Do restaurants do less business on Valentine's Day than they would a normal Saturday?

[Lisa loves Pooh]

The restaurant being booked is a given. What I was asking about is total revenue. Sure every table is booked on Valentine's Day, but a 4-top for two people is not going to bring in the $$ that a 4-top for four people will.

I would think more revenue from
A couple spending generously than a family of 4 spending modestly. At worst, maybe a break even?

 

[FlightlessDuck]

Considering every place I tried getting a reservation was already booked up two weeks ago, I'd say they get more business.

Unless you are counting McDonald's or something.

 

[The Mystery Machine]

We went out for lunch around 1 PM and it was not crowded yet. We ate Mexican food though not sure if that matters.

We also went to Best Buy and an outdoor strip mall in the FREEZING COLD and surprisingly that was pretty busy. DD got matching slippers to her Vera Bradley robe on clearance at that VB outlet for 15 bucks....score. That place was packed!

 

[Cogswel_Cogs]

That is their busiest day-why would they hate it?

1-800 flowers is an Internet created biz for V- day and Mother's Day

I figure all the people who would send roses to the office just by them for house or date.

 

[tvguy]

Most places have only tables for 2 or 4 that they can put together if a larger group shows up. And believe it or not it's not all two tops on Valentine's day.

Seems like most restaurants I go to buy tables that sit 2. It gives them the maximum flexibility. But the normal setup is 2 tables pushed together for seating for 4, and a few tables for 6 and a few for 2. I can see them having the setup tonight with more tables for 2.

 

[Mizzoufan]

We tried to eat at our favorite restaurant tonight we went early at 5 and there was a hour and a half wait.

 

[Tozzie]

That is their busiest day-why would they hate it?

1-800 flowers is an Internet created biz for V- day and Mother's Day

1 800 flowers was around before the internet.

 

[NewRVLady]

One year Valentines was on a Wednesday
we went out the Saturday BEFORE and it was packed (nicer high end restaurant)

 

[NewRVLady]

1 800 flowers was around before the internet.

according to this-It was a local place in the 1980's and gained National status in 1992-the Internet was around then

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1-800-Flowers

But My point is V-Day is the #1 day for Flowers and 1-800's busiest time...so they LOVE it-its how they stay in business.....

 

[indygirl99]

One year Valentines was on a Wednesday
we went out the Saturday BEFORE and it was packed (nicer high end restaurant)

I have several chef friends. One of them has a small boutique restaurant that seats 24. He has a special 9 course tasting menu that is $300 per person with wine pairings for another $45 each for Valentine's Day. He has been booked solid with a waiting list since the 1st of February and will not be finished until the 21st when he takes a much needed winter break.

 

[pat fan]

I stayed home and cooked a nice meal for my DH, no waiting and infinitely cheaper! Sorry restaurants!

 

[Gumbo4x4]

according to this-It was a local place in the 1980's and gained National status in 1992-the Internet was around then

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1-800-Flowers

But My point is V-Day is the #1 day for Flowers and 1-800's busiest time...so they LOVE it-its how they stay in business.....

I think PP's point was the 14th falling over a weekend might hurt the flower delivery business compared to it being on a weekday.

Don't believe it was meant to be compared to other days of the year

 

[okeydokey]

At the restaurant today, there were lots of families and parties larger than 2 actually. We had five at our table.

 

[LBIJim]

Today we ate at restaurant on VD for the first time in at least 20 years. Thai food, which is probably not the first choice for most people. Place was about half full at 5pm, got more crowded as we were leaving. Very few couples. Most were larger parties, as was our group of 4.

 

[BonnieA]

Went to a nice restaurant. If we didn't have reservations we wouldn't have gotten in.

 

[diznygirl]

I figure all the people who would send roses to the office just by them for house or date.

Oh no - you have to send the flowers to the office on the 13th then so your significant other can still show them off to co-workers.

 

[tvguy]

according to this-It was a local place in the 1980's and gained National status in 1992-the Internet was around then

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1-800-Flowers

But My point is V-Day is the #1 day for Flowers and 1-800's busiest time...so they LOVE it-its how they stay in business.....

In 1994, less than 2% of the U.S. households had internet access*, so probably less than that in 1992. I was the first on my block with internet access in 1994. People forget how relatively new the internet is. My son graduated from High School 10 years ago, internet sources were not accepted on high school papers at his high school then.

*http://www.nsf.gov/statistics/nsf01313/socio.htm

 

[LilyWDW]

In 1994, less than 2% of the U.S. households had internet access*, so probably less than that in 1992. I was the first on my block with internet access in 1994. People forget how relatively new the internet is. My son graduated from High School 10 years ago, internet sources were not accepted on high school papers at his high school then.

*http://www.nsf.gov/statistics/nsf01313/socio.htm

10 Years ago? So in 2004/2005?

Heck, I graduated high school in 2000 and we were already using internet sources (went to a private, catholic college prep school). When I started college that fall it became even more of a deal to use internet sources.

 

[Cogswel_Cogs]

I think PP's point was the 14th falling over a weekend might hurt the flower delivery business compared to it being on a weekday.

Don't believe it was meant to be compared to other days of the year

Yes that's what I meant sorry for any confussion

 

[NewRVLady]

OK-I see what you are saying

I did more research on 1-800Flowers and now realize that they are a ORDER SERVICE-like FTD or Teleflora
They have a gazillion complaints-mostly getting no answers or service when things go wrong
A ORDER SERVICE takes youe money-lets say $60...then calls a local florist and gives them $40 of that to fill the order-SO most of the time customer is NOT HAPPY with the result...just an FYI

Local Florists rent vans and hire lots of extra drivers on V-Day...so it doesn't matter what day its on