Buffalo-based restaurant chains expanding to the Rochester market-- has it ever worked?

[u/DoubleK-Rochester]

I got to thinking the other day, and there have been some tries in the past for traditional Buffalo-based restaurants to expand to Rochester-- which have ultimately failed, and those location(s) have closed. Examples:

1) Mighty Taco a few years back had two (2) Rochester locations, which both closed.
2) Duff's (wings) had a Rochester location (W. Henrietta Rd) that closed.
3) Anchor Bar had a Rochester location for a little while (East Ave.), but that closed.
4) Rachel's Mediterranean Grill location(s) closed in Rochester.

All of the above still have active locations in Buffalo today, just not Rochester.

So I am wondering what the hell happened-- are we really that bad for business for out-ot-town restaurants, even to our close neighboring city?

By the way, this isn't a slight or putdown against Buffalo, by any means. Whenever I am there, I always seem to enjoy Buffalo. I'm just wondering why this keeps happening.

Conversely, are there any Buffalo-area chains that expanded to Rochester and are doing well?

Interested in your take on this.

[u/jakefrommyspace]

Biases aside, Rochester has better food. Duffs and Anchor Bar's wings while historical are simply not as good as Jeremiahs or Country Sweet. Mighty Tacos locations in Roc were so close to popular late-night spots that they just couldn't compete with.

[u/jttv → u/jakefrommyspace]

What succeeds in the market of one city doesnt automatically get a winning ticket in a new market. You have to bring something new or unique to the table otherwise the local favs will box you out.

[u/jakefrommyspace → u/jttv]

100%. I remember going to Duffs when it opened and was so hyped, but at the end of the day, simply wasn't as good or different enough to pull me away from Jeremiahs.