Bringing down the cost of restaurant bills

[angwill]

Right, the restaurant doesn't make any money when a patron orders tap water. They actually lose a little money. I've explained that, several times.

When the patron brings their own flavoring - not (just) sweetener to the restaurant and adds it to that water while the restaurant sells a variety of soft drinks, they're then not just costing that restaurant that little bit of money/cost of doing business, they're also depriving that restaurant of revenue.

It's great that you say you tip well, but that's not indicated as one of the original goals:


Sweeteners would be sugar, Equal, saccharine, Truvia... Crystal Light isn't a sweetener. It's a powdered soft drink. And Chili's does offer at least one decaffeinated/artificially sweetened soft drink, so claiming you bring your own because most restaurants [you patronize] can't/won't provide a drink that suits your needs seems more like an attempt to justify your actions than anything.

Oh come on now all the restaurants I have been to give you a cup of water as soon as you sit down anyway so the restaurant is spending the, oh so much money and time, to give you the water if you drink it or not.

Why does it seem to bother you, and your morals, so much that you worry about what revenue a restaurant, you don't own or know the owners of, is deprived of? If it bothers you oh so much that you think it is so tacky and ripping off the restaurants of America when someone puts something in their water then stop eating out or reading threads about such a thing.

This thread is just getting so darn childish. Those that put flavor in their water are not going to stop because it is against some stranger on a message boards morals no matter how much you try and explain the way you feel about it. They simply don't care. Those that don't put flavor in their water and see it as so morally wrong are not going to change the way they feel about it either. So be it, there are so many more important things to voice opinoins on and fight about than water.

 

[tasha99]

This is the part I am not getting.

Person A - orders water, drinks water

Person B - orders water, adds flavor, drinks flavored water

How does what person B does, cost the restaurant any more money than person A. Both ordered and received water?

You seem to be under the impression that if Person B did not add flavor to the water they would purchase a soft drink. There is nothing to indicate that this is true. And in fact, my guess, is that they would still only order water.

Person A and B cost the restaurant the same. And person B is doing no more damage than the person who orders water but takes a sip from a spouse's drink. Where's the outrage for that? Since restaurant sodas are generally bottomless nowadays, how is that any different from tasting off someone else's plate at a buffet you didn't buy? (I'm not knocking tasting another drink; just pointing out it's no more virtuous than bringing a flavor packet.)

I would not do the flavoring thing, but since I bring an entire can of soda in my purse when I go to the movies, I have no room to judge. (Actually quit going to the movies, though, due to making a home theater and hating the company of loud strangers and $6 popcorn. That's a different thread, though.)

 

[disneychrista]

If they just order water, that's a cost of doing business. The restaurant accepts that.
When they order water and turn it into a soft drink - something the restaurant sells - they're negatively affecting the restaurant's revenue.

You have yet to explain HOW it affects the restaurants revenue more than simply ordering water. You still seem to assume they would purchase a soft drink if they didn't add to flavoring. I do not believe that would be the case.

We are not going to the bringing other items. I am only asking how the simple fact off adding a flavor packet to water. Nothing more. How does this cost the restaurant any more than the glass of water.

 

[pampam]

slightly off topic.

I was in a car group of some ladies and we decided to stop for lunch. We went into the restaurant and one of the ladies took a sandwich out of her purse and started to eat. I was shocked, and embarrased beyond belief! It's a small town, and I know people there. I hope they didn't judge me with her. I've never gone to a restaurant with her since. That happened about 30 years ago, and I've never forgotten. I'm as frugal as the next person, and try to scrimp if I can, but that was way over the top, IMHO.

 

[Jenny3]

Really, the difference is that Person A wants water and orders it.
Person B wants lemonade, but is too cheap to buy it so they bring it themselves.

It may seem like a 'little' thing to most people, but it does cost the restaurant money as the logic is Person B would pay for a lemonade if they didn't sneak one in their purse. Actually, looking at the OP, it is not just one person - it's an entire family doing this. And telling others to do the same. Perhaps they WOULD have ordered water, but I doubt it if they are going to the trouble of sneaking packets in.

What will eventually happen is that the restaurant will start charging for water, changing the rules for everyone because of a few. Bad apple ruins the cart once again.

 

[MissManda]

If they just order water, that's a cost of doing business. The restaurant accepts that.
When they order water and turn it into a soft drink - something the restaurant sells - they're negatively affecting the restaurant's revenue.
Bringing your own Crystal Light is identical to bringing your own preferred brand/version of soda that the restaurant doesn't sell. Or your own salad, or soup, or appetizer, or what's next? Bringing your own entrée to save money or because you don't eat ____?

I'm not sure how adding crystal light to water makes it a soda? To me, soda is a carbonated drink such as Pepsi, Coke, Sprite, etc. I know most restaurants also serve some type of Lemonade or Fruit Punch but these are usually very syrupy, sugary and thick. Adding Crystal Light or a few drops of Mio to a glass of tap water does not turn that drink into a "soda". Its flavored water. The two are no where near the same.

As I mentioned in an earlier post, I have done this when the water I receive doesn't taste that well (sometimes tap water tastes chemically). If the restaurant has a problem with me doing that, they should say something. The fact of the matter is though, I prefer water. I only order water. So, no, I"m not costing the restaurant any more money because I added flavoring to that water. (Actually, I don't want to be a liar on this one. If I know that a place has fresh lemonade, I will sometimes order that instead of water. But it has be fresh and not the syrupy kind that you get from a soda fountain. Otherwise its water.).

I have seen other people take a whole bowl of lemons and empty out all the sugar on their table to make their own lemonade. Haven't they essentially done the same thing? In this case they have cost the company money because they used their lemons and their sugar packets to make a drink that they didn't pay for. To me, that is worse than adding a little of my own flavoring. What are your thoughts on that practice?


I for one, don't understand why these places think that upping the price of soda is the best way to make a profit. The prices are just insanely high. I would rather pay a little extra for my entree so that they make a profit on that. Honestly, my husband who is a huge soda drinker is almost to his breaking point that he thinks he will start ordering water because its ridiculous to spend $3 or more on a glass of soda. That decision isn't even a budget decision for him (we can very much afford the glass of soda) but its the principal of the matter. At some point, there will be a tipping point where consumers just aren't willing to spend a certain amount of money on an item. They will start ordering water or they will they will stay home.

 

[eliza61]

You have yet to explain HOW it affects the restaurants revenue more than simply ordering water. You still seem to assume they would purchase a soft drink if they didn't add to flavoring. I do not believe that would be the case.

We are not going to the bringing other items. I am only asking how the simple fact off adding a flavor packet to water. Nothing more. How does this cost the restaurant any more than the glass of water.

If you go back and look at a few of my earlier responses it will give you idea of how restaurants operate but to paraphrase.

Restaurant owners calculate sales on space, number of people and average dollar amount they spend.
At my bar, I don't want the guy who buys 1 beer and nurses it for 4 hours, he negatively effects my bottom line because that space could be used by some one who purchases more. Most restauranters calculate how much each table should bring in, in a specific amount of time. For example my families restuarants we had sales projections for every 4 hours, so from 11-3p expected X amount of dollars in that time.

If you come in, sit at a space and order tea but no entree, that COST ME MONEY. If I get two women who want to spread out and sit in a both that is reserved for 6 people. I LOSE MONEY, that effects my bottom line. I lost revenue for that hour they are there. Now 1 person ordering water and not lemonade, no biggie. 4 people not ordering drinks but turning water into wine is a problem.

As I said before I have friends who are still in the business (mainly sports bars) who calculate down to the penny, how much money the expect to generate in beer sales during the three hours of an eagle game, so you come in and order a water then make a drink from it using flavored any thing, you are costing that owner money and no he is not likening it.
Restuarants are funny animals in that they work on profit and lost profit.

 

[eliza61]

I for one, don't understand why these places think that upping the price of soda is the best way to make a profit. The prices are just insanely high. I would rather pay a little extra for my entree so that they make a profit on that. Honestly, my husband who is a huge soda drinker is almost to his breaking point that he thinks he will start ordering water because its ridiculous to spend $3 or more on a glass of soda. That decision isn't even a budget decision for him (we can very much afford the glass of soda) but its the principal of the matter. At some point, there will be a tipping point where consumers just aren't willing to spend a certain amount of money on an item. They will start ordering water or they will they will stay home.

Of course there is a tipping point, you act like restuaranters are upping drink prices because we have nothing better to do. gimme a break.

As with any business we have to balance rising cost with shrinking revenue.

This Thanksgiving meat prices are projected to rise around 3%. Turkey, pork and Beef are all projected to go up. so a business has to now decide what to do. I can charge more for that entree (very bad idea), I can try to cut my fix cost (salary's, heat, lights etc), I can try and reduce my cost on raw materials (shrink portion sizes, order inferior quality meats) but some thing has to be done if I am to stay in business.

Now studies have shown (and food marketers spend millions on researching american eating habits and spending habits) that as a general rule we don't like to see higher prices. Americans are very resistant to higher prices. don't think so, every year the DDP goes up, all heck breaks loose around here.
Why do you think your package sizes are getting smaller? for some reason we tolerate getting "less" better than paying more.

Personally I perfer some one stay home then come to my eatery (my family sold the restuarant after 35years, no one wanted to take it over in this day and age, way too much work for little profit) and try to go cheap. It simply cost me money.

Once again, it's a matter of degrees. one person doing it, no problem 20 people doing it during lunch and I'm charging for a glass of water especially if I have 3 different types of lemonade and 2 different ice teas on my menu.

Your dh isn't the only one with principles but by your analogy if you don't like the price of an item you get to bring in some thing from the outside. And I'm supposed to be ok with that? Lets extrapulate. You think my sandwich prices are insane, am I supposed to let you bring outside food in?
Nowadays with almost all information available before you get to the restaurant you have a plethora of choices. So yeah, I'd prefer you to stay home if you are going to whip out your own food and drink because your principles won't allow you to pay my prices.

 

[kaytieeldr]

Oh come on now all the restaurants I have been to give you a cup of water as soon as you sit down anyway

Most of the restaurants I visit, except the higher-end ones, stopped automatically serving water several years ago.

You have yet to explain HOW it affects the restaurants revenue more than simply ordering water. You still seem to assume they would purchase a soft drink if they didn't add to flavoring. I do not believe that would be the case.

Cost=expense. Yes, it costs the restaurant money to provide glasses of water; that's understood. It's done as a service.
Revenue=income/eventually ideally a bit of profit. The restaurant sells soft drinks, but the diners bring their own soft drinks instead of buying what tge restaurant sells - "why" the diners do it doesn't matter. Again, bringing your own soft drink to a restaurant that sells (gets revenue from) soft drinks is identical to bringing your own meal.

We are not going to the bringing other items. I am only asking how the simple fact off adding a flavor packet to water. Nothing more. How does this cost the restaurant any more than the glass of water.

Cost is different from revenue. Cost is what the item costs the (in this case) restaurant. Revenue is what a business takes in from what they sell or produce. When a restaurant sells something, but the diner brings in their own version of that thing, they negatively affect the restaurant's revenue. When the diner brings their own version of the item and uses a product the restaurant provides as a courtesy at no cost to concoct that item, it reduces revenue further.

You wouldn't bring anything else? Great - but see pampam's post below.

And any restaurant would be happy to charge any diner for a soft drink on request - simply ask. Enough requests could even get them to expand their offerings.

 

[kaytieeldr]

I'm not sure how adding crystal light to water makes it a soda?

Soft drink = any non-alcoholic beverage. Lemonade is a soft drink. Carbonation isn't required.

I for one, don't understand why these places think that upping the price of soda is the best way to make a profit. The prices are just insanely high.

If I don't like what a business charges for something, the reasonable response is to refuse to patronize that business - not to bring my own version of whatever I think they're overcharging for in protest.

Or is everybody basing the "high price" and "upping the price" on Disney's arrangement with Coka-Cola? Because they, and PepsiCo, sell their products - they don't give 'em away.

 

[eliza61]

Have you guys ever gone into an independantly own pizza parlor or chinese restaurant? They will have a soda case with 2 Liter sodas in it and a big sign that says "Take out only".

Why do you think that is? They don't want you sitting down, taking up space and splitting the one 2Liter bottle amongst 4 people. That is lost revenue. sure, we'll give you free refills but you have to buy 4 seperate soda's.

 

[Granny square]

Lol, our Chinese restaurant only has singles for the same reason. They now keep flavored water just for me. But I am in there a couple of days a week helping with esl classes.

 

[dgthree]

To be honest, I don't want to enter into this debate, but I do want to question your statement that

Chili's does offer at least one decaffeinated/artificially sweetened soft drink

Really?

Which of these items are sugar and caffeine free?

• Flavored Teas
• Lemonades
• Fountain Drinks (Coke®, Diet Coke®, Coke Zero®, Sprite®, Dr Pepper®, Blackberry or Mango Flavored Tea, Strawberry Lemonade or Minute Maid Lemonade)

Source: http://www.chilis.com/EN/Pages/menuitem.aspx?CatId=C841293

I see Diet Coke and Coke Zero, both of which have caffeine. The lemonades are all sugar sweetened, and the teas are caffeinated. I'd love to have a Sprite Zero on the menus at most of these places.

 

[Granny square]

Or sf minutemaid like disney has.

 

[kaytieeldr]

Coke Zero

I see Diet Coke and Coke Zero, both of which have caffeine

My apologies. I thought zero meant zero. I see it means 45 milligrams.

 

[Jenny3]

Have you guys ever gone into an independantly own pizza parlor or chinese restaurant? They will have a soda case with 2 Liter sodas in it and a big sign that says "Take out only".

Why do you think that is? They don't want you sitting down, taking up space and splitting the one 2Liter bottle amongst 4 people. That is lost revenue. sure, we'll give you free refills but you have to buy 4 seperate soda's.

Yep, same with 6 packs of beer. The take-out only, not the free refills part, lol

Or maybe those that think it's okay to flavor their water think it's okay to sneak a bottle of Bud in so you don't have to pay $4 for it while dining.

 

[threeboysmom]

This is way out of hand. Water is water and it's CHEAP. Can't believe people are on here for this many pages arguing about a glass of water!!!

The morality on the DIS never fails to amaze me.

Seriously, like NONE OF YOU have EVER taken a bottle of water or candy into a movie theater? EVER taken your own bottle of water into a Disney park or any other place for that matter?

EVER??

 

[ICF]

Seriously, like NONE OF YOU have EVER taken a bottle of water or candy into a movie theater? EVER taken your own bottle of water into a Disney park or any other place for that matter?

good point...do those that think this water flavor issue is so bad, never take a beverage into Disney?

Disney charges for drinks, so if you do that....aren't you depriving Disney of "revenue"???

 

[luvmy3]

good point...do those that think this water flavor issue is so bad, never take a beverage into Disney?

Disney charges for drinks, so if you do that....aren't you depriving Disney of "revenue"???

Actually no I haven't taken a beverage into Disney. Do I like spending $4 or whatever it is on a bottle of water that my kid is probably going to throw out half of, no, but I do it anyway.

 

[MissManda]

Soft drink = any non-alcoholic beverage. Lemonade is a soft drink. Carbonation isn't required.


If I don't like what a business charges for something, the reasonable response is to refuse to patronize that business - not to bring my own version of whatever I think they're overcharging for in protest.

Or is everybody basing the "high price" and "upping the price" on Disney's arrangement with Coka-Cola? Because they, and PepsiCo, sell their products - they don't give 'em away.

Ok, first of all, based on just the information I have given out on this message board, I have never said that I bring my own version of anything to protest them over charging for soda. I'm not sure what part of I order water (99% of the time) without fail you don't understand? So, regardless of what I do with that water, it doesn't cost the place anything more than it would have if I didn't flavor it becaue my drink order would be the same. Most of the time, I do drink plain tap water and if and only if it has a stronger chemical taste to it, I will add two drops of Mio to cover it. Its not like I'm busting out my own can of Pepsi to drink because I don't like the fact they serve Coke. I also said above, that if this is a problem for businesses, then they can charge for a flavoring fee (similar to cutting fees for when people bring in their own cakes) and I would be okay with that.


I also never said that my DH was going to stop purchasing soda and using flavored water instead, did I? He would drink plain old tap water (he doesn't actually care for Mio which is what I usually carry in my purse) and I know for a fact that he certainly wouldn't pick up a pack of crystal light to bring with him. So, in his case, yes, they would actually lose money because he would go from ordering a $3 drink to a free drink. He's already quit buying mixed drinks because the price you pay for what you get is not comparable anymore and he's tired of getting waterd down drinks (in his opinion...I don't drink, so I can't fairly assess that).

I go to a restaurant because I want to eat their food. If I didn't like the food they served, I would not go there. Plain and simple. I would certainly never take in my own food to eat. That in my opinion is way different that adding two drops of Mio to a glass of water that I would have ordered no matter what.

Perhaps I'm in the minority, but I am willing to pay a little extra for good quality food. Obviously the cost of food is rising and restaurants can't survive if they don't account for that increase. Most consumers know that. Personally, I wish that a lot places that I go to would make their potion sizes a little smaller. When I go somewhere and get a salad, I don't want a salad so big that 4 people could share it. I hate to look around as people get up from their tables and see all the wasted food. I'm also the type that if order an entree and know that I don't want something that comes with it (for example the bread), I make sure to tell the server to leave that off because I don't want to waste it (and no, I don't ask for the price to be deducted off my bill).

Also for full disclosure, years ago, I did wait tables. I treated all of my customers the same, regardless of if they ate cheap or got the most expensive item on the menu. I didn't get ticked off or feel slighted if a table ordered free water and therefore I wouldn't receive a tip on that. I know there are a lot of people who will calculate a tip down to the penny based on their bill but there are also a lot of people who tip based on the overall experience and are willing to tip a little more if they get a great dining experience. Just because someone orders water and eats a smaller, less expensive meal doesn't mean they won't tip well.

I'm sure if flavored water becomes an issue, that restaurants will do something about it.

Oh....and for what its worth..... I don't sneak food and snacks into movies. If I go to a movie (which is rare these days), I do fork over the cash for the overpriced popcorn and bottled water.