Why 24-Hour Diners Across America Are Closing for Good | Eater Austin

"I consider Kerbey Lane Cafe an iconic Austin diner that was once known for 24-hour service; CEO Mason Ayer—who inherited the family chain—says that before the pandemic its busiest hours were late nights and early mornings, especially at the South Lamar and Guadalupe locations where 3–4 a.m. waits rivaled mid-morning rushes. I note Ayer observed overnight sales softening in 2016–17 (which he attributes partly to Gen Z’s different online social habits and a less desirable Guadalupe neighborhood), and that the pandemic devastated the diner’s late-night customer base. Staffing overnight became “pretty darn close to impossible” despite Kerbey offering above-minimum wages, health insurance, and paid time off, so the chain briefly restarted limited 24-hour service (Guadalupe on Friday/Saturday nights in October 2021) then halted it; South Lamar returned to 24-hour service on Fridays and Saturdays as of March 2023 while other locations now close at midnight. I understand Ayer is open to expanding late-night hours but has no plans to resume constant 24/7 operations because of wear-and-tear and maintenance challenges, and says rebuilding overnight awareness has required a conscious, word-of-mouth effort that is slowly growing business." - Nadia Chaudhury