This is a move that could, could, really shake up the breakfast daypart - especially for anyone looking for a NON-Biscuit breakfast choice. I do have a problem with the suggested 7AM planned start time. That said, I can see Subways with successful breakfasts begin to cut into the morning traffic at NON-Biscuit brands/bakeries. Finally, why NOT use ones property in all dayparts - only common sense - but, with the new normal - this will need a long term view to be successful.  http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5iIXB-1yC23zyltFqu3kHqI5_PBwwD9ELQBM00

Speaking of the new normal - here’s a link predicting - correctly - that the 1 dollar menu price point is here to stay - until things improve at the discretionary spending levels of consumers feeling poorer - regardless of what the media says (from the low return on savings rates to the reduction in home values to the unemployed neighbor). http://www.dailyfinance.com/story/investing/1-fast-food-deals-tied-to-the-economy/19413284/

More on my research background here - http://streetlevelviews.com/5.html and here is an example of `street level views’ - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zTRO81RR7DA

To a market researcher like myself — I LOVE this link because it has wonderful REAL DATA. And, that data is not favorable to today’s restaurateur. Why? Well, the data shows that dinner usage of restaurants is off for ALL demographic groups. Great specific information such as (number of dinners out per year) - 18-31years (66); 32-43 years  (63); 44-51years (60); 52-61years (56); 62 and over (49) much more at this link too — http://www.mediapost.com/publications/?fa=Articles.showArticle&art_aid=122816

Moe’s Grows - Tex-Mex Heads to Turkey as Credit Thaw Fuels Restaurant Growth - http://www.businessweek.com/news/2010-03-19/tex-mex-heads-to-turkey-as-credit-thaw-fuels-restaurant-growth.html

And, check out this big Moe’s fan that I interviewed as part of my Street Level Views service in 2009 — http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bj8ZsJ5JeAg - you can see all of these interviews by going to YouTube and entering into the search box `top of mind restaurant’ - and lo and behold - free research for you.

One has to wonder how many years it of `the new normal’ that competitors will let McDonalds claim this value attribute to themselves in the FF arena — will everyone play catch-up? Will anyone have the nerve to go super-low on the Iced Tea as a response (other than convenience outlets)?http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748704743404575127551110770616.html 

Twitter’s allure is tough to translate into dollars, but one national name, Dunkin’ Donuts, is tracking results and ramping up its presence on the microblogging site. – Treating your customer base right is important - twitter can be part of it - http://www.portfolio.com/companies-executives/2010/03/16/dunkin-donuts-tracking-twitter-in-effort-to-turn-tweets-into-sales/

Franchising Redux at Sizzler Restaurants - Interesting Q & A with a head person - http://www.chainleader.com/article/453688-Executive_Q_A_Franchising_Redux_at_Sizzler_Restaurants.php 

The ultimate giveaway and crowd pleaser - The Chains With Free Food Prizes and the People (600,000!) Who Want Them - http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748704688604575125753339035336.html?mod=WSJ_latestheadlines 

See my research on trade areas at Squidoo - www.squidoo.com/tradeareasurveys

Considering that `calorie count on menu board’ is the sidebar category of mine that is the most clicked - this move does not surprise me. Can it really hurt? Isn’t there a way to move customers to higher profit items too? - http://www.cnbc.com/id/35801022 - From the article - “Scott Davis, Panera’s chief concept officer, said posting the information at stores operated in areas where it is mandated has had no impact on the company’s sales. Instead, people shifted their orders to healthier picks, with many selecting the company’s You Pick Two option, which offers smaller portion sizes”

Restaurant Chains Tap the Power of Music - Live entertainment - anything to make your location unique and a destination point - will be needed occasionally in `the new normal’. http://www.chainleader.com/article/452270-Restaurant_Chains_Tap_the_Power_of_Music.php

Thanks for visiting today - have a look around my sidebar —>

(image source - http://www.toptenreviews.com/i/rev/scrn/large/2757-fast-food-calorie-counter5.jpg)

A $10 Pizza Hut promotion that launched late last year in Dallas and went nationwide last month has helped the country’s largest pizza seller regain some of the sales it lost to lower-priced chains - Family eats for 10.00 is a winner in the new normal - http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/bus/stories/DN-PizzaHut_26bus.ART.State.Edition1.3cf3be9.html

Consumer Insights Survey: Restaurant Brand Loyalty Remains High Despite Declining Visits - And, from the article - “Edwards explained that in order for brands to grow their customer base today, they must provide a trigger that prompts a consumer to try something that’s out of their comfort zone. ….The Consumer Verdict: Coupons Are the Answer…Of twelve options, the most frequent reason (36%) for considering switching to trial a new restaurant was a coupon or discount. A separate question validated this finding, with more than half of consumers indicating that a coupon or discount offer did recently prompt them to a visit a restaurant they might not have otherwise tried.” - http://restaurantnews.com/consumer-insights-survey-restaurant-brand-loyalty-remains-high-despite-declining-visits/ - Other notable statistics include:

Free WiFi: Is it right for your QSR? - Interesting story - http://www.qsrweb.com/article.php?id=17531&na=1

Quiznos Carves Out Broader Niche - http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748704089904575093520021777354.html Sandwich Chain to Expand Locations at Convenience Stores and Filling Stations - Smart move IMO.

http://www.shorpy.com/node/7841?size=_original - Ask Us About Our Poultry: 1942 - Times have changed a bit.

BK Franchisee Speaks Out - …Owner of 312 Burger Kings says the company is paying a steep price for “extreme affordability.” http://www.qsrmagazine.com/articles/exclusives/0310/burgerking-1.phtml - The price price price mantra.

Restaurant Performance Index Declines Slightly in January, but Optimism for Future Business Conditions Strengthens - http://restaurantnews.com/restaurant-performance-index-declines-slightly-in-january-but-optimism-for-future-business-conditions-strengthens/ Please, remember the same BS happened last year.

Bans, Taxes Seen as Effective Against Junk Food - http://www.aolnews.com/health/article/bans-taxes-seen-as-effective-weapons-against-junk-food/19389723 A 5.2 percent tax on soft drinks, already levied in several states, reduces consumption only enough to shave three ounces from a 279-pound frame, Always be on the watch for our worthless politicians.

Finally, I recently had a contact wanting to find out user information for a chain that I was very familiar with - thinking, evidently, that information is similar in different markets. (HUH?) — I hope that is not what YOU think?

BTW - spring is a great time for the MarketView - find out more about my service at www.squidoo.com/tradeareasurveys or - 678-467-8650 and ask for Rick or leave a message.

Hello, welcome to my restaurant blog - thanks for visiting today. As you can see, today’s post is about Boston Market taking on two simultaneous marketing campaigns concerning price points. The first, at least in Atlanta, was TV ads for a 5.00-meat + 1.00 sides price point - and now followed by a 2.99 `mini-meal’ positioning. My reaction to this is — I always think it is a good idea to provide products at the price points that folks associate with ones business idea (ie: fast foods should have a dollar menu AND a full priced offering menu) — that said, BOTH of these positions - IMO - seem not exactly a `fit’ for BM. One too expensive - one, slightly too cheap.

Here’s some links too:

http://restaurantnews.com/2-99-market-meal-deals-at-boston-market/

Nutter proposes 2-cent-per-ounce sweet-drink tax - http://www.philly.com/philly/news/homepage/20100304_Nutter_proposes_2-cent-per-ounce_sweet-drink_tax.html Here comes the government.

I first meet chef X in a local library and he slips me a brown business card with nothing but his name typewritten on the front http://www.boston.com/lifestyle/food/articles/2010/03/03/underground_and_off_limits_paid_suppers_by_pro_chefs_are_way_to_dine_well_clandestinely/

I have more current restaurant links at www.squidoo.com/tradeareasurveys — thanks for visiting today.

It was only something that I saw online yesterday - but - has FS dropped prices on sandwiches to 4.00 after 4PM? —– Nice response to Subways dayparting and even earlier.  —- Daypart pricing; needed during the new normal.

Here’s some links too:

They will have the regular - http://www.wickedlocal.com/westport/features/x531840012/THEYLL-HAVE-THE-REGULAR-Frequent-customers-add-spice-to-SouthCoast-eateries The critical importance of `regulars’ in these economic times.

http://news.cnet.com/8301-13772_3-10456332-52.html Oh oh - seems Denny’s has allowed an error about it’s twitter account on it’s main menu for months - read the strange tale.

I have more links on my Squidoo site too www.squidoo.com/tradeareasurveys . Tell a friend about this blog. Thanks.

One of the few available ways to increase sales is to increase the size of the eating party - here (perhaps you have seen the ads featuring Bo Bice) Moe’s smartly does just that. Indeed, by targeting a `workday’ Moe’s is even encouraging the development of the `office workers luncheon `date” (no romance required). And, by establishing work pairs eating out together - it will surely `happen’ on non-2-1 days too. Excellent idea.

More links to - including:

Vowel Sounds Influence Consumers’ Price Perceptions - http://www.cnbc.com/id/34919366 

10 Worst Sandwiches in America - http://health.yahoo.com/experts/eatthis/43781/10-worst-sandwiches-in-america/ - A list you don’t want to be on - such as FF chains - Arby’s, Panera, Red Robin, Subway, Blimpie, Quizno’s.

Unemployment Takes a Bite Out of Breakfast - http://www.aolnews.com/money/article/unemployment-takes-a-bite-out-of-breakfast/19367237 - Down 4% — even 8% off breakfast sandwiches at 7-11.

http://www.slashfood.com/2010/02/23/burger-king-unveils-secret-weapon-for-new-steakhouse-xt-burger/ BK goes huge. 7 oz Burger - new broilers.

http://restaurantnews.com/short-orders-news-bites-from-across-the-web-022510/ Just showing off that last weeks post was carried by restaurantnews.com - cool.

Hungry for Returns? Try Wendy’s/Arby’s Group - http://seekingalpha.com/article/185953-hungry-for-returns-try-wendy-s-arby-s-group

Return soon for more.