Garden City, Long Island, New York – A recent study revealed that several celebrity-owned eateries in the United States, including those in New York City, have been receiving low ratings from customers. Wahlburgers, owned by actor brothers Mark and Donnie Wahlberg, found itself at the top of the list with less than half of its reviews receiving a 5-star rating. The burger chain, with locations across multiple states and countries, has been facing challenges with its outlets in the Midwest reportedly on the verge of closure.
Customer reviews on platforms like Google and TripAdvisor have highlighted issues such as subpar food quality, poor service, and incorrect orders being served at these renowned establishments. Margaritaville, owned by the late Jimmy Buffett, and Nobu, co-founded by Oscar-winner Robert De Niro, also made it to the list of celebrity-owned restaurants with a low percentage of 5-star reviews.
The study pointed out that establishments like Cabo Wabo Cantina, owned by rocker Sammy Hagar, and Jay-Z’s 40/40 Club in Brooklyn were also among those with a significant number of less-than-stellar reviews. Despite the criticism, some eateries like Martha Stewart’s The Bedford and Lady Gaga’s parents’ Italian restaurant, Joanne Trattoria, managed to receive better ratings compared to their celebrity counterparts.
Researchers conducting the study emphasized the importance of distinguishing between restaurants that are created as genuine passion projects by celebrities and those that are solely driven by profit. They noted that customers may have higher expectations for establishments associated with famous personalities, leading to disappointment when the experience falls short of those standards. Overall, the study shed light on the challenges faced by celebrity-owned restaurants in meeting customer expectations and maintaining a positive reputation in the industry.