Mass. retail group sees surge in members going out of business

[GreatGazoo]

1. there is a squeeze on restaurants nationwide

mostly mid-priced restaurants are falling out. The middle class is increasingly squeezed by healthcare, retirement, housing and debt service costs. Wealth is being extracted from the customers of mid priced restaurants so they don't go out to eat as often or at all.

Fast casual is doing well relative to other segments but it is dominated by chains, not mom-pop operators. Also many supermarkets are now marketing food to go so. Whole Foods gets credit for this trend -- people buy groceries on the way home from work and they can also pick up ready to eat foods at the same time or dine in at mini food courts.