Value Promotions

The Notion of Value: it's Importance to Restaurants and Customers

With the sluggish and uncertain economy and the rising costs of gasoline, many businesses are strategizing over ways to retain customer loyalty and patronage. Austin area restaurants are certainly no strangers to this dilemma.

But with supply costs rising, restaurants are simply not in a position to slash menu price points across the board. So what it comes down to is finding ways to remind customers that they are appreciated and valued, even while fighting the battle of rising costs. We spoke to a number of Austin restaurants and they are most concerned about offering value to their customers. Here's what some are doing.

Mangieri's is currently running the following specials:
Paesano Pizza Deal where you get your 2nd medium for $7.99 (equal or lesser value), 2nd Large for $9.99 (equal or lesser value) and 2nd X-Large for $11.99 (equal or lesser value). They have 1/2 price bottles of wine Monday-Wednesday. They also run a lunch special Monday- Friday from 11am-3pm. You have your choice of a personal size pizza, calzone or stromboli (all with up to 3 toppings), sandwich and chips or a pasta with a piece of garlic cheese bread. All are served with a house salad and a drink for $7.85.

Bellagio. Starting Sept. 2nd, Monday-Friday 5-6pm, 15% off food.

Iguana Grill. Happy hour 3-6pm: 1/2 price Appetizers.

Azul Tequila has happy hour deals from 4-7pm: Appetizers 1/2 off, buy 2 drinks then drinks are $1, beer is $0.50. Free refills on the Jumborita.

Visit El Greco with a friend and buy 1 Gyro, and you'll get the second at 50% off (not good with any other offer). Daily lunch specials from 7.99 to 9.99, most come with a drink and a side. All UT, St. Edwards, and ACC Students Faculty and Staff get 15% off with valid ID. Free parking. Happy hour $2.50 bottled beer, $5 Glass of Wine: 2pm-7pm Monday-Friday.

Austin Java is offering "Kids Eat Free All Day" Tuesday at all locations with purchase of an adult entree.

ZuZu is offering "Kids Eat Free" Monday through Wednesday nights after 5:30 pm. Two kid items free with the purchase of an adult platter. In house only, no take out and not valid with any other offers.

Chez Zee, for example, is offering five good bottles of wine for $10, each day of the week. We're not talking Boone's Farm here: rather wines like JP Tinto from Portugal, Papio Chardonnay from California, and Cruz de Piedra Garnacha from Spain just to name a few.

Or how about The Bakehouse? Owner Carl Zapfe is offering an 8-oz. Prime Rib with soup or salad, potato and vegetable every weekend for only $12.99? The Bakehouse recently celebrated its 25 year anniversary and has achieved almost iconic status in South Austin as a genuine "joint".

Another coup for seniors can be found at the delightfully eclectic Veranda off Andeson Lane. Adults 59 and over receive a 20% discount off all dinner entrees and a 30% discount off Sunday brunch. Now that's value!

Downtown in the Warehouse district, Imperia is doing 2-1 Sushi each night until 8pm. Chef Tatsu is knocking them dead here with a variety of rolls and nigiri sushi. Had some of his rolls the other night and they were the bomb!

In a serious stab at value, one of our favorites, Louie's 106 is discounting every bottle of wine (regardless of price) by 50% on Sunday evening. Also, on weekdays, happy hour has half-price appetizers and glasses of wines and cocktails for $1.00. That's right! You read it correctly.

McCormick and Schmick's at 4th and Congress, while working to hold regular menu prices steady as a value to customers, has really ramped up the value in the happy hour bar menu. Here's what you can get from 4-7pm for $1.95: Cheese Quesadillas, Debbie's Good 'ole Chicken Wings, a Half-Pound Cheeseburger with Fries, Mediterranean Hummus, Flat Bread Pizza, Bruschetta, and a Trio of Satays.

Cool River on Parmer Lane is running a 22-24 oz. bone-in prime rib Thurs-Sat evening with a wedge salad and choice of dessert and a side for $29.95. This represents a 30% savings and is good through Labor Day. They are also doing a half-price appetizer special nights from 10pm to 1am!

The bottom line is this: Most customers don't expect restaurants to slash prices across the board. They know that's unrealistic. Heck, even holding prices steady is a real struggle as food costs rise incrementally. But as good business people have known for years, a little "value" goes a long way in building good will and patronage.