Silver Diner Revenue and Competitors

I'm often asked "What gave you the idea to bring back the old time diner?" The answer is simple. I grew up going to diners and they've always occupied a special place in my heart. I think of a diner as a neighborhood gathering place where there's something for everyone at any time of the day or night. There is something special about a diner from nostalgic tabletop jukeboxes to comfortable booths to the friendly people. So when my partner, Ype Von Hengst, and I wanted to start an American family cuisine restaurant that bridges the gap between tablecloth restaurants and fast food, the old-time diner was the perfect answer. We went on the road and spent a year visiting over 500 diner style restaurants in big and small towns across America seeking to understand the timeless appeal of this American icon. What has made diners so successful for over 100 years? Of course, diners are known for their unique roadside architecture and generous helpings of home-style food, but the heart of what brings customers back to the diner again and again is the people. It's the folks who serve you and make you feel welcome that makes a diner feel like a home away from home.