PAT O’BRIEN’S: Year-old Destin Franchise Closes

Just after celebrating its one-year anniversary, the Pat O’Brien’s franchise in Destin, Fla., has closed for good.

According to a story in New Orleans City Business, the Pat O’Brien’s franchise in Memphis closed just a year earlier. 

Shelly Waguespack, vice president of the New Orleans-based bar and restaurant concept, was quoted as saying that Pat O’Brien’s three other franchises in San Antonio; Cancun, Mexico; and Orlando, Fla., “all remain stable.”

According to the NOCB:  “The Destin franchise opened in October 2008, Waguespack said, just as the national recession began to escalate. Additionally, the franchise owner had difficulty securing a permanent partner, which contributed to its opening being delayed by several months, Waguespack said.

“In Memphis, the principal franchise owner died, and there were problems with the estate.

“The Destin franchise was part of a new development overlooking the Destin harbor that Waguespack said is an ideal location, with other New Orleans-themed concepts such as Commander’s Palace nearby.

“But there are no plans to reopen in Destin, chiefly because Pat O’Brien’s does not aggressively pursue new openings. “

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