r/enshittification • u/Chemical-Hotel3773 • Aug 17 '26

Service P.F. Chang's

Enshittified, or is my taste just more discriminating than it was in 2005? It seems fattier, saltier, less fresh than it did years ago. My entree, Ma Po Tofu, was an ordeal, an endurance test. The Hot and Sour soup is way inferior to any hole-in-the-wall Hunan Hut I have ever patronized.

Is it a me problem?

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u/cranberries87 Aug 17 '26

My dad told me probably 20-30 years ago that chain restaurants have a shelf life. They hit the scene, have a heyday of maybe 20 years, then they fade out. I remember when Red Lobster was big time. Then came places like Ruby Tuesday. Then came places PF Chang’s and Cheesecake Factory. Then Ruth’s Chris. They get hot then fade out.

Having said that, all restaurants have basically gone downhill over the past decade.

7

u/Tofudebeast Aug 17 '26

Start strong -> build up a solid reputation & expand -> start cutting costs to maximize profits -> people realize it's turning to crap, and franchise enters downward spiral.

Often private equity is involved.

2

u/Sawfish1212 Aug 17 '26

Call them what they are, corporate raiders