Over the weekend, a couple of my friends called to ask if I wanted to join them for dinner.
And just now, my parents called to tell me that they were going to grab lunch and try out a new hot spot.
Get this…where my younger friends were going for dinner is the same place where my parents were going to lunch.
Actually… the same kind of place…
Not like they are the first to claim it, my friends are Young Pioneers and my parents are AARP Heartlanders.
Where were they both headed to dine?
The Mall Food Court.
Yep.
What was the draw?
“You can get a super selection for less than $10 including Dairy Queen where you can get great ice cream for dessert.”
When you Google “Mall Food Court Sales 2009,” all the articles are gloom and doom about how mall traffic is down.
Nearly 70 percent of food court retailers surveyed by Nations Restaurant News said that sales would be down in 2009 because of reduced mall customer traffic.
The media loves to report Gloom and Doom.
But…with an ear to the ground and a fresh perspective…there probably is some great opportunity knocking on the door.
The owner of a food court deli and quoted in another article appears to be seeing the same glass half full as we are…
“Compared with luxury goods and other merchandise found in a mall, food remains a relatively inexpensive indulgence…people may not be buying the latest purse from Saks, but they’re more than willing to spend eight, nine…even $10 to eat.”
The American Middle Class is known to be innovative in how they adapt and change with the times.
Can you claim the same with your brand?
Monday, February 23, 2009
Wednesday, February 11, 2009
So who says its not cool right now to be Middle Class?
Yes…no question…chocolates are hip and cool…even brands like Godiva!
Chocolate is a far cheaper way to add a hint of luxury than paying $45+ for that FTD bundle of roses.
BUT… Nothing Says Love Like Waffle House.
Really!
That’s a headline out of this morning’s newspaper.
Turns out that last year one of the Waffle Houses out in the burbs of Atlanta ran a Valentine’s Day promotion complete with candle-lit tables and vases of flowers.
As the help says, they were shocked when couples started showing up in droves…some even in coats and ties!
As the article shares…
“The idea originated with Calvin Stokesbary, a division manager for the Norcross-based chain… Each booth got a red and white tablecloth and a candle. White globe lights were covered in red paper to give the place a rosy glow. The jukebox was unplugged and replaced with CDs of gauzy music.”
One of the regulars…a contractor…laughed at the idea when in there with his buddies and figured his wife would think it was a joke. A couple of hours later, his wife called in and made reservations.
As the manager relates…it was a special evening for many…they passed up the eggs and patty melts for bigger, high-ticket items like the steaks.
Talk about a Brand Icon of the American Middle Class!
The promotion proved so successful that this year Waffle House is expanding the promotion to 32 restaurants across the Southeast.
What’s happening here is not a quirk.
It’s part of a culture change that is going to rattle the cage of convention and unleash innovation.
So pick-up that glass of sweet southern tea with some 7Up bubbly and let’s toast Calvin for doing something cool!
Chocolate is a far cheaper way to add a hint of luxury than paying $45+ for that FTD bundle of roses.
BUT… Nothing Says Love Like Waffle House.
Really!
That’s a headline out of this morning’s newspaper.
Turns out that last year one of the Waffle Houses out in the burbs of Atlanta ran a Valentine’s Day promotion complete with candle-lit tables and vases of flowers.
As the help says, they were shocked when couples started showing up in droves…some even in coats and ties!
As the article shares…
“The idea originated with Calvin Stokesbary, a division manager for the Norcross-based chain… Each booth got a red and white tablecloth and a candle. White globe lights were covered in red paper to give the place a rosy glow. The jukebox was unplugged and replaced with CDs of gauzy music.”
One of the regulars…a contractor…laughed at the idea when in there with his buddies and figured his wife would think it was a joke. A couple of hours later, his wife called in and made reservations.
As the manager relates…it was a special evening for many…they passed up the eggs and patty melts for bigger, high-ticket items like the steaks.
Talk about a Brand Icon of the American Middle Class!
The promotion proved so successful that this year Waffle House is expanding the promotion to 32 restaurants across the Southeast.
What’s happening here is not a quirk.
It’s part of a culture change that is going to rattle the cage of convention and unleash innovation.
So pick-up that glass of sweet southern tea with some 7Up bubbly and let’s toast Calvin for doing something cool!
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