West Ames Wendy's

[somecyguy]

I live in Johnston directly across the street from one. Its always packed during the summertime pm's. 5 deep at drive thru and people parked everywhere. Lots of teenagers. This time of year it really slows down. I think they would benefit from a revamped food menu. They dont really offer much besides hot dogs and really really thin burgers. I think they would struggle in West Ames. I could see a hardees or subway going in and making it. I worked at the two Culvers all through high school and got to know the owners well. Flat out told me theres two key things it takes to make great $ in the fat food market, have multiple locations and have a great location and until the Westdale mall area took a dump they had two terrific locations for their stores.

A few years ago, 2 Sonics were built in CR. One on the north side and one on the SW side. Both in super high traffic areas. The owner closed them both down about 3 years later. There is no way they were lacking customers, so there must be something about the way the franchise is run.

 

[dahliaclone]

I lived close to neither and would have gone to West Ames first. If I lived 2 blocks from Duff I would have gone to West Ames first.

congratulations?

 

[Cpech56]

A few years ago, 2 Sonics were built in CR. One on the north side and one on the SW side. Both in super high traffic areas. The owner closed them both down about 3 years later. There is no way they were lacking customers, so there must be something about the way the franchise is run.

Where were that at?

 

[Clonedogg]

Where were that at?

33rd ave and Blaris Ferry Rd by Wal-Mart. The owner also owned two more one in Waterloo and one in I.C. closed them all, stated that rising prices in food and the competition for cheap fast food, $1 menus and such, made the margins terrible.

 

[fwiw]

Nothing about Duff is easy access. Nothing. That is the worst road in Iowa.

Dunno ... The stretch of Collins Rd. in CR from 1st Ave to KGAN is right up there as worst planned road in Iowa. Not near enough capacity, too many driveways. Pretty much a slow moving parking lot overall.

 

[cyclone87]

There are actually plans to try and improve the safety and access on Duff from squaw creek to south duff, but a couple of the business owners are still against it. It involves a new intersection located south of the current walmart entrance and in front of a new development where the quality motors/happy joe's used to be along with a median that would mean consolidated access for multiple business. Hopefully they can come together on a solution because something needs to be done. Southwest Ames near West town would be a good location for a new fast food drive-thru imo.

 

[ianoconnor]

What happened to West Cyde Wings (or however it was spelled)?

 

[CyFan61]

A few years ago, 2 Sonics were built in CR. One on the north side and one on the SW side. Both in super high traffic areas. The owner closed them both down about 3 years later. There is no way they were lacking customers, so there must be something about the way the franchise is run.

I heard something about this from a guy that did business with the C.R. Sonic franchise owner. Apparently business really struggled over the cold weather months as people didn't want to eat in their cars. I heard that the franchise owner contacted Sonic corporate and asked if he could build a dine-in lobby in C.R. and they refused the request. He was only profitable from like April-September so he decided to shut it down.

The Sonic concept does make a lot more sense in southern climates, but that information surprised me when I first heard it.

 

[theshadow]

What happened to West Cyde Wings (or however it was spelled)?

How/Why is West Cyde Wings closed on a basketball game night?

 

[Naughtius]

The West Ames dining scene has never recovered from when they closed the Shakey's and Mr. Steak. Another nail in the coffin.

 

[somecyguy]

I heard something about this from a guy that did business with the C.R. Sonic franchise owner. Apparently business really struggled over the cold weather months as people didn't want to eat in their cars. I heard that the franchise owner contacted Sonic corporate and asked if he could build a dine-in lobby in C.R. and they refused the request. He was only profitable from like April-September so he decided to shut it down.

The Sonic concept does make a lot more sense in southern climates, but that information surprised me when I first heard it.

I suppose that's possible, but they had a drive-thru.

 

[Gorm]

A few years ago, 2 Sonics were built in CR. One on the north side and one on the SW side. Both in super high traffic areas. The owner closed them both down about 3 years later. There is no way they were lacking customers, so there must be something about the way the franchise is run.

Whats more surprising, is that that whole Sonic franchise in CR and Iowa City was run by the same people who had run Handimart for like 30 years prior.