The Big Money behind Tiny Foods

Bruce Horovitz at USA Today reported that Houlihan’s just introduced 23 small-plate items and California Pizza Kitchen rolled out small cravings items that top at $4.99. In the past several years, restaurants have been trying to put small items like mini burgers, bite-size dessert, and sampler platter on the menu. “Downsizing” becomes another big trend in restaurants because tiny foods can bring in big bucks.

Downsizing items can appeal to customers in a variety of ways. For example:
1. Smaller portion can make “unhealthy” choice become less “harmful” --- people may feel less “guilty” or more comfortable by having small portion of snacks or dessert.
2. Smaller portion often means a smaller price tag --- this sounds perfect during recession.
3. Customers may feel more willing to try new bite-size items --- finally, people don’t need to find somebody to share food or dessert with them.

Of course, down-sizing does not mean “cheap.” Plate presentation and the quality of food are still very important. The best-selling tiny item at Houlihan’s is the $3.50 mini burgers. What are the most popular downsizing items in your restaurant?

References:
Freep.com: http://tinyurl.com/linchikwok04262010
The picture was copied from: http://tinyurl.com/linchikwok04262010P

Comments

Luxury vs. Millennials and Their Technology: The Ritz-Carlton (By Julia Shorr)

Embodying the finest luxury experience, The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company, LLC has been established since 1983. In 1998, Marriott International purchased the brand offering it more opportunity for growth while being independently owned and operated. They are known for their enhanced service level as the motto states, “Ladies and Gentlemen serving Ladies and Gentlemen”. The luxury brand now carries 97 hotels and resorts internationally and is attempting to keep the aspects of luxury while keeping up with the trends of the technologically improving generations. The Varying Demographics of the Target Market The Ritz-Carlton’s typical target market includes: business executives, corporate, leisure travelers, typically middle-aged persons and elders, and families from the upper and upper-middle class section of society . This infers a large range of types of travelers in which all are similar in that they are not opposed to spending extra for the luxurious ambiance. However, with

The challenges of SB 93 (California Senate Bill No. 93) will impose on the employers and their human resource management team (by Brittany Schaffer)

The COVID-19 pandemic started in early 2020, and it has caused massive changes within a short period of time. One of the most rememberable effects of the COVID-19 pandemic was that businesses had to come to a complete halt, forcing them to lay off employees. California's unemployment rates went up. Now that the stay-at-home orders have lifted, people start to come out. Businesses are now reopening, looking to rehire their laid-off employees. Before the pandemic, employers had the option of recalling only a certain number of laid-off employees they would want to rehire based on employees' job performance. That option had been changed after Governor Gavin Newsome signed into law - Senate Bill 93, which went into effect on April 16th, 2021. The California Senate Bill No. 93 (SB 93) According to SB 93, companies in specific industries, mainly the hospitality industry, have the obligation to provide job opportunities in written form to qualified employees being laid off due to COVI

Is It OK for Hotel Staff to Wear Piercings and Tattoos?

Time has changed. I see more and more college students wearing piercings and tattoos nowadays, but is it OK for hotel staff to wear piercings and tattoos? The answer is “no, no, no.” According a report at USAToday.com, customers across the board do not want to see any hotel workers with pierced eyebrow, pierced tongue, tattooed arm, or nose ring. Some may argue that tattooed and pierced workers may seem more acceptable in edgy boutique hotels as compared to the big franchised hotels, but the survey results did not find any differences among a variety of lodging products. Many respondents believe people who wear visible tattoos and piercings are taking a high risk of their professional lives. If you stay in a hotel, do you mind being served by tattooed and/or pierced staff? What if you are the one who makes the hiring decision? References: USAToday.com: http://tinyurl.com/linchikwok08042010 Picture was downloaded from http://tinyurl.com/linchikwok08042010P

Linchi Kwok, Ph.D.

Search This Blog