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The Rise And Fall Of The American Diner

Rising costs are taking a toll on many classic eateries.

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Although few things are more quintessentially American than a diner, that doesn’t make this hectic business any easier for many overwhelmed operators. This long video examines the history of diners in the U.S. while focusing on a pair of New Jersey eateries: the colossal Tops Diner and the modest Summit Diner. These two restaurants take different approaches when faced with common problems like rising costs, changing tastes, and increased competition.

Questions:

  1. What kinds of challenges are American diners facing today? How are both Tops and Summit diners dealing with these challenges?

  2. How did the rise of fast food affect the American diner business?