP's (3 in IL and 1 in WI) numerous times... more drankin' than eatin', but always satisfied with what I'm served!

Being that I'm normally there for the live entertainment though, my only complaint has always been that the stage is too small and the dance floor non-existent. However, we've always made due, dancing around tables, on chairs, or on top of booths!

Rather than appease that problem, I believe CIP geared away from the entertainment, foregoing bands except for Full Moon Parties, and booking soloists. From what I heard, that didn't exactly pan out, no pun intended!

If they go, I'll miss them.

And I gotta add, the Bahama Breeze in Schaumburg IL is pretty cool too!

Bahama Breeze is a nice place to eat, at least the one on the north side of Orlando was.

Having been to 5 CBiPs (both of the Indy, both of the CMH, and the one in Cinci), I have to say that the food is generally-good; the dance floor/stage a bit too small, and service can really run the range. Tho, I keep going back, so it can't be that bad.

[spendingmoney]

Well, as an OSI stock holder, we to be "makin' money", and whatever it takes, we should do it. Personally I thought they were putting in too many locations too fast.

You aren't a stock holder any more....at least not after tomorrow.

Yup....

Looks like you'll be a stockholder for at least one more week...

CHICAGO, May 8 (Reuters) - OSI Restaurant Partners Inc. (OSI.N: Quote, Profile , Research), parent of Outback Steakhouse and other restaurant chains, on Tuesday postponed a shareholder vote on a plan to take the company private so that more votes could be solicited.

OSI, which had planned to hold a special meeting on Tuesday, said that the meeting would now take place on May 15.

OSI in November said it planned to go private in a $3.04 billion buyout that includes its founders and private equity firms Bain Capital Partners and Catterton Partners. The board has recommended a vote in favor of the deal. (With reporting by Nichola Groom in Los Angeles)

[johnson2113]

All they have to do is open up for LUNCH! They sit around here closed til 4.

[Dezdmona]

Only been to one, loved the food, drinks service, etc...
But the location is terrible... a real pain to get to.
We had to drive miles off the Interstate and it was difficult to find.

Don't have a problem with them being in the suburbs, but they should be close to the highways, so folks "passing through" should be able to find them.

Even Joe's Crab Shack, Razoo's etc... (which locate in the suburbs), know that.

[blank1127]

Wow, if this comes to pass, Indy will be taking a big hit. We lost Bahama Breeze a couple weeks ago, they announced the other day that they will be closing all the Smokey Bones restaurants in the state, and now this. I hope they don't close, but if they do, best believe I'll be going to that auction. I want one of those tables!

[moog]

The one in Iselin NJ (Woodbridge) is across from a indooor mall, close to a bigger indoor mall, located on Route 1 southbound, next to a Fridays, Red Lobster, movie theater, a Sheraton, 12 miles from Newark Airport easy to get to from Rutgers...in other words it may do good. There are exceptions but I believe once a business becomes a chain it kind of loses it's orginal touch. Too many hands.

Not sure about the Bonefish Grill attached to it.

[Landshark Girl]

I've been to the CIP's in Canton, Columbus, and Cincinnati...have liked it every time I've gone.I've always wished they would build one in Cleveland. Went there for my birthday last year and had a blast. Their drinks are great and their food is really good, too. I'll be sad if they go out of business because I really enjoy going there.

I also enjoy Bahama Breeze.

[surfpirate]

I can live with it. I've only been to one, the CIP in Pasadena, MD, and that one only once. It was fine enough but unremarkable.

Now if this was the same rumor about HOOTERS, that would be another story. There is nothing sadder than the thought of downsized HOOTERS. May they always continue to expand.

[RinglingRingling]

I can live with it. I've only been to one, the CIP in Pasadena, MD, and that one only once. It was fine enough but unremarkable.

Now if this was the same rumor about HOOTERS, that would be another story. There is nothing sadder than the thought of downsized HOOTERS. May they always continue to expand.

I would prefer the term "may their future remain buoyant".. expanding can also mean heading south..

[barefootin']

I really hope that all of the CiP restaurants don't bite the big one. I have been to 2 (Myrtle Beach and Charlottesville). The first experience @ MB was the best (maybe the newness wore off after the first time - plus we had a great musical entertainer playing during that visit - HB Beverly- and we all had a lot of fun). The atmosohere was much better in MB than Charlottesville. Also have to agree with the problem that some are not open for lunch. Seems like a no-brainer, there!

The food was really pretty good, and the fish sandwich has kept me going back for more. As mentioned by others, the frozen drinks are excellent even though I prefer a 'rita on the rocks.

Yeah, I'd love to snag one of those tables, too!

[f2cdlzrd]

Uh-oh. We just moved our Parrothead Club meetings to the CIP here in Asheville, NC. As newly-elected president, I hope we don't have to start shopping for a new place to meet; it took us long enought to find this one. Say it ain't so.....

[Rocher]

The CIP in Huntersville NC, has just open in Jan of 07, The Owner is bending over backwards to make this place work. As anyone knows it does take alot of work to weed out the employees that dont care in which will drag you down. He really is just about there and is working on the customer service in which is great at the bar.

I am a local and hang out there often so I myself see the changes going on and think it is really making a difference.

Keep it up Don!

[captainpea]

...to get a feel of what it's like - (lotsa overhead)!
www.cheeseburgerinparadise.com

[Big Jimmy]

The one in Downers Grove is almost always packed. Heck even at 9pm on a weeknight its hard to get a table and even find a chair at the bar.


Hopefully that one will stay open since the interstate its near is finally be extended near me, and will probably only take me 30 mins instead of an hour to get there.

[Pierre A. Tedd]

The rumor of closure of this chain is highly speculative. Even if Outback were to decide that the CIP chain was unprofitable to them and if they were unwilling to go the long run, again, theoretically speaking...i'm sure there will be a LONG LINE of investors willing to talk with them about buying the CIP division. Someone is going to run this chain. It's not going anywhere! This is a young chain with a long future ahead. Outback will spin it off before they board up.

[ToplessRideFL]

Maybe M-ville will buy it back

[freaky4tiki]

I love love love our CIP in Charlottesville and even though the band said they didn't know any JB tunes, they sang BEG

Ours is open for lunch and is really easy to get to. As far as fun factor goes, it's one of the better places in C'ville.

[PalmTreeGal]

First off, this post makes me really sad. For one, I loved the Bahama Breeze in Indy and was looking forward to going back. Myself, Quiet and Shy, Coolblueswing and another friend of mine had a great night there last summer. I will truly miss that restaurant.

Secondly, we LOVE CIP! We love to go see Johnny there when we can, and we love to take our families there as well. Our kids love it. I've never had a bad experience at one. I've been to 5 different ones (Des Plaines, Downers Grove, Algonquin, North side and South Side Indy) and have always had great food and great service every time. I will truly be sad if this happens. I hope it doesn't. Please keep us posted CaptP if you hear anything.

[PeretHed66]

Been to a few, story was the same at each one....

Food was mediocre to OK, service was abysmal at best.

Not really a big surprise that they're in trouble......