So Where's The Money In Restaurants?

[Arnie Guida]

I've been frequenting two local family owned restaurants for years...and I can't see how they stay open. 

These are both inexpensive restaurants. They have their peak times, but I'd say 90% of the time they're less than half full. I can't see how they can stay open. They're both on a main drag in town, very nice locations...the property tax bill alone has to be huge...

One owner I've gotten to know, and the family is big into other types of REI, so this is just a write off, they just enjoy the biz?

One common thing for both restaurants is that neither owners were born in America, does that have something to do with it?

I don't know, both are high vis, very clean, well kept, big places on a main drag on town. 

As I've said, the food is very inexpensive. 

I don't get it.