Entertainment Book

[jwm]

I am just about to open a restaurant and was wondering whether it was worthwhile registering with the Entertainment Book to drive some business in.

Does anyone have any experience of using Entertainment? What does it typically cost? Also I see on there site that they advertise that you have access to data about you restaurant - what sort of information do they provide and what do I need to do at my end to receive that information?

Thanks for your help

[iBcookin]

For the last several years I managed a small ski resort. Up to last year (when somebody else made an executive decision without telling me) we participated in the EB, with coupons for BOGO tube pass and lift pass. Would routinely bring in 30-50 redeemed tickets on a weekend. My logic was it brought in at least one paying customer and hopefully they bought something at the snack bar during their visit. Also got exposure to people that may not have known about us (we were very small)

As I recall, it didn't cost us anything to be in the book. They made their money selling the book, not the advertisements. Couldn't speak to their site and the information you can provide. I don't remember if that was available at the time.

I know I used to buy the book and use the coupons in it, but then my family will attest to the fact that I am a fanatical coupon user, so I might not be the norm. On the other hand, you are calling attention to your restaurant by being in the book, if people don't remember the coupon (or use the coupon) but remember your name, so much the better.

Good Luck with your new restaurant!

Linda

[cheflayne]

No, never, a thousands times over negative, nada, nyet,... wait... what was I sugarcoating it, sorry. My experience with the Entertainment Book is that you get people in the restaurant that you will see exactly one time and one time only. So while on the surface, it doesn't cost anything to be in the book, it does because you are giving something away. Not only that, but if someone else were at that table paying full price, you are losing double.

[iBcookin]

jwm -

Do a search in the forums for Entertainment Book - there was a thread discussing this previously which you may find helpful.

Cheflayne has a point about people coming in solely to use the coupon, I have done this as well, but if you are just starting out, in my opinion, you need to get bodies in there to find out that you are a really great place to eat. That initial experience may tell me whether I want to go back or not. And yes, they may be taking up space that somebody else may be paying full price for . . . but, for a startup, I would think a full restaurant would be a plus. Then again, I am not a restaurant owner.

Linda

[lhabitat]

My experience with Entertainment as a coupon user as well as a vendor is that the value depends on the type of restaurant, location, and structure of the coupon. If you are an upper end reastaurant and limit it to a dollar amount for two entrees, chances are the beverages and posibly desserts will make up for the coupon and fill a table. You could exclude weekends and holidays, if that is when you are busy. If you are a family reastaurant and do a free entree, perhaps insisting that it be the purchase of another entree and two beverages will offset cost. As property owners, we have dealt with different grades of restuarants and strongly encourage any coupon or advertising, especially if it is in a book sold by local schools, non-profits, etc. We also are avid coupon users and do return if the food and service is good, even if location is a bit off the beaten path. Your location, price range, and target clientele are factors in determining the advantage. Best Wishes!