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Major Restaurant Chains Leave Bad Taste In Mouths Of Family-Owned Restaurants

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FAYETTEVILLE — Big chain restaurants hit the spot with most diners. However, they are leaving a bad taste in the mouths of some of the smaller family operations.

Luigi's Restaurant has a long history in Fayetteville. Founded by Peter Paris, the restaurant dates all the way back to the 1950s. But times have changed and so has competition. The changes have locally owned restaurants like Luigi's serving up a healthy portion of hometown service.

"In general, I think people are looking for that, even more than they used to in the past," says co-owner Nick Parrous.

Riding down McPherson Church Road also known as Restaurant Row, you may see several local restaurants have closed including what used to be the Squires Club and the Huggmuggers Grill, making way for larger, more popular restaurant chains.

"It's really a big challenge for smaller businesses," says Ken Smith of the Fayetteville Chamber of Commerce. "They simply don't have the deep pockets that larger corporations and franchises have."

Rhonda Pullis and her family loves the hometown service at Luigi's. She says it really makes a difference.

"That's why you get treated so well because it's a family," Pullis says.

The owners of the Squires Club say they have another business in Southern Pines. She says business is doing very well.

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