I’m torn between agreeing he abused the “all you can eat” concept, and the fact that people who eat less than average aren’t given a discount. Overall I think this guy is an outlier and should be factored into the business plan.
Generally guys like this are factored into the business plan, but sometimes people try to outsmart (or in this case outeat) the restaurant.
I remember reading once that crab legs were often a loss leader food. The restaurant offered crab legs to pull people in despite being too expensive for the buffet. Most people ate a few and then filled up on cheaper foods. Some people however would just eat crab legs.
I remember another example of this where a customer stayed from lunch until dinner. Not only did lunch cost less, but now that’s two meals. The fix there was a three hour table limit. Basically affects no one, except the exceptions.
My friend got him beat. He once went to Golden Carroll for breakfast they finally kicked him out during the dinner service. Only reason he got away with it so long is he would switch tables also tip wait staff real good. Besides doubt they gave a shit.
But management sure hell did. He almost got banned. But when me and brother threaten not to ever return if he was they relented. Besides by then he was to broke to come without us paying so that wasn’t ever going happen again.
Yet it is cool crazy story and amazing when you learn it true.
I see nothing wrong with a time limit - it just enforces the idea that you’re paying for one meal. But the more I think about it, normal restaurants serve you the amount they want you to eat. All you can eat restaurants offer a distinctly different product, which it seems like they should be prepared to deliver even when it’s occasionally more than they prefer.
Sensible time limit seems fine, though, I see it implemented in a nearby buffet like that, and I think they have time slots in schedule, which allows them to clean up/refresh food in between the time slots, too
Golden Carroll does it All You Can Eat breakfast, lunch, or dinner. Basically eat all you want but if they switch from lunch to dinner your time is up.
But Chinese restaurant are only opened (at least around here) from noon to 8pm. And never seen sign accept once in a sushi one that had a sign for 3 hour limit. Which to me was more than fair.
That what these places should have. Set time limits clearly posted.
I’m torn between agreeing he abused the “all you can eat” concept, and the fact that people who eat less than average aren’t given a discount. Overall I think this guy is an outlier and should be factored into the business plan.
They have restaurants where people who eat less are charged less and those who eat more are charged more. It’s called a la carte.
There are also buffets where you can be charged based on how much you eat , they’re called “buffet by weight” or by the plate.
If you don’t want people to eat all they can eat, don’t open an all you can eat restaurant.
Generally guys like this are factored into the business plan, but sometimes people try to outsmart (or in this case outeat) the restaurant.
I remember reading once that crab legs were often a loss leader food. The restaurant offered crab legs to pull people in despite being too expensive for the buffet. Most people ate a few and then filled up on cheaper foods. Some people however would just eat crab legs.
I remember another example of this where a customer stayed from lunch until dinner. Not only did lunch cost less, but now that’s two meals. The fix there was a three hour table limit. Basically affects no one, except the exceptions.
My friend got him beat. He once went to Golden Carroll for breakfast they finally kicked him out during the dinner service. Only reason he got away with it so long is he would switch tables also tip wait staff real good. Besides doubt they gave a shit. But management sure hell did. He almost got banned. But when me and brother threaten not to ever return if he was they relented. Besides by then he was to broke to come without us paying so that wasn’t ever going happen again.
Yet it is cool crazy story and amazing when you learn it true.
I see nothing wrong with a time limit - it just enforces the idea that you’re paying for one meal. But the more I think about it, normal restaurants serve you the amount they want you to eat. All you can eat restaurants offer a distinctly different product, which it seems like they should be prepared to deliver even when it’s occasionally more than they prefer.
Sensible time limit seems fine, though, I see it implemented in a nearby buffet like that, and I think they have time slots in schedule, which allows them to clean up/refresh food in between the time slots, too
Golden Carroll does it All You Can Eat breakfast, lunch, or dinner. Basically eat all you want but if they switch from lunch to dinner your time is up.
But Chinese restaurant are only opened (at least around here) from noon to 8pm. And never seen sign accept once in a sushi one that had a sign for 3 hour limit. Which to me was more than fair.
That what these places should have. Set time limits clearly posted.
I would say that they should be required to let him finish his meal, but they can refuse to let him back again.
Accordingly, should people who don’t eat much ask for a discount?
No, the terms were clear before they started eating. They should probably just skip those buffets and go to a nice restaurant.
Likewise, if the terms are “all you can eat” they should let the guy do that.
100%. If they don’t want him back, that’s okay for me. But for this meal, he paid for it. Or they could give him back his money, fine as well.