If there's one thing EVERYONE knows about, it's bars/restaurants and food service. Just ask anyone and they'll tell you. Just read this forum and you have experts. Not a knock, just a common subject but very opinionated. Something everyone feels like they're an authority on.
Most of the country places have changed hands many times. And remember - just because a place closed or changed hands doesn't mean it wasn't successful. Many times it's the toll on the owners or retirement that are part of the reason to move on.
My belief has been for a while that it's two pronged - a lot more competition with chains and much more activity in town and California area. If nothing is happening, drive a half mile from Green Turtle to Red Robin to BDubs or whatever, or from Pub to Rex to Grill. Young people are needed for a bar survival, and these days gas and travel means nothing. There's no local commitment on a big enough level because they're going where the crowd is. Many of the successful places have managed to get a cross-generational crowd. There's less and less of that at the off the path old time places.
Just my .02.
