District Briefing: [Fran] O'Brien's Creates Charity [to assist wounded soldiers]

Washington Post ^ | 4/18/06 | Petula Dvorak

[Coop]

Just got off the phone making reservations. I did express our gratitude to the lady, and she mentioned how much they love all the young troops. When I asked about parking, she said their lot had just closed down for construction. So other than street parking, our only option was paying Hilton $10 for valet. I told the woman I was familiar with this situation and would not be giving Hilton money for parking or anything else. She seemed appreciative of the support.

[Coop]

Yes, but I imagine it was the same boilerplate we almost all seemed to have received. I found it polite, but fairly insincere and lacking some details.

[Tunehead54]

Doesn't Hilton have the responsibility to be ADA compliant for all its locations?

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Just wondering why that can't be pushed. Also Fran O'Brien's could go BK to slow things down a little while the ADA complaint goes through ... This is not, of course, legal advice as I let my CA bar license lapse in 1992 but maybe something that could be considered ... ;-)

[Coop]

I'm not sure what BK means.

[StarCMC]

BTTT!!! Wooohooo -- these guys at Fran O'Briens are awesome!!

[Tunehead54]

I'm not sure what BK means.

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Oops! Its legalese for "Bankrupt" or filing a bankruptcy petition. I DO NOT know about the recent changes to BK law but I have not read of significant changes to Chaper 11 BKs that apply to business reorganizations. In the day, any lawyer worth his salt could use the automatic stay imposed upon filing for 6 months minimum to ensure the status quo during the "reorganization".

No evictions, suppliers had to continue supplying, etc.

If I was Fran's management I'd check for the best BK lawyer in town - if nothing else, it is leverage. Just filing can't be more than $500. To reiterate - this is not legal advice.

Just remember this is free advice and you know what that's worth ... ;-)

[bmwcyle]

Bump for the future

[BykrBayb]

But I'm now convinced that Hilton just wants 'em out, whatever the true reason may be.

If Hilton doesn't want that military dollar, who am I to argue? I won't impose on them with my money, which has been "tainted" by the military for several generations. I'm sure Fran O'Brien's could find a use for my "tainted" money. Thanks for the info.

[mjaneangels@aolcom]

The way I read this is: Fran O'Brien's is getting kicked out of the Hilton which will cost them a fortune, especially since it is on such short notice, so they are taking up a collection to keep the dinners going until they can relocate. What a contrast to what Hilton is doing (nothing).

Thanks for pinging me to the other thread.

[Coop]

Finally got down to Fran O'Brien's tonight with the family. It was delicious, and the place is as beautiful as the pictures led me to believe. I even got to wander around the banquet room where our wounded troops are treated like royalty.

I asked to speak to the co-owners, but Hal hadn't arrived yet and Marty wasn't working tonight. So we left a thank-you note and modest donation for Hal at the hostess station. While there, I began chatting with one of the managers. She told me a few interesting pieces of information.

1) CBS Evening News is planning to run a piece on FOB's on Monday evening. The local ABC affiliate is also planning a story, but when it will air is TBD. And Hannity & Colmes are scheduled for this coming Friday, although Hal & Marty don't want to do the show if it's their last night with the troops for a while.

2) With CBS, military bloggers and other media people present last night, Hilton GM Brian Kelleher was outside to personally greet the wounded soldiers. The manager said she had never seen him do that before. They also had security staff and umbrellas standing by, as opposed to the previous couple of years when they had to request them. No big deal, but Hilton was treating the event as a dog 'n pony show for the media.

3) One of the excuses Hilton has given for the eviction is that Fran O'Brien's has been late with the rent a couple of times. She said this is an accurate claim. What goes unsaid is that Hilton owes Fran O'Brien's anywhere from $60-$80K in room charges, so there are times they simply subtract the monthly rent from the totals owed back to them. Apparently Hilton didn't like that.

What a pathetic excuse for a hotel. I've tried to give them the benefit of the doubt, given my past wonderful experience with Hilton, but we're done with them next week if they don't unscrew this and fast. I left a handwritten note for Mr. Kelleher, with my Hilton Honors numbers. The tone was civil, but to the point. We'll see if he bothers to respond.

[Coop]

And thanks for that BK explanation.

[Mo1]

2) With CBS, military bloggers and other media people present last night, Hilton GM Brian Kelleher was outside to personally greet the wounded soldiers. The manager said she had never seen him do that before. They also had security staff and umbrellas standing by, as opposed to the previous couple of years when they had to request them. No big deal, but Hilton was treating the event as a dog 'n pony show for the media.

Gee .. someone sure is worried about the fallout

[Coop]

Yeah, at least superficially worried.

[Valin]

It appears to me that there is a PR bonanza just waiting for some other restaurant/hotel to step up.

[StarCMC]

Good on ya Coop!! Thanks for putting your money where your mouth is! ;-D

[Txsleuth]

What Valin posted is so true...

Is there not a hotel in the vicinity that would LOVE the publicity of bailing out Fran O'Briens...if they don't want to do it out of a sense of patriotism, that is.

[Indy Pendance]

bump!

[Coop]

They are exploring alternative locations. But they'd like to remain where they are and not have to disrupt operations and move with virtually no notice.

[Coop]

:-)

[zoomie81]

I received a response from the Hilton..after my aggressive letter to them. It was form letter stating the closing of Fran O'Brien's was strictly a leasing problem and had nothing to do with troop support...blahblahblah.
I'm glad this fund has been set up. $$$$ on the way!

PS: Good Luck at the Monday Anti-Illegal Rally...God Bless