Post #437014 by tikiyaki on Sat, Feb 28, 2009 9:27 AM

On 2009-02-28 04:02, Bongo Bungalow wrote:
As some of you know, I own 12 restaurants, (not tiki), and our sales were up last year and continue to be up. Escapism? Absolutely! But much of our competition is down-- way down. So what's the difference?

1.)My restaurants have a higher "escapism quotient" and, 2.)we are and have always been considered a VALUE. This is very important right now. While national chains and fancy restaurants and bars are scrambling to convince potential guests that they can be a value, our guests are already convinced that we are.

Factors that add to the "escapism quotient"? Themed decor, food and drinks they can't get at home. A strong emphasis on the alcoholic drinks is important.

We are concluding a deal to purchase five more restaurants. Tiki restaurants should be thriving if they are well run. If they aren't, then in times like these, guests will choose others.

Bongo....Just curious. You are a regular poster on here, and seem like you are REALLY into Tiki. How come you haven't tried your hand at a Tiki restauratnt ?

One thing for sure that really made sense to me is your point about offering something that the customer can't get at home. Never really thought of that...such a simple concept, but so true.

Being that you own 12 restaurants, I would think that you would for sure open a successful Tiki restaurant, as it seems that you really know how to run a restaurant business.It's nice to hear from a successful restaurant owner in here, as we all have theories about why the tiki restaurants that have gone out of business have failed, but you probably know better than any of us about this kind of stuff.

I'd love to hear more of your take on this. And...do you think you would ever consider opening a Tiki restaurant ?