Latest news with #See'sCandies
Miami Herald
2 days ago
- Business
- Miami Herald
Popular Mexican chain closing another restaurant, no bankruptcy
If you're up for a challenge and triathlons, sailing across the ocean, or learning Icelandic don't appeal, consider opening a restaurant. Upstarting and running a restaurant are two of the hardest things a business owner can do. Related: See's Candies local rival unexpectedly closing after 50 years Unfortunately, you can't do one without the other. That's because both of these require a lot of cash, time, and resources. It's not exactly the kind of thing you can just run in the background and let things take care of themselves -- no matter what franchise owners might tell you. Consider everything starting a restaurant from scratch requires. First, you must invest in a physical location. That place better be somewhere popular -- or at the very least, accessible -- to attract as many customers as possible. Then you've got to renovate, buy all the necessary equipment, find and hire labor (which is highly seasonal and vulnerable to attrition), and purchase food and drinks. The food and drinks must be purchased and repurchased, and are often thrown out due to perishability. And utilities, like the cost of fuel or electricity, are often costlier than average since restaurants must be humming on a near-constant basis to keep food from spoiling. None of this is even remotely easy, and there's a reason one in two restaurants fail within their first five years of business. Even if you beat the odds and somehow become a popular dining destination, there are still plenty of pitfalls to be aware of. Just a few bad online reviews, failed inspections, changes in customer tastes, or even construction nearby can severely hinder business. More closings: Popular Mexican chain closing all restaurants, no bankruptcyIconic mall chain shuttering more stores foreverMajor gym closing multiple locations after franchisee bankruptcyAfter Chapter 11 bankruptcy, beloved retailer closes all stores Take, for instance, Oscar's Taco House in San Antonio, Tex. The famous puffy taco shop had been in business for six decades, but when the city began to draft plans to construct a new railroad overpass nearby, it forced the restaurant to close. Plus, customer tastes are increasingly fickle. What might have been popular a few years ago can change overnight. Ask all the Italian restaurants, who specialize in pastas, pizzas and breads, how they're faring given the recent rise in gluten-free dining. There's really no telling if -- or when -- something catastrophic might happen to even a popular restaurant. Mexican chains, which require a lot of variety and fresh ingredients to please their customers -- tend to be particularly vulnerable to rising costs or changes in taste. Related: Popular bankrupt retail chain prepares to close all 96 stores And now, Adobe Gila's, a Mexican restaurant located in Columbus, Ohio, is closing down after nearly three decades in business. The popular restaurant was known for its family-friendly environment, huge, 64 ounce margaritas, and sizzling hot plates including fajitas and tacos. But now, Adobe Gila's has quietly closed its doors at the Easton Town Center location and deleted its social media accounts. The restaurant did not give any reason for its closure, only stating, "Adobe Gila's recently closed. We do not have any further updates at this time." It has also closed locations in Dayton, Ohio and Orlando Fla. in the past. Adobe Gila's now only has one remaining location in Rosemont, Ill., located just outside Chicago O'Hare International Airport. Related: Popular local Trader Joe's rival suddenly closing after 40 years The Arena Media Brands, LLC THESTREET is a registered trademark of TheStreet, Inc.
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Warren Buffett Has Discovered There's No Accounting For Tastes Through Berkshire's Candy Company: 'There Are All Kinds Of Crazy Things In The World That Consumers Do'
At Berkshire Hathaway's (NYSE:BRK) (NYSE:BRK) 2023 annual meeting, CEO Warren Buffett shared a rare insight into why See's Candies, a beloved West Coast confectioner owned by the conglomerate since 1972, hasn't expanded successfully beyond its core markets. What Happened: "We have this wonderful brand that doesn't travel," Buffett said. "The mystique, the actual product, the feelings people have about some things... it's limited to given markets." Despite See's strong economy in California and the western U.S., attempts to replicate that success elsewhere repeatedly fell short. "We tried everything in the world to move the brand... and we always think we were right for the first week," Buffett said. "Then we find out that the magic—we can beat any other candy store pretty much—but there aren't any candy stores anymore to speak of, as the world has changed." Trending: Maker of the $60,000 foldable home has 3 factory buildings, 600+ houses built, and big plans to solve housing — Buffett compared See's regional success to Dr Pepper's dominance in certain markets like Dallas–Fort Worth, noting that even national advertising and widespread awareness can't override local preferences. "There are all kinds of crazy things in the world that consumers do," he added, pointing out that East Coast customers prefer dark chocolate, while West Coast buyers gravitate toward milk chocolate. Why It's Important: See's Candies began in 1921 when Charles See and his family opened their first shop in Los Angeles, offering chocolates based on his mother Mary See's original recipes. The company quickly earned a reputation for quality and freshness, building a loyal customer base across California. A major turning point came in 1972 when Buffett and Charlie Munger's Berkshire Hathaway acquired See's for $25 million. What began as a modest operation with $30 million in annual revenue and under $5 million in pretax income grew into a confectionery powerhouse, generating over $380 million in annual sales and $80 million in profits, reported Markets Insider in 2019. Buffett's admiration for See's is also no secret. During shareholder meetings, he famously keeps a box of See's peanut brittle close by. Read Next: Hasbro, MGM, and Skechers trust this AI marketing firm — Invest before it's too late. Deloitte's fastest-growing software company partners with Amazon, Walmart & Target – Many are rushing to grab 4,000 of its pre-IPO shares for just $0.30/share! Photo Courtesy: Photo Agency on Send To MSN: Send to MSN UNLOCKED: 5 NEW TRADES EVERY WEEK. Click now to get top trade ideas daily, plus unlimited access to cutting-edge tools and strategies to gain an edge in the markets. Get the latest stock analysis from Benzinga? This article Warren Buffett Has Discovered There's No Accounting For Tastes Through Berkshire's Candy Company: 'There Are All Kinds Of Crazy Things In The World That Consumers Do' originally appeared on Error while retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error while retrieving data Error while retrieving data Error while retrieving data Error while retrieving data
AU Financial Review
20-05-2025
- Business
- AU Financial Review
Barrenjoey's burrito orders are coming from inside the house
Warren Buffett bought See's Candies. Donald Trump has his Diet Coke button. Matthew Grounds has his … burrito bowls? Grounds' Barrenjoey has been wrapping itself around Mexican fast food retailer Guzman y Gomez with great relish for years.
Yahoo
12-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
After 3 Decades, California Lost A Treasured Candy Store This Week
As of Sunday, California has become a little less sweet. A Golden State outpost of See's Candies -- the beloved brand of boxed chocolates -- shuttered on Mother's Day, limiting options for sweet treats in the San Francisco Bay Area. Specifically, the now-closed See's Candies was located at 1238 West El Camino Real in Sunnyvale, California. The retailer opened at that location in 1994, establishing itself fairly early-on as a Sunnyvale mainstay within a larger strip mall. While the brand has yet to comment on the closure, a See's Candies employee cited a "business decision," per the San Francisco Chronicle. Granted, chocolate brands range from L.A. Burdick Chocolates to Ferrero, with plenty of options available both online and at in-person shops. See's Candies, however, has been a Sunnyvale staple for roughly three decades, and its closure will be felt by the local community. It's currently unclear as to what business will come to occupy the chocolatier's storefront. Of course, that's not to say all hope is lost for loyal See's Candies patrons in the neighborhood. Fortunately, plenty of the brand's retailers remain across the state of California. Their presence provides more than few options for in-person chocolate samples and last-minute gifts alike. Read more: The Popular Candy Bar That Isn't Remotely Overrated See's Candies started in California circa 1921, so it shouldn't come as a surprise that the brand has retained a hold all throughout the Golden State, its shuttered Sunnyvale location notwithstanding. According to the chocolatier's website, See's Candies has a particularly strong presence in Los Angeles, which reflects its origins; the brand's first-ever shop opened in the heart of LA at 135 Western Avenue North. Now, roughly 100 years later, dozens of See's Candies shops abound within the Los Angeles area, while dozens more options span the entire state. Per the company's brand locator, the closest, still-open See's Candies to Sunnyvale is in Santa Clara, which sits just a few miles away. Not to mention, there are plenty of See's Candies options all across the country, increasing access to all things chocolate. For those still disappointed by the Sunnyvale closure, however, you can always order your chocolates online. The brand even launched a Lollypalooza lineup of lollipops, so you can easily shop for your favorite candies, no matter where you're located. Of course, nothing beats an in-person chocolate experience, where you can taste chocolate like a true connoisseur. For that, Sunnyvale is, indeed, short one option. Read the original article on Tasting Table.
Yahoo
10-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
See's Candies Closing Major Store Sunday After Three Decades
Longstanding nationwide candy chain See's Candies is shutting down one of its popular California locations after three decades. See's Candies, which opened its first store in Los Angeles more than 100 years ago, is closing its Sunnyvale, California outpost on Sunday, the Mercury News first reported. The store was quite established in the area, with one customer telling the Mercury News it was "like losing an old friend." "The See's Candies chocolate shop in Sunnyvale, CA sells our American-made delicious candies and chocolates," says the official See's Candies website. "It is the same shop you know and love - also specializing in bulk sales and fundraising. The best chocolate and candy in Sunnyvale can be found at See's Candies where you always get a free sample and friendly customer service." This particular See's Candies outlet was "a Volume Savings shop" specializing in bulk orders and gifts. "We also have staff on site to help you plan your next fundraiser or establish a group discount for your group or organization," the website says. "We, of course, also have the delicious candies that we are famous for, like our boxed chocolates, truffles, nuts and chews, lollipops, and sugar free candy." See's Candies, which was founded over a century ago by businessman Charles Alexander See and is headquartered in South San Francisco these days, still has hundreds of storefronts throughout California and other locations throughout the United States. Several outlets reached out to the official See's Candies corporation for comment on the closing of the Sunnyvale location, but it does not appear the company provided any comment. For residents of Sunnyvale and neighboring communities, the closest See's storefront is now in Santa Clara. Overall, several stores remain open throughout the South Bay area.
