I agree with RE. Anytime you throw a 50% off coupon you're either new and trying to draw customers or business isn't as good as you hoped and are trying to get people to come back. There's no other reason to offer a Groupon.

 

Yeah, let's take your guys word for it and not the guy who can see their bottomline...

What did the coupon provide 50% off of? From my understanding, they've always wanted to see better business on the "restaurant" end of things. Was it 50% off food, 50% off of a lunch bill, 50% off before 9:00pm, or just plain old 50% off?

 

I suspect you're right. Plus, what business doesn't try to expand their customer base (and I suspect in Hofbrau's case there are plenty of people who aren't interested in the beer but would love their cuisine and thus may not think to come in the door otherwise)? I know the Groupon business model has been trashed in the press, but I'm sure businesses have had different results with them. I think it's a little over the top to assume they are failing or unprofitable because of trying this form of advertising.

Yeah, let's take your guys word for it and not the guy who can see their bottomline...

 

So their bottom line is so good that they are offering "thank you 50%" discounts?

I suspect you're right. Plus, what business doesn't try to expand their customer base (and I suspect in Hofbrau's case there are plenty of people who aren't interested in the beer but would love their cuisine and thus may not think to come in the door otherwise)? I know the Groupon business model has been trashed in the press, but I'm sure businesses have had different results with them. I think it's a little over the top to assume they are failing or unprofitable because of trying this form of advertising.

 

Who said "failing" or "unprofitable?"

I for one can't see going across the bridge to Cincinnati just to have a beer ,when the Hofbrau House is conviently located in Newport . Incidently a micro-Brewery that I helped to build and one that my brother-in-laws cousin is part owner . I might try it if I go to a Reds or Bengals game but only then .

Who said "failing" or "unprofitable?"

 

Are we splitting hairs here?

So their bottom line is so good that they are offering "thank you 50%" discounts?

 

They aren't hurting on alcohol sales. The coupons are for the restaurant portion which has always played second fiddle in their business plan.

Are we splitting hairs here?

 

 

I'm not. Someone said the Hofbra is always packed. Someone else said they have sent out 50% off promotions. Can you be "always packed" and still feel the need to offer such a promotion? I'd say their business is "good" and "profitable" but if they're offering such big coupons they're not satisfied with the crowds. Doesn't that seem logical?

They aren't hurting on alcohol sales. The coupons are for the restaurant portion which has always played second fiddle in their business plan.

 

So they're not satisfied with their bottom line.

 

That was obvious by the coupon offering.

I'm not. Someone said the Hofbra is always packed. Someone else said they have sent out 50% off promotions. Can you be "always packed" and still feel the need to offer such a promotion? I'd say their business is "good" and "profitable" but if they're offering such big coupons they're not satisfied with the crowds. Doesn't that seem logical?

 

Is any business ever satisfied? They should be growing and growing. Expanding the customer base. Maybe that Groupon can only be used during the week? To assume they are struggling just because they offered a discounted coupon is silly.

I'm not. Someone said the Hofbra is always packed. Someone else said they have sent out 50% off promotions. Can you be "always packed" and still feel the need to offer such a promotion? I'd say their business is "good" and "profitable" but if they're offering such big coupons they're not satisfied with the crowds. Doesn't that seem logical?

 

That could be said about any business who advertises. Even Apple advertises. I'm just not buying the idea that a business would only use Groupon in desperation. Maybe some do, but it could also be a stab at a market that isn't reached through TV or radio spots or a market who needs more enticing to come in.

I'm not. Someone said the Hofbra is always packed. Someone else said they have sent out 50% off promotions. Can you be "always packed" and still feel the need to offer such a promotion? I'd say their business is "good" and "profitable" but if they're offering such big coupons they're not satisfied with the crowds. Doesn't that seem logical?

 

Doesn't sound like the crowds are the issue either. They just want those people to eat more than just liquid bread while they're there.

So they're not satisfied with their bottom line.

 

That was obvious by the coupon offering.

 

So you equate always trying to grow the business as not being satisfied?

 

Please tell me, is any business ever "satisfied" with profits?

 

They aren't hurting, there has been no decline now that the "newness" has worn off. That's a fact, and was the original point of the conversation.

 

You can keep trying to spin it anyway you'd like, but you're wrong no matter how you say it.

That could be said about any business who advertises. Even Apple advertises. I'm just not buying the idea that a business would only use Groupon in desperation. Maybe some do, but it could also be a stab at a market that isn't reached through TV or radio spots or a market who needs more enticing to come in.

 

There is a difference between keeping your name out there (advertising) and offering your product at 50% off.

 

Again, I'm not saying Hofbra is struggling or unprofitable. Maybe they only offered it during a slow part of their season but they're not "always packed" or they wouldn't need it.

Doesn't sound like the crowds are the issue either. They just want those people to eat more than just liquid bread while they're there.

 

Bingo. My friends and I never eat the food there. We only drink. When they give us a 50% off coupon on food, we're a heck of a lot more likely to to buy a pretzel or two. The coupons aren't bringing us in the door, but they're getting us to spend more money.