Restaurant operators are facing a challenging operating backdrop marked by uneven consumer spending, elevated labor and food costs and the continued need to refresh concepts to maintain traffic. In this environment, Ark Restaurants Corp. (ARKR) and Flanigan’s Enterprises, Inc. (BDL) represent two niche players within the restaurants-and-bars industry, each pursuing a distinct operating strategy. ARKR operates a collection of destination-oriented restaurants, bars and food concepts concentrated in high-traff ...

Restaurant operators are navigating a mixed consumer spending backdrop, higher labor and input costs and the ongoing need to refresh concepts to sustain traffic. In this environment, Ark Restaurants Corp. (ARKR) and Flanigan’s Enterprises, Inc. (BDL) stand out as two niche players with distinct operating models. ARKR runs a portfolio of destination, high-traffic restaurants and food concepts across major tourist and urban markets, while BDL operates and franchises a long-established Florida-focused casual d ...