Brinker has 181 restaurants in Texas. We have not done as some restaurants have done and put surcharges on the menu, but we have had minor price increases just in California. Some are driven by increased energy costs, but other commodities are more expensive, too. Increasing energy costs are the only concern Smith says the company is worried about regarding deregulation. Rolling blackouts have paled in comparison.
Businesses have the option.
If it looks like it will work, they can take advantage of it. If not, then they are not in. Blanton, who says deregulation is going to allow TXU to move into the Houston market, says his company has studied business models of energy companies located in states where energy supplies are already deregulated. It was very successful. One of the main issues is supply versus demand.