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> Are you eating out less or buying cheaper dishes when you do?
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Thursday, May 15, 2008
The poor economy has local restaurateurs pinching pennies and searching for creative ways to attract customers.
Some Dayton-area restaurant owners report a drop in recent months in the number of diners, while others with steady headcounts say customers are spending less. And they attribute part of their struggles to the weak economy that is slamming both their restaurants and their clientele.
With business brisk on a Wednesday night, Hostess Idy Haverstick checks her reservations list at Jay's Restaurant in the Oregon District.The National Restaurant Association's Restaurant Performance Index — a monthly composite that tracks the health of and outlook for the U.S. restaurant industry — dropped in March to its lowest level on record, the association announced April 30. The Ohio Restaurant Association's just-released monthly newsletter is headlined "How to stay competitive in tough economic times."
Hudson Riehle, senior vice president for the national restaurant association, said, "The soft economy continues to weigh on the minds of restaurant operators. One quarter of restaurateurs nationwide told researchers the economy is the No. 1 challenge facing their business, Riehle said.
Restaurants are being affected in varying ways: Jay's Restaurant in Dayton has seen customer counts drop on weekdays, although weekend business remains robust, and average check amounts have remained stable, co-owner Amy Haverstick said.
But The Winds in Yellow Springs has seen customer counts similar to last year, but smaller checks.
"We are getting the people, they just aren't spending as much as they used to," said Mary Kay Smith, The Winds' co-owner.
Meanwhile, restaurants' food costs are rising, and they're being forced to pay fuel surcharges on deliveries because the price of diesel fuel has skyrocketed recently — up 15.3 percent in March alone.
Restaurants are reducing deliveries and saving money elsewhere by paring down menus, re-examining their opening hours and working with suppliers to cut costs, said Lisa Grigsby, executive director of the Miami Valley Restaurant Association.
And they're searching for ways to put bodies in seats, launching new smaller-portion alternatives, appetizer specials and fixed-price, multi-course meals to accommodate value-conscious diners.
At least one restaurateur sees signs of hope. Brad Haber, president of the Miami Valley Restaurant Association and chief operating officer for the Dayton area's Buffalo Wild Wings and Milano's restaurants, points to recent price drops in flour and growth in customer counts in his restaurants during lunch and dinner hours.
"It's not all gloom and doom in Dayton," Haber said. "We're optimistic."
Contact this reporter at (937) 225-2258 or mfisher@DaytonDailyNews.com.
Comments
By Greg
March 8, 2009 11:01 PM | Link to this
I think Bill is a doushe bag!
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By Rachel
August 6, 2008 11:35 AM | Link to this
There is a little secret at Elsas in Centerville thats been going on for a few months, its starting to catch on, every Wednesday night they have a 30 to 35 dollar meal for around 15 bucks, im talking filet,pork chops,seafood dishes, its unbelivabley good. A friend told me about it and i have been eating there regulary on Wednsday nights. The guy used to be a chef at the Oakwood club, way to go Dominic
By TBill
May 16, 2008 3:44 PM | Link to this
Bill is correct: you can’t make coffee strong enough to make it cost $2. The restaurants pay the same for that electricity as the rest of us, the coffeemaker was paid for years ago, and how many square feet does one customer occupy? Quit making excuses for the fact that if it’s more expensive (the logic is) it tastes better. Tumbleweeds buys pop syrup and carbonated water by the gallon and yet charges $2.29 for a soda. Every retail establishment has overhead, from Kroger to Pine Club. Wake up!
By Bill
May 16, 2008 1:48 PM | Link to this
For a $5-$7 breakfast the breakdown is? $1 food, $1 waitress, $1 cook, and $2 to $5 for utilities, leases, management, profit??? A homeowner already pays for utilities and a house even if they don’t cook and little more in DP@L if they do. The tip is usually unreported income given to the wait staff on top. I know how hard it is to wait on people, work the kitchen and run a restaurant from experience. A loser deal for all. Only high end/drinking places make money. Everyone else is a Serf.
By chucktonian
May 16, 2008 12:27 PM | Link to this
people are addicted to the bland, chain slop. they eat there because their TV tells them to. make a big enough of plate of bland, chain slop for a cheap price and people line up! (olive garden, for example.)
or look at the morons crowding into Black Lobster every night..paying top dollar for frozen seafood you could get in the frozen food case at Kroger.
as for bars…people go to dumps like cadillac jacks because of the bar experience…and because they’re alcoholics in denial
By concerned
May 16, 2008 12:18 PM | Link to this
For those who say why are restaurants charging $5 for a meal when the food cost $1.25. I hope you realize that you are not just paying for the food. They have to pay for all of the same utilities and leases that we do at home plus the employees. By the way, servers only get paid $2.75 plus the tips that they receive.
By Boog
May 16, 2008 12:06 PM | Link to this
By Omar
May 16, 2008 4:48 AM | Link to this
What poor economy? The media scares people by propagating things like this. If there is a poor economy then all those trucks going up & down I-75 must be empty.Idiot.
By Boog
May 16, 2008 11:55 AM | Link to this
I’d go out to eat if they had a side room for smokers.
By Bill
May 16, 2008 11:48 AM | Link to this
Shoppingman-They should have surcharged me for bringing my own coffee, for walking in, and for sitting down-I think they did. Two sausages, one egg and a pancake cost less than $1.25 retail and the restaurant less than $1. So why not charge $5-7 and ask for a tip to bring it ten feet to you??? And coffee is 20 cents so why not charge $2? Do the math-when food costs 500-1000% more than it is to make at home then people will stop eating out. Goodby Obesity crisis-hello healthy at home cooking!
By TBill
May 16, 2008 11:29 AM | Link to this
Does this mean that Cheesecake Factory will no longer serve you enough food for 3 people? Maybe there will be room for that cheesecake after all! This is front page news?! Maybe so in Dayton.
By T.K.
May 16, 2008 9:50 AM | Link to this
WELL TONIGHT IS URBAN NIGHTS I WILL BE DOWNTOWN IN THE HISTORIC OREGON DISTRICT AT LE MONDE LOUNGE/ CAFE BLVD FOR GOOD FOOD SERVICE AND LIVE JAZZ MUSIC…. HOPE TO SEE YOU ALL THERE HELPING SUPPORT OUR DAYTON INDEPENDENT DINING……..
By ShoppingMan
May 16, 2008 9:35 AM | Link to this
Bill…
The restaurant should have added a surcharge for the bad manners of taking your own coffee into the restaurant…
As for $23 for 3 breakfasts (sans 1 coffee)… To each his own — but any day I can walk out of any sit-down restaurant for any meal for less than $30 for 3 w/tip, I’m amazed. $23 would seem a relative bargain in my mind.
By Ms. M.
May 16, 2008 8:11 AM | Link to this
Drove past restaurants in Richmond, Indiana one weekday last week and the parking lots were extremely empty at lunch time. The only thing I can say is that one does not have to wait on a table and gets the pick of the crop.
By Omar
May 16, 2008 4:48 AM | Link to this
What poor economy? The media scares people by propagating things like this. If there is a poor economy then all those trucks going up & down I-75 must be empty.
By rhonda
May 16, 2008 4:09 AM | Link to this
Not eating out less yet, but certainly choosing less expensive places & paying more attention to prices. Also, we’re choosing places closer to home & (unfortunately) avoiding driving to Troy, Yellow Springs, etc…for our favorite places anymore.
To “DaytonCop”: I don’t believe you are! What’s +1?
By Josef
May 15, 2008 11:15 PM | Link to this
What is the fascination with Cadillac Jacks? Their food is typical bar garbage, but worse in taste, portion, and higher in price.
Roosters is still a great place to eat, and it’s easy on my wallet.
Cadillac Jacks stinks, it’s puke. It deserves a snow shovel upside the head.
By Phil
May 15, 2008 11:10 PM | Link to this
GO eat at Vinny’s on Brown Street. There is plenty of great seating. There are a number of employees just waiting to serve you. The menu is just like Nothing But Noodles, with the exception of a pinch of this, a touch of that, ect. If you go to Vinny’s, you will get the royal treatment, because you’ll probably be the only one there. Get there quick; they may be closed by next month.
By frugalmom
May 15, 2008 10:49 PM | Link to this
As for eating out, we already don’t do much of that so we aren’t missing it. I am using skills I learned years sgo to offset the cost of gas…make a menu from grocery sale items, use coupons on the sale items, do several errands in one area to save gas, etc. I got out of the habit of watching over the grovery menu as life got busier. Our grocery costs have actually gone down since I returned to my frugal ways. I’m saving time and gas by only going to the grocery once/week.
By Bill
May 15, 2008 10:37 PM | Link to this
Milanos tanked with the BW3 association. Used to be fresh bread and a fantastic turkey sub-now don’t bother. Go to Subway or make it yourself-put on music, a loud TV and stupid people and you have BW3 or MILANOS same deal. Gee I wonder why the restaurant industry is over now? Hey wait staff-you are fired. Hey Restaurant-we are closed. Like Dominics or Nothing but Noodles.
By Bill
May 15, 2008 10:16 PM | Link to this
“t least one restaurateur sees signs of hope” Are you kidding? That food is lame. Good places to drink to excess , watch TV, and loud music-hey why don’t you just buy a forty and eat at home? If that is your plan. Or buy a sub at Subway and drink free tap water. The old restaurant business is officially over. Maybe go back to school or to school to start. No more paying for dippy waiting and eating from questionable wait staff, cooks, staff, and the like. Yhings are a changing.
By Doug
May 15, 2008 9:34 PM | Link to this
Unfortunately the large chain restaurants have put new stores in about everywhere and are much better equipped financially to handle any sales dropoff. Many of the newer chains hitting the area offer unique concepts in a dining experience such as BD Mongolian Grill or they offer a unique cultural flavor such as Pappadeaux. We still continue to dine out but generally have cut down on having any cocktails with our meals which ultimately makes them far more affordable.
By Susan
May 15, 2008 9:24 PM | Link to this
It is just that people don’t have common sense any more. Think how much gas gets burned every day by people sitting in restaraunt drive thru. Then turn around and complain about the price of gas.
By Phil Man
May 15, 2008 9:24 PM | Link to this
Hey big boy, you spelled “grammar” wrong. Idiot. And it appears your caps lock key is broken. Can you afford a new keyboard too?
By JANE C.
May 15, 2008 8:21 PM | Link to this
Far too many restaurants opened up in this town—It is mind-boggling to see that and wonder what were they thinking. People have to live within their means, and now they are finally doing that—that is actually a good sign. The news about people charging up their credit cards while they’re actually broke is winding down. People who take responsibility and live within their means is good for a community. Let the billion-dollar chains go somewhere else and support their pyramid scheme.
By W
May 15, 2008 7:15 PM | Link to this
I can’t believe anyone’s complaining about high food prices. What about those economic stimulus checks I gave you? Now, go out and spend that money at a nice restaurant.
By Ann
May 15, 2008 7:14 PM | Link to this
I eat out 2 to 3 times a week. That is down from the 3 to 5 times per week that we used to eat out. We eat primarily at non-chain, locally owned restaurants (think Pacchia, Coco’s, John Henry’s, Cest Tout, Meadowlark, etc). My husband and I recently shared one appetizer, one entree, and one dessert plus $20 in alcohol. The total bill was over $70! How did that happen? I’ve noticed a definite increases in prices in restaurants as well as in the grocery store.
By $$$$
May 15, 2008 7:01 PM | Link to this
I love how people complain about $4 gas then I see them in Starbucks 3 days a week paying $4 for 20 ounces of steamed milk and a shot of expresso…..give up some wants for needs and you’ll be fine.
By BL
May 15, 2008 7:01 PM | Link to this
May I suggest that restaurants make an attempt to develop some vegetarian and vegan menu items. Developing just one menu item with no meat, poultry, fish, dairy or eggs (and not be a salad) would get me back in to dine out.
By bigdaddyzeus
May 15, 2008 6:38 PM | Link to this
you all can thank W. for this problem. Taking care of his friends and lackeys before he leaves.
By vickie830
May 15, 2008 6:31 PM | Link to this
Every 2 weeks my husband and our 2 grown kids get toggether with their families even their parents as well.We all make 2 or 3 things and have a great dinner, Plus we catch up on what is going on with each other.There are 12 of us when we do that and it’s much nicer and cheaper than trying to go out somewhere.I have cut back on how much I make to eat so there are no left overs and even if there is and we won’t or can’t eat any more, I ask them if they would like to have it to fill out their table
By 12walleye12
May 15, 2008 5:24 PM | Link to this
it’s great all of the people are going to stay home and eat, i guess food hasn’t gone up at the store? get a life. been in the industry 20+ yrs go out eat, go to an independant restaurant and enjoy. Can’t understand why anyone wants to support a chain. ( poor food )
By Hope
May 15, 2008 5:00 PM | Link to this
I can honestly say that I don’t eat out for dinner anymore because I can’t afford it. With gas prices going up and the cost of everything going up, I stay at home and eat. Inflation is going up and pay checks aren’t. I don’t see anyone stepping up to the plate to help fix things. I don’t think things will get any better I’m sorry to say!
By Vonda Shepard
May 15, 2008 4:58 PM | Link to this
Arby’s has 5 for $5 - now that’s a deal!
By Boogie
May 15, 2008 4:39 PM | Link to this
I’d come go out to eat, if they added a smoking room for diners.
By bob Wehada
May 15, 2008 4:11 PM | Link to this
As Cheap as some of you sound, it’s probably better that you don’t go out to eat, you moan about the cost and then stiff the server. Try working in a restaurant and dealing with cheap/whiney people all day, you’d instantly become a better tipper
By fred
May 15, 2008 4:03 PM | Link to this
Typically, we eat on the cheap and therefore save money. Every now and then when we do go out to dinner I’m more bothered about terrible service than prices. If gas prices are keeping you from going out to dinner, you really can’t afford to be eating out in the first place. Rice and beans, beans and rice - Dave Ramsey.
By George
May 15, 2008 3:59 PM | Link to this
Give me a break, places like Jay’s and Flemings gouge the customer. There is no reason to charge such astronomical prices for fish and wine. Please! Places like Doubleday’s in Centerville has QUALITY food and very fair prices for all the food you get. Restaurants are like the cable company commercials… raise the prices and offer less quality of product…. that is the backwards way of doing business.
By Katie
May 15, 2008 3:53 PM | Link to this
Husband and I went out for lunch today, each got a sandwhich with fries along with an appetizer and a bowl of soup, spent almost $40. That was for only two people!!! How do families with several children go out for dinner anymore?? $40 for us is almost a tank of gas in our vehicles and maybe two meals at home. Just to go to the grocery anymore and pick up items to make a complete meal takes $30. Things are getting out of control!!
By Courtney
May 15, 2008 3:52 PM | Link to this
As long as you try to live within your means, it shouldn’t stop you from doing the things you like to do in your spare time. I think this recession is good in ONE small way. It’s teaching people to re-think how they spend their money. I feel the pinch too, but I took steps to save money and most people are too stubborn to try that..ok I’m off my soapbox…
By Bill
May 15, 2008 3:07 PM | Link to this
I am just not eating out anymore. After not going in a while I went to Bob Evans with my wife and son for his birthday in April and spent$23 including tip for three average breakfasts (I even brought my own coffee). That is ridiculous! The price of eggs went up from 10 to 20 cents/egg but don’t know why the breafast went up $2. So am I paying a fuel surcharge for the restaurant and paying record gas on my own to get to the restaurant now? I am not going out again even to fast food anymore :(
By Amy
May 15, 2008 3:02 PM | Link to this
My family and I are eating out less. We are also staying in town to do so. The cost of gas is too much to go out of town to the places we would rather eat. Sometimes rather than go somewhere we like less, it’s just as easy to stay home and cook.