Mexican or Tex-Mex? What's the difference?
There is a reason that so many Mexican food places are around...we eat that crap. Same with Chinese or "eastern" places.
I've never been one to rate one over the other as far as the food goes. It's mostly about service and salsa.
I like Posada’s. Haven’t eaten it in a few years, but I ate at one in Texas on the road from the Frisco conference tournament and thought it was good and priced well (at lunch).
Its gonna be Don Chuy's like the one in West Monroe (Old Willies Duck Diner location)
https://www.facebook.com/DonChuyMexicanBarAndGrill/
Does anyone know what is going in front of Walmart? It looks like several businesses.
Franchises are usually owned/operated by a "local." Franchisees are independent business owners who buy into a franchise for the advantages such corporations can offer, which includes, but is not limited to, a proven business model, supply chain support, and the benefit of a "brand" which greatly enhances marketing. But, these owners are still entrepreneurs who put up their own capital and have a lot at risk. Most franchisees live in that town, or nearby, and of course hire locals to work there.
I always get a chuckle when someone poo-poohs a franchise and says "buy local." In restaurants, for instance, they buy through companies like Sysco...yes, even mom & pops...which is no more "local" than all those products Walmart sells. Your local McDonald's is owned by a Rustonite or maybe someone who lives in Monroe and owns multiple stores...but still mostly "local."
You make some salient points. Three thoughts --
1) Franchise fees leave the community. I dont know a whole lot about this, but I've heard they're not insignificant. If you want to make the case that increased sales arising from brand recognition compensate for this ... ok, maybe it's a wash.
2) More importantly, chain restaurants do little to enhance a community's character as unique and distinct. If your place is like every other place, then there's no reason to go there. I hope Ruston aspires to be other than just Bossier or WM with a university.
3) These things are not mutually exclusive. A city can have franchise restaurants AND local joints and support both. Sometimes you want a farm-to-table bratwurst with artisanal goat cheese. And sometimes, you just crave a Whopper.