NEWS: Disney to shut down most ESPN Zones

[jedimaster1227]

http://www.latimes.com/business/la-fi-ct-disney-20100609,0,3920492.story

 

Walt Disney Co. is shutting down most of its ESPN Zone stores, a chain of sports-themed restaurants in seven cities, according to a person familiar with the matter. The only outlets to remain open are those tied to a Disney property, such as the Downtown Disney shopping district in Anaheim.

 

ESPN Zone opened in 1998 to capitalize on ESPN's brand, while bringing Disney's family-friendly atmosphere to the sports bar concept. The upscale eateries serve burgers and brews as walls of big-screen TVs beam baseball and other sporting events into the dining area. Separate gaming rooms, dubbed "Sports Arenas," provide access to interactive games, such as virtual golf and boxing.

 

It's unclear what has prompted Disney to close the establishments, although the bars may well be a casualty of the recession. A poll released in March by AlixPartners found that 30% of consumers planned to eat out less frequently, and spend less per meal than they did the year before.

 

In addition, some of the ESPN Zone restaurants are in high-priced real estate areas, such as Times Square in New York.

 

"Since their inception, the Zones have served sports fans very well," said an ESPN spokesman, who declined to comment further. "But from a pure business perspective, the economics have been challenging."

 

Harry Balzer, chief industry analyst for research firm NPD Group, said the restaurant business was undergoing its biggest decline in three decades.

 

"This year was horrible," Balzer said. "A restaurant meal is a very discretionary behavior. You could always eat at home and save money doing it. And going out for dinner is the most expensive food you could buy."

 

Balzer said casual-dining restaurants like ESPN Zone have been among the hardest hit, as consumers gravitate to less expensive chains such as Chipotle Mexican Grill or Panera Bread, which offer sit-down dining at fast-food prices. ESPN may also have suffered from the problem that afflicted Planet Hollywood, which closed several restaurants — the novelty simply wore off, he said.

 

In addition to Anaheim, Disney operates ESPN Zone restaurants in Baltimore, Chicago, Las Vegas, New York and Washington. The company also licenses the ESPN Zone brand to a restaurant at the L.A. Live shopping and entertainment complex in downtown Los Angeles. It's unclear whether that location will remain open. Disney closed the Atlanta and Denver locations last year.

 

I guess that puts the nail in the coffin for that "ESPN Zone replacing DisneyQuest" rumor...

Edited June 9, 2010 by jedimaster1227

[Josh Linn]

Lame and disappointing news, IMO. I love the ESPNZones...the one in Baltimore is a great place to go to waste time before Orioles games. The one in NYC was a little lacking, but still cool.

[Hercules]

Quite honestly I have absolutely no ill reaction to this. I have been to 3 locations, and I was disappointed with all of them other than the one in New York. I found the Baltimore location to be bland, tightly laid out, and for the most part very unkept. I think this is a pretty good move, and I hope the spaces can be used well by others.

[Josh Linn]

Quite honestly I have absolutely no ill reaction to this. I have been to 3 locations, and I was disappointed with all of them other than the one in New York. I found the Baltimore location to be bland, tightly laid out, and for the most part very unkept. I think this is a pretty good move, and I hope the spaces can be used well by others.

 

The only issue I had with the one in Baltimore is that they used the big basketball "arena" for parties/banquets, so we couldn't use it. The NYC Zone got rid of theirs all together and put some smaller games in its place, huge bummer.

[Sir Clinksalot]

This is actually surprising to me, at least when it comes to the Chicago, LA and NYC locations.

 

When we were in Chicago a couple of years ago, ESPN Zone was PACKED. We didn't eat there, but it was crazy busy when we walked by, and this was in the Afternoon on like a Thursday.

 

Plus, I know they used to do a lot of Pre/Post game shows at the NYC location on ESPN. I don't think they do this much anymore, but I don't get why they wouldn't.

 

And I'm surprised this includes the LA Live location since the new ESPN Studios are RIGHT THERE.

 

Between Lakers, Clippers and Kings games (plus concerts at both Staples and the two Nokia theaters) I can't imagine that location is doing bad. There is pretty much something going on down at LA Live every night.

[Hercules]

And I'm surprised this includes the LA Live location since the new ESPN Studios are RIGHT THERE.

 

Between Lakers, Clippers and Kings games (plus concerts at both Staples and the two Nokia theaters) I can't imagine that location is doing bad. There is pretty much something going on down at LA Live every night.

 

I think that is probably the only location that is surprising to me. I guess they have their reasons though.

[WFChris]

^ & ^^, the article said it was unclear if the LA location is included.

[JEAPUgrad]

Lame and disappointing news, IMO. I love the ESPNZones...the one in Baltimore is a great place to go to waste time before Orioles games. The one in NYC was a little lacking, but still cool.

 

Once you are of legal drinking age, you will find that there are far better places for pre/post game (ie. Pickles) than ESPNZone.

[Hercules]

^ & ^^, the article said it was unclear if the LA location is included.

 

Correct. However, if it is even being considered it would surprise me.

[Sir Clinksalot]

^ Agreed.

 

The few times I've been down there the wait has been over an hour. And once it was even when there was no game or concert at the bigger Nokia theater. I was going to see Porcupine Tree at the smaller venue.

[thrillrider]

I have been to the one by Disneyland and thought it was just meh at best.

[G$ Kurt]

Very sad indeed. I was just in Vegas last weekend and planned to go to the ESPN Zone at New York New York but went somewhere else instead... looks like I should have gone.

[SharkTums]

Even the locations AT the parks have been terrible in my past experiences.

 

I'd rather get rid of them if they can get some money out of it and build something better elsewhere!

[Meteornotes]

I like sports, and ESPN is usually on my TV, but these places were, um, not good. Half assed food and even worse service. It's like Chili's with more TVs and slightly better food.

 

I'd honestly like to see the ones at the parks replaced with something better.

 

dt