Crippled By Coronavirus, Waffle House Faces A Harsh Reality: ‘We’ve Never Seen Anything Like This’

he past two weeks have been sobering for Waffle House Chairman Joe Rogers, Jr. The chain of no-frills, 24-hour breakfast spots has remained defiantly open in the face of so many disasters that theHurricane Hugo couldn’t shut the doors for long in Charleston in 1989. The same in Georgia when Irma crashed through two years ago. The index was solid green in Joplin, Mo. after a tornado killed 158 people there in 2011.

It fits the slow-growth strategy he has pursued from the start. Rogers had planned to open around 80 new locations this year, while Burger King, which franchises 99% of all locations, added 1,000 last year.Most of why we are here today is learning what not to do,” said Rogers. “We don't have the most creative restaurant concept you've ever seen. We're just a throwback to a diner.”

When Hugo hit Charleston, Rogers duked it out with a National Guardsman who wanted them to shut down, until he realized it was the only restaurant open in the area that was able to feed 3,000 emergency workers. “When you lose the Waffle House, you're losing the local economy,” he said, noting that quarantine and shelter-in-place measures will leave the restaurant industry, along with the broader economy, in a state of disrepair.

chloesorvino BillyCorben 😬

chloesorvino When the Chairman of Waffle House says “we’ve never seen anything like this”, that really means something. Because that dude has to have seen some crazy stuff.

chloesorvino Nothin like grits to go! Get er done

chloesorvino I imagine this is tough for many people. Waffle House is a unique 24 hour restaurant. It served very well, many people that need late & over-night food and coffee. So Unfortunate.

chloesorvino If I lived where Waffle House was, I’d be ordering takeout and supporting them. Miss that place. Cant wait to travel again! WaffleHouse

chloesorvino There was a time when I desperately wanted to own a restaurant. I made an attempt a few years back and lost my shirt. After that, I decided that restaurants aren't for me. I feel for the restaurant industry right now. Devastation

chloesorvino Here’s the thing... nobody plans on Waffle House. You stumble out of the club and order a pecan waffle plate. This is definitely going to be a rough patch 🤦🏾‍♀️

chloesorvino Unaustainable. Different model has to be used. Isolation of all highly vulnerable categories that should be helped and go on with all the rest.

chloesorvino StayHome

chloesorvino No one has Joe. But we shall pull through, all is vanity though

chloesorvino People are dying and you’re concerned your waffle ain’t selling 😒

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