Have restaurants give discounts (or coupons) for use in off-hours, when business is slow. For example: "get 20% off when arriving between 3-5pm". I often have lunch at odd hours, so I'd go for that. I'm guessing many other people would too. Especially if they're a bit tight for cash.
The benefits are obvious. Most restaurants are open the entire day and therefore incur many fixed costs, whether or not they are busy. Since the customer influx tends to fluctuate greatly at different times of day, if a restaurant could somehow even it out a bit - fewer customers during the peak and more on off-peak hours, then they could greatly streamline the operation. They wouldn't need as many tables/servers, and employees wouldn't be standing around with essentially nothing to do during the off-peak hours.
Movie theaters, airlines, and vacation packages have been doing this for years, but I have yet to encounter such a deal at a restaurant.-- imho, Jun 05 2009 Early Bird Special http://www.google.c...ant&aq=f&oq=&aqi=g1Not just a "new york ooooo aren't we trendy type thing." But mostly in the US and Canada. [csea, Jun 05 2009] See "Beat the Clock" http://www.belgo-restaurants.co.uk/foodhas anyone mentioned that this is widely known to exist? [AbsintheWithoutLeave, Jun 13 2009] At my local sushi bar, it's called "happy hour".-- normzone, Jun 05 2009 I work in a sushi bar and we do all you can eat, starting at $9.99 during happy hour. This is widely known to exist.-- jaksplat, Jun 05 2009 widely known to exist.-- loonquawl, Jun 05 2009 widely known to exist. has anyone mentioned that yet?-- simonj, Jun 05 2009 Pre-theatre discounts (normally something like 5pm - 7pm) are just one common example of such off-peak discounts.
You are right, [imho], the benefits have been (and continue to be) obvious. Sorry that there doesn't seem to be any such restaurant in your locale.-- Jinbish, Jun 05 2009 Widely known my butt. I never heard of it. This must be some new york ooooo aren't we trendy type thing.-- zeno, Jun 05 2009 No, not just new york. We done have that in the back hills here of connecticut too. It's been around for at least 10 years. Was originally done to attract elderly folks like me who go to bed at dusk.
...and your butt is okay, really. It doesn't look too wide, I don't think ;-)-- blissmiss, Jun 05 2009 Looks like I need to change the title to: "Off-Peak Restaurant Discount at IMHO's Neighborhood"
Add it to the fish-bone pile... ;-)-- imho, Jun 05 2009 Hey [imho], you got lots o' buns. I would be proud! (just not on *this* idea.)-- blissmiss, Jun 05 2009 If it's any consolation, imho, I haven't encountered this in any restaurants around Cambridge, and I think it's a jolly good idea.-- MaxwellBuchanan, Jun 06 2009 Thanks guys. For the support ;-) I was thinking - perhaps this idea would work better for fast food joints.-- imho, Jun 11 2009 [+] The only thing missing is a "Leftovers Hour" where you can come to the restaurant for a 1-2 hour window following the official closing time. Rather than throwing out all of the unserved food, sell it for 50% off. The caveat to this offer is that you will not get the same level of service (get your own refills, napkins, etc.) and the selection is based on what's left over. Some nights you might luck up and get a porterhouse steak while you might be limited to bread sticks and the deep fried onion on other nights.-- Jscotty, Jun 12 2009 I noticed several restaurants in Dublin having "time bands" last time I was there. It's a good idea, but totally baked.-- xenzag, Jun 13 2009 //perhaps this idea would work better for fast food joints// yes, but they're not restaurants.-- AbsintheWithoutLeave, Jun 13 2009 random, halfbakery