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.

 

I think you're glossing over what a Groupon actually is. In order to get the discount, people have to purchase the deal, which means people have to actually enter the place or lose their money. I think it could be an effective way to put people in seats over traditional coupons or "happy hours." They might break even on the deal, but if even a quarter of the people like the food, atmosphere, whatever, and end up coming back then it would be a success for them. They might even find that it is ineffective or not worth the trouble and not do business with Groupon again. I think you all are making some pretty big jumps over their use of the Groupon.

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.

 

I said on the weekends and yes they are packed on the weekends. Monday-Thursday is a different ballgame.

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.

 

You're either satisfied with where you're at and feel you don't need to make investments to grow your business OR you're not satisfied and you try to grow it. Business 101.

 

I'm not sure why you think I'm trying to "spin" anything. I'm simply pointing out that "always packed" and "50% off" do not go hand in hand.

 

I also haven't argued anything about a "decline" so I'm not sure how that plays into this. However, I will see there is a difference between "no decline" and "satisfactory growth." The 50% tells me they are not happy with their growth.

 

I

I think you're glossing over what a Groupon actually is. In order to get the discount, people have to purchase the deal, which means people have to actually enter the place or lose their money. I think it could be an effective way to put people in seats over traditional coupons or "happy hours." They might break even on the deal, but if even a quarter of the people like the food, atmosphere, whatever, and end up coming back then it would be a success for them. They might even find that it is ineffective or not worth the trouble and not do business with Groupon again. I think you all are making some pretty big jumps over their use of the Groupon.

 

Could I be in regards to Hofbra? Yes. Not in general though.

You're either satisfied with where you're at and feel you don't need to make investments to grow your business OR you're not satisfied and you try to grow it. Business 101.

 

I'm not sure why you think I'm trying to "spin" anything. I'm simply pointing out that "always packed" and "50% off" do not go hand in hand.

 

I also haven't argued anything about a "decline" so I'm not sure how that plays into this. However, I will see there is a difference between "no decline" and "satisfactory growth." The 50% tells me they are not happy with their growth.

 

I

 

Seeing as the point of the conversation started when someone said they were having a decline, and you said "I agree with RE" it would appear that you do feel there is a decline. They've been open for 10 years or so and are still experiencing the same level if not more success than original. So that tells me you're wrong.

Could I be in regards to Hofbra? Yes. Not in general though.

 

How so? I'm sure that style of marketing works better for some businesses and less so for others. I've read reports of some businesses seeing success with it and others getting burned with it.

 

I imagine most people in NKY have heard of Hofbrau, so maybe they are trying to pry people into there who haven't tried it (or the food) yet. I can see where it could be smart marketing and don't understand why it is automatically assumed it is desperation.

Seeing as the point of the conversation started when someone said they were having a decline, and you said "I agree with RE" it would appear that you do feel there is a decline. They've been open for 10 years or so and are still experiencing the same level if not more success than original. So that tells me you're wrong.

 

 

Read the entire statement by RomanEmpire and you'll see what I was agreeing with. I never said anything about a "decline." Lasting 10 years tells me they run a successful business. I never argued that they didn't. I appreciate you supporting your client but it would help if you replied to what I actually say.

Without being specific to Hofbra so as to not upset UKMF...

 

I have used Groupon offerings. In general if I haven't been there already but use the Groupon I rarely go back. I do go back to the places that I was already frequenting so what did that establishment get out of the Groupon offering? Am I the exception? I think a lot of people see the offering and respond mainly to places they already like. If I already like it I likely already go there somewhat regularly. Why offer me 50% off when I was already paying 100%?

 

I imagine most people in NKY have heard of Hofbrau, so maybe they are trying to pry people into there who haven't tried it (or the food) yet. I can see where it could be smart marketing and don't understand why it is automatically assumed it is desperation.

 

I would love to know how many people who respond to a Hofbra Groupon have never been there before. Hard to measure but it would be interesting.

Without being specific to Hofbra so as to not upset UKMF...

 

I have used Groupon offerings. In general if I haven't been there already but use the Groupon I rarely go back. I do go back to the places that I was already frequenting so what did that establishment get out of the Groupon offering? Am I the exception? I think a lot of people see the offering and respond mainly to places they already like. If I already like it I likely already go there somewhat regularly. Why offer me 50% off when I was already paying 100%?

 

A lot of businesses are going to lose on customers like you, but there are plenty others who might be enticed to try out a place due to the discount (and in Hofbrau's case maybe to try out the food at a place they already like). I don't know what Hofbrau's business model is, but they might not be losing out as much on the discount as the relatively large number would suggest. If they are looking to bring new faces into the door and are confident enough of them will become repeat visitors then it could be a savvy strategy. If they make the majority of their profits from alcohol sales, then a hit on the food may be well worth it. It may not be too. But from sitting on the outside and looking in it's hard to say they are doing it out of desperation.

But from sitting on the outside and looking in it's hard to say they are doing it out of desperation.

 

Again, never once was the concept of "desperation" mentioned by me.

A lot of businesses are going to lose on customers like you, but there are plenty others who might be enticed to try out a place due to the discount (and in Hofbrau's case maybe to try out the food at a place they already like). I don't know what Hofbrau's business model is, but they might not be losing out as much on the discount as the relatively large number would suggest. If they are looking to bring new faces into the door and are confident enough of them will become repeat visitors then it could be a savvy strategy. If they make the majority of their profits from alcohol sales, then a hit on the food may be well worth it. It may not be too. But from sitting on the outside and looking in it's hard to say they are doing it out of desperation.

 

Since restaurants as a general rule institute a 400 percent markup on food costs, I don't think offering a half-off deal is going to hurt them too bad. They make the overwhelming majority of their profits off beer sales (and probably aren't hurting on souvenirs either), so anything to generate more profit on the food line is a good thing.

Again, never once was the concept of "desperation" mentioned by me.

 

I gather that from the general tone of yours and RE's posts.

I gather that from the general tone of yours and RE's posts.

 

I won't speak for RE.

 

You would be incorrect on tone interpretation for me.

Without being specific to Hofbra so as to not upset UKMF...

 

I have used Groupon offerings. In general if I haven't been there already but use the Groupon I rarely go back. I do go back to the places that I was already frequenting so what did that establishment get out of the Groupon offering? Am I the exception? I think a lot of people see the offering and respond mainly to places they already like. If I already like it I likely already go there somewhat regularly. Why offer me 50% off when I was already paying 100%?

 

You're correct that a large percentage of the people that would use the Groupon offerings are already customers of Hofbrahaus. However a majority of their customers are customers of alcohol only, not food. The Groupon offering is strictly for food. If these current customers see the Groupon, and use it, they're spending MORE money than they normally are because now they're purchasing food IN ADDITION to alcohol. It's really quite simple. Not sure why you aren't understanding it.