http://restauranttradearearesearch.com Mapping The Restaurant Universe Of Marketing And Research And Trade Areas Fri, 13 Jan 2012 20:03:12 +0000 http://backend.userland.com/rss092 en I had seen the billboards but had somehow missed any TV ads for the new Wendy's W Burger. So, when I eventually did see the TV and it showed the `special sauce' - my mind instantly went off as a lover of the Big Mac nearly 50 years. When aware ... http://restauranttradearearesearch.com/2012/01/13/the-w-tried-three-times-the-opinions/ One of the ideas that I've personally stressed over the years to clients is to look at their customer base in two manners, trade area and customer frequency segments (heavy users, etc.). And, one of those categories is the VERY occasional user - especially customers that either live in the trade ... http://restauranttradearearesearch.com/2011/11/21/the-new-again-aware-non-users-fast-food-mystery-shop/ Let us begin: First, how about a product that lets you open a bathroom restaurant door with your FEET? http://www.stepnpull.com/ or, the horrors of restaurant websites? http://www.slate.com/id/2301228/ - as you know, McDonald's sales up again in July over 5% http://www.restaurantnews.com/mcdonalds-strong-performance-continues-july-comparable-sales-up-5-1/ and Denny's sales up 2% for the comparible quarter http://www.restaurantnews.com/dennys-reports-results-for-second-quarter-2011/ More soon. http://restauranttradearearesearch.com/2011/08/24/summer-restaurant-link-clearance-part-six/ Hello - let's pick up where summer left off a month ago. Also, I've written up my experiences at two restaurants recently - look for that soon. --------------------- Of course, huge news was the http://www.myce.com/news/court-fines-restaurants-over-40k-for-playing-music-without-a-license-50280/ 40K dollar fine for playing unlicensed music by BMI - do they realize their business model sounds like ... http://restauranttradearearesearch.com/2011/08/22/summer-restaurant-link-clearance-part-five/ Hello Folks - still in the summer clearance mode - but, today, with a bit more commentary on occasion than the last three posts. ========================================== First up is something that I've been cautioning about and now has some evidence to back it up - Too much customer contact can hurt business - ... http://restauranttradearearesearch.com/2011/07/20/summer-restaurant-link-clearance-part-four/ Days of not having access and a backlog of links to begin with has resulted in now three days of links - without comments. Enjoy. ======================= Moe's to get new, fresher menu - http://www.ajc.com/business/moes-to-get-new-802477.html ---- Cracker Barrel and The Grascals Celebrate #1 Debut on Billboard Bluegrass Chart - http://www.restaurantnews.com/cracker-barrel-and-the-grascals-celebrate-1-debut-on-billboard-bluegrass-chart/ --- Burger King Settles Value ... http://restauranttradearearesearch.com/2011/07/17/summer-restaurant-link-clearance-part-three/ One more time - Links without commentary. New Concept, Coal Burger, Set to Sizzle in the Woodlands - http://www.restaurantnews.com/new-concept-coal-burger-set-to-sizzle-in-the-woodlands/ --------- New 1/4 Pound Southern Style Chicken Sandwich Debuts at Church’s Chicken Restaurants - http://www.restaurantnews.com/new-1-4-pound-southern-style-chicken-sandwich-debuts-at-churchs-chicken-restaurants/  ---- Jack in the Box Introduces New Bourbon BBQ Steak Grilled Sandwich - http://www.restaurantnews.com/jack-in-the-box-introduces-new-bourbon-bbq-steak-grilled-sandwich/ ---- Benihana Sizzles with ... http://restauranttradearearesearch.com/2011/07/15/summer-restaurant-link-clearance-part-two/ Hello everyone - thanks for your visit. Today I'm going to clear out tons of links that have simply backed up in the bin due to NOT having access to my blogs on 1and1.com for a couple weeks (server errors corrected now) - indeed, all the links I haven't even saved ... http://restauranttradearearesearch.com/2011/07/14/summer-restaurant-link-clearance-part-one/ RTAR is sad to report the demise of `the train station' restaurant in downtown Woodstock Georgia - the Right Wing Tavern. Regular readers will remember that I featured the RWT when my family used a Groupon there in February of this year  The Groupon `Restaurant’ Experience - Why Pay More? - ... http://restauranttradearearesearch.com/2011/06/28/woodstock-restaurant-right-wing-tavern-closes/ Our family loves Crawfish - and, whatever happened to Langostino's? Hot N Juicy Crawfish Restaurant to Open in Orlando - http://www.restaurantnews.com/hot-n-juicy-crawfish-restaurant-to-open-in-orlando/ opening in the insanely hot trade area near the Disney Complex of Entertainment.============= The expected social media pushback has started - Why I Will Never, Ever Hire A "Social Media Expert" ... http://restauranttradearearesearch.com/2011/06/20/crawfish-new-niche/ Here's a link with a detailed look into the Groupon experience of one restaurant owner - and will provide an outline as to what to avoid if you have not made the one time plunge - http://techcrunch.com/2011/06/09/groupon-single-worst-decision/ -- as regulars to this blog know - I have been posting about similar ... http://restauranttradearearesearch.com/2011/06/17/the-posies-cafe-groupon-story/ Sodapalooza is what the billboard sign screams in East Cobb, Georgia - it's the new 49cents drink promotion at Race Trac http://www.racetrac.com/AwesomeDeals.aspx - a southeastern convenience store chain. Indeed, the competitors price is all of 59cents this summer (Quik Trip) I believe. And, as we all know McDonald's has had 1.00 ... http://restauranttradearearesearch.com/2011/06/05/sodapalooza-and-the-untapped-fast-food-drink-positioning/ In the new normal after the crash of 08 - restaurant people have been suddenly had a new outlet for `marketing' - the so-called `value' coupon offers of Groupon and many others. This article goes in detail to the positives and yes, the NEGATIVES (and backlash forming) - well worth ... http://restauranttradearearesearch.com/2011/05/31/the-restaurant-value-coupon-dilemma/ There is brand loyalty and there is brand loyaty - http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/05/12/in-n-out-burger-north-texas-expansion_n_861172.html?icid=main%7Chtmlws-main-w%7Cdl1%7Csec3_lnk3%7C213092 with video. Up until now I had been blissfully unaware of In-N-Out's Christian connections. ------------------------- Holy Smokes. Panera Bread has added choice sirloin steak to the breakfast daypart, salad offerings, and sandwich segments of it's menu - quality marketing moves - ... http://restauranttradearearesearch.com/2011/05/15/in-n-out-burger-expands-to-north-texas-people-line-up-for-miles/ In what can only be considered somewhat eye-opening, much like the subject matter - McDonald's clearly wins in this study of over 15,000 respondents (customers) for loyalty in the important coffee segment of customers - especially for the still growing breakfast daypart. More menu census data extensions - http://www.nacsonline.com/NACS/News/Daily/Pages/ND0418112.aspx and speaking ... http://restauranttradearearesearch.com/2011/04/20/survey-says-mcdonalds-wins-coffee-loyalty/