Restaurants Shave Prices, Plump Menus in Response to Steep Drop in Customers

[Kelemvor]

More menu selection swouldn't do much for me bt lower prices would.

As for splitting dishes, some restaurants charge you extra if you do that which is a bunch of BS in my book.

 

[Winchester]

Originally posted by: OS

Originally posted by: Amused

Originally posted by: Gooberlx2

Originally posted by: PingSpike
If food prices are less they should cut the prices and offer less food. I can't even finish an entree at a resturant, much less a 3 course meal.

Seriously, think about when the last was when you actually ordered a dessert at a restaraunt. I'd wager it's been years for me. I'd be much happier if prices were cut, as well as portion sizes and an expansion of healthy foods.

Restaraunts might find the bottom line easier to reach if they weren't putting sooo much damn food on our plates.

It's all about competition. Portion sizes got so big because restaurants were losing business to whoever had biggier portions.

In fact, two of the chief complaints about restaurants to this day is "over priced" and "small portions."

Again, the best way to overcome this AND save money is to split a dish with your dining companion.

Doesn't splitting a dish effectively cut revenues per visitor in half? I mean sure great for consumers but restaurants will hurt if enough people do that.

Splitting plates in the only way we eat out. The wife and I can get out for <$10-15 WITH tip and eat a nice plate at almost every chain and local M&P. We always get water w/ lemon and put some sweet n' low in which saves $4 right off the bat. I dont see how couples go out and each get a plate and drinks etc. It is $30+ before tip just for 2 people which is stupid IMO.

 

[skace]

Originally posted by: foghorn67
I'll remember this article the next time I am waiting an hour for a table at the Cheesecake Factory.

I hear that place owns but I've never been there

 

[Scarpozzi]

It's about time... I hope these food companies learn a lesson. They've been overpriced for the past 5 years. They inflated themselves and now they get to attempt to get their customers back.

 

[Tobolo]

hmm i dont know whether i think this is a good thing or a bad thing.

 

[aldamon]

Originally posted by: SampSonThere is a break point at which the income level of patrons in increasingly expensive restaurants will not be affected by the relatively low cost of fuel. Someone who frequents a $100 per plate establishment really isn't going to be so affected by gas prices that they will consider not eating at their incredibly expensive restaurant because it costs $1.50 more per gallon for fuel.

Now obviously we have to look at the actual income to expenditure ratio of the patrons of restaurants. If the relatively small portion of the typical American's income used for fuel is actually causing them to stop eating out as usual, then you have to being to deduce that they probably couldn't truely afford their lifestyle in the first place. I am willing to bet that the vast majority who decided to stop eating out purely because of energy costs (which I completely fail to believe is the case), were walking a very fine financial line anyway.

I burn up about $500 in gas a month, easily, depending on how good business is. Sure fuel costs are always taken into consideration because I use so much, but they have not caused me to significantly alter how I do business or how I go about my personal life (entertainment such as eating out). I have not personally experienced someone who has to make a choice between buying fuel and doing something else, ever. Mabey at very low income levels this is more prevalent, which would explain why fast food is doing better business.

Yes energy costs are up, but I fail to believe they are anywhere NEAR the price point that it takes to make people sit back and make hard decisions on what they are doing.

I agree 100%. The added cost of the price of gas pales in comparison to something like an insanely high mortgage (real estate bubble anyone?), car loan, or the loss of a job (cough). There are much better ways to save money than to eliminate cheap entertainment, which is exactly what going out to dinner is. I think there is something else going on here besides gas prices. The people mentioning health concerns may also be onto something.

I'm also annoyed by the surcharges being added to things like pizza delivery. I refuse to pay them. I'd just assume drive the 2 miles to the pizza place and pick up my own pie. I don't have to pay a tip that way either.

We go out to eat 1 - 3 times a week and higher gas prices haven't changed that. We drive inexpensive cars, have good jobs, have a low mortgage and expenses though. That means we're not on the financial edge SampSon mentioned.

 

[jjmIII]

Originally posted by: dmcowen674

Originally posted by: jjmIII
My girl and I eat out tons.
Were D.I.N.K.'s though (dual income no kids) .

Glad to hear prices may be going down.

Side Note: In Canton Ohio gas is at $2.39 everywhere!! It keeps going down??!!

Did people stop driving there?

What is drving prices down there and not other places in the Country?

Still $3 here.

Gas is $2.33 everywhere as of today!!

 

[rasczak]

Originally posted by: jjmIII

Originally posted by: dmcowen674

Originally posted by: jjmIII
My girl and I eat out tons.
Were D.I.N.K.'s though (dual income no kids) .

Glad to hear prices may be going down.

Side Note: In Canton Ohio gas is at $2.39 everywhere!! It keeps going down??!!

Did people stop driving there?

What is drving prices down there and not other places in the Country?

Still $3 here.

Gas is $2.33 everywhere as of today!!

not in san diego

 

[SVT Cobra]

They're hurting because all their food tastes the same, and while good at first it gets old quick.

 

[Acanthus]

Originally posted by: Amused

Originally posted by: davestar
good. maybe that means people are going to real restaurants instead

Um, no. It means people are going out to eat and drink less. Bar business is down too.

In fact, luxury and entertainment spending is down across the board.

It's simple, many people can no longer afford it.

 

[dmcowen674]

Originally posted by: Acanthus

Originally posted by: Amused

Originally posted by: davestar
good. maybe that means people are going to real restaurants instead

Um, no. It means people are going out to eat and drink less. Bar business is down too.

In fact, luxury and entertainment spending is down across the board.

It's simple, many people can no longer afford it.

Except all the poor people. That's why they are poor.

 

[Pepsi90919]

harvey's has kept the same prices while minimizing the menu severely. i think it will kill them.

harveys.ca

 

[Pepsi90919]

Originally posted by: dmcowen674

Originally posted by: mugs

Originally posted by: dmcowen674
Wasn't directed at you directly but what you are saying goes against everything we are being told, incomes have been rising exponetially according to the AT faithful.

Why haven't you moved to Canada yet?

Why would I want to live in a giant commune???

wtf are you talking about?

 

[eplebnista]

Would lower prices and more menu selections make you eat out more?

Yes

 

[sierrita]

Originally posted by: tk109
Maybe people are actually just eating less so there aren't so many fat slobs around anymore......

Yeah one can dream I guess.

One could also stfu.

 

[dmcowen674]

Originally posted by: Pepsi90919

Originally posted by: dmcowen674

Originally posted by: mugs

Originally posted by: dmcowen674
Wasn't directed at you directly but what you are saying goes against everything we are being told, incomes have been rising exponetially according to the AT faithful.

Why haven't you moved to Canada yet?

Why would I want to live in a giant commune???

wtf are you talking about?

The majority here always say Canada is a giant Socialist hellhole. <shrugs>

I don't know, being able to go to the doctor and if have to go the hospital and not go bankrupt and on the street doesn't sound like a hellhole to me but I'm an ass so what do I know?