Thursday, October 23, 2008

Lowering prices can be a dangerous move. Get guests used to paying $5 for a sub at Subway. What happens when you have to raise the price? Will those bargain guests remain loyal ... or find another restaurant discounter?

My take is that they’ll be peeved and move on. So much for price loyalty.

Technorati Tags: Subway Sandwiches, Subway Restaurants
Restaurant Marketing

Posted by jcohen in • Restaurant Marketing
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Sunday, October 12, 2008

Rocky Top Hospitality of Raleigh, NC running several concepts in the Triangle said they’ve changed their menus at three of their eateries last week to include lower priced items. Dean Ogan, the owner, as reported in the News & Observer said “the biggest think I see every where is the word ‘value.’

Here’s my take: lowering your prices means lowering your profits, and once you’ve lowered prices, it’s difficult to raise them due to guest objections and observations. Here’s the answer—never lower your prices. If you ever have to lower your prices, it’s because you’re not providing enough value.

Technorati Tags: Rocky Top Hospitality, Restaurant Marketing

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Saturday, September 27, 2008

One would think that you could get a fabulous Greek Salad at a Greek Restaurant. Not the case at “It’s All Greek To Me” restaurant in downtown Edmonton. This was the most boring and uninspiring plate of tomatoes, lettuce and cucumbers I’ve ever had. No anchovies. No chunks of Feta Cheese. They just grinded into a tasteless powder. It’s beyond me why they wouldn’t serve a Greek Salad that WOWs their guests. And, when I said something, they said, “that’s the way we make it.”

Why aren’t restaurants interested or concerned about Wowing their guests in every way possible? Why do they think it’s okay to serve a boring salad ... especially a boring Greek Salad from a Greek Restaurant? 

Posted by jcohen in • Restaurant Marketing
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Friday, September 26, 2008

Have you ever noticed that the more you pay for a hotel, the less you get? $18/day to park your car. $10 for phone and internet access. No coffee in the room. What gives? Peabody Hotel/Orlando is a great example of the more you pay the less you get. And by the way, those bedspreads? They don’t change them with each new guest.

Posted by jcohen in • Restaurant Marketing
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Sunday, September 21, 2008

Johnny Carino’s BriarCreek location in Raleigh, NC. They hand out take-out menus and feature their curbside service. So, when you’re at home and you want to place a curbside order, you go to their take-out menu and ... there’s no phone number. So tell me Mr. Johnny Carino ... how does one do take-out menus without putting a phone number on them?

And that’s why Johnny Carino’s get the Restaurant Marketing black-eye marketing award.

Posted by jcohen in • Restaurant Marketing
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