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Despite the buffet trend flourishing in the past, it has faced a significant downturn in recent years. The market size of buffets in the U.S. has diminished by around 30% since 2012, with many establishments shutting down and chains like Sizzler and Old Country Buffet declaring bankruptcy due to various challenges, including health concerns stemming from food safety incidents and shifts in consumer dietary preferences. However, Shady Maple's fortunes have diverged sharply from this bleak trajectory, flourishing amid turmoil.