Deal-hungry customers hurting restaurants nationwide

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Today’s business section has a front-page feature on the new breed of penny-pinching diners (most of us, that is) who are hurting certain segments of the restaurant sector simply by looking for the best values. We know, you just thought you were a savvy diner by skipping dessert and/or appetizers, but it turns out, millions of thrifty consumers are putting the squeeze on mid-sized chains all over the country -- big time.

The Times’ Jerry Hirsh explores fourth-quarter sales numbers at chains that once catered to spend-happy families in the exurbs, such as California Pizza Kitchen, Cheesecake Factory, Black Angus and Macaroni Grill. Suffice it to say, things are not looking good.

-- Charlie Amter