Dear Foodies....

I own a restaurant that seems to have a pretty good following and I'm thinking about adding a dining area next door or moving to an existing location that might fit better for growth. I think that it could triple my sales. I have a question for you.

I feel like my food is great but it does take longer to cook than other places. My cheesesteak takes the longest to make. Close to 20 minutes. If I'm busy, maybe a little longer. That's why I recommend calling it in and picking it up when you order from here. If this happened in a dining room area, would you get mad at how long it takes to be served? I know I don't like waiting that long when I go out. Maybe I should just stick to what I'm doing because i don't want to be the place with bad service?

Thanks for your input and thank you all for helping me spread the word since I've been open. It really means the world to me.

-Danny Mac

Danny,

I believe it's a valid question , but personally , I don't mind waiting when the end product is worth a wait; especially knowing it takes longer to cook certain dishes. I'm not certain the length it takes to cook an average pizza from Impellizarizi's these days, but remember going and waiting 30 minutes because of the dish. However, it was common sense to people dinning there a 5 inch thick pizza would take a longer baking time. Plus, all the signs on the wall saying the exact thing about cooking times. "Cooking times vary by dish. Please allow time....etc".

That's the reason someone invented appetizers.

Danny, ".

That's the reason someone invented appetizers.

Wow, that's a great idea! I don't know what kind of a hood system you have but if you could get a small table top electric fry-o-lator to add to your oven, then you could do things like cheese stix, arancini(fried rice balls),chicken fingers, pizza rolls and offer fries as well. Although given the choice, I'd still prefer the Grippos BBQ chips.

I think offering a few salads would be a good option as well.

Going from the two small tables and the 99.9% carry-out business you have now, to a full service location changes the rules you play by now pretty significantly.

IMHO, Most of the general public doesn't like to wait for anything at all, ever.
But if you offer something to nibble on while they wait(especially if they have kids)their patence goes a little further. But I wouldn't change the perfection that is your cheesesteak for the sake of speed, ever!

A good person to seek advice from would be Shawn from CPC

All this talk has made me hungry. I'll be calling in my cheese steak order around noon or so for lunch today!

What about a little disclaimer on the menu? Something about "this takes longer to cook" that would let patrons know that if they're in a hurry, maybe they should order something else. I swear I've seen something similar at another restaurant.

Sounds like an adventure for Danny Mac's

I think its a great plan Danny, the biggest issue will be training your staff of course.

Decide if you're going to offer at the table service or counter service.

The timing issue is not a big deal, you just have to make everyone aware of it.

If you'd like to send me a PM, I'd be happy to answer any questions you may have.

shawn

What about a little disclaimer on the menu? Something about "this takes longer to cook" that would let patrons know that if they're in a hurry, maybe they should order something else. I swear I've seen something similar at another restaurant.

I have seen that particular wording recently (I think it was on a Fried Chicken cooked to order item). Danny, for one of your Cheesesteaks, I wouldn't mind the wait!

I quite enjoyed the one I had for lunch today!
Thanks Danny!

Danny, People who know the product will not mind waiting. But that is kind of limiting. The real answer is how much of your business is from being a destination, as opposed to people who stumble in the door to check you out

Danny, A word of advice, I would be very very careful. I have branched out on two different occasions thinking that I would triple my takings and failed both times. At the most, I would consider adding the dining area next door and not relocating. Getting involved in another lease and all the expenses entailed must be given a lot of thought. Also, from ordering and picking up your own food, to having servers is a whole different ball game. Just an opinion.

As to the time factor. I find people are prepared to wait, I have it written on my menu that all items are prepared fresh at the time of ordering. My fish and chips takes 8 minutes from start to finish. I have people come to the drive thru to order it and I say if anyone pulls up behind you can you park and I'll bring it out to you. They are fine with that. Just curious though, why does it take 20 minutes to cook a cheesesteak?

Good luck with whatever you decide.

Danny, I've been in several times and waited for a cheesesteak. Seemed more like ten minutes or so to me than 20 minutes. Didn't seem like it was anywhere close to 20 minutes but maybe I'm wrong.