Restaurants Served More Meals in 2002
By JENNIFER BELLANTONIO
The 15 busiest restaurants in Orange County saw a 7% gain in meals served last year, according to Business Journal’s list.
The top restaurants here served 7.3 million meals last year.
The list, which ranks individual eateries as well as some chains with only a few locations here, includes four estimates for restaurants that declined to provide figures.
Entertainment, discounts and other promotions helped restaurants grow despite the sluggish economy.
“We’ve been very aggressive with gift certificates and coupons,” said Edwin Pino, general manager of McCormick & Schmick’s Seafood in Irvine, which slipped two slots to No. 7 with 350,000 meals served last year.
The seafood and steak restaurant recently struck a deal with Alaska Air Group Inc., operator of Alaska Airlines, to offer passengers flying into John Wayne Airport $20 off.
“I’m 150% satisfied with the response,” Pino said.
Restaurateurs say they are optimistic about business this year. But there’s uncertainty.
One reason: higher gas prices, which may ding spending and raise operating costs for restaurants.
“We haven’t seen gas prices affect us yet but I’m anticipating they will,” said Lou Jimenez, assistant general manager at No. 11 Joe’s Crab Shack in Newport Beach.
Restaurants of Calabasas Hills-based The Cheesecake Factory Inc. held the top three slots on the list.
For the eighth straight year, The Cheesecake Factory in Newport Beach led the list, with 1.2 million meals served, a 20% gain from 2001.
The restaurant upped its staff 31% to 222 people.
Four restaurants posted double-digit gains in meals served.
No. 13 Yard House in Irvine, which had its first full year in business, showed the largest percentage gain,76% to 234,000 meals served.
Two restaurants posted single-digit increases in meals served: Las Brisas in Laguna Beach, which fell three slots to No. 10, and Joe’s Crab Shack in Newport Beach, which also slipped three spots, to No. 11.
Three restaurants,McCormick & Schmick’s, No. 12 Il Fornaio in Irvine and No. 14 Back Bay Rowing & Running Club Restaurant,reported no change in meals served.
Costa Mesa’s The Clubhouse fell off the list with an 8% loss in meals served to 155,069.
The restaurant underwent some changes after parent Chicago-based The Clubhouse Where You Belong LLC filed for bankruptcy protection in 2001.
