> In Europe, apart from TGI Fridays, they were never a thing. And they were seen as just simply fast food. The discussion and the article is US specific, but a

> In Europe, apart from TGI Fridays, they were never a thing. And they were seen as just simply fast food. The discussion and the article is US specific, but as general point 'Europe' is a big generalization akin to 'Africa' or 'Asia'. These places are too heterogenous for blanket statements. As a point of anecdata between around the 1960's and early 2000's in most mediterranean countries, middle class would indeed sit down for lunch in nearby restaurants for an affordable lunch. Many of these places would serves as cafes during the day and affordable bistro at lunch. Most either ramped up prices or went bust. It is either grab a coffee and go or white cloth restaurant prices. The middle ground business model has indeed vanished or really downgraded their offering, in most countries around the mediterranean.