Goodbye Diners, Hello Avocado Bars

These days it’s hard to tell whether the restaurant industry is struggling or thriving. 

Diners with their breakfast-all-day, multi-page menus are closing — but niche restaurants like avocado bars and cat cafés are opening.

According to the NYC Department of Health there are 26,129 open restaurant permits as of June 28 this year, a steady increase since 2007. With so many dining establishments in this city and others, it’s hard to not wonder: Why do some survive and others don’t? Who benefits from this world of revolving dining trends? 

This week on Money Talking, Charlie Herman talks with Derek Thompson, a senior editor at the Atlantic, who wrote about why it’s the best of times, and the worst of times, for the restaurant industry.

Every time a restaurant closes, another one opens. Or so it might seem. So, is the industry thriving or struggling?