Post #512812 by Tiki Shaker on Tue, Feb 23, 2010 12:54 PM

I agree with everything you said Tom. And yes... I did complain a lot on the other thread. My problem with this has been the fact they use "Trader Vic's" in the name. I don't have a problem with the concept of the place. I, like most people cannot afford to pay top dollar for expensive dinners every night. I too go to places like Islands, Chili's etc., when I don't want to cook and want something a little better than fast food. But it's the fact that Trader Vic's has their name attached - that's the problem. I don't see how any "high end" product or establishment can draw customers to their higher end product by offering lower end products. It would be like if Ruth's Chris Steakhouse came out with a burger joint and called it Ruth's Chris Burgar Parlor. I don't think the average person who would go to the burger parlor will all of a sudden think "Wow, I hope the burger parlor opens up a high end steakhouse and charges way more. Thankfully I've been introduced to this brand by consuming lower priced and lower quality food in a family atmosphere. This causes me to crave something fancy and more expensive. In fact I love spending way more especially when I know it's the same place that makes these low priced burgers!"

Like I said in the other thread, if the place was called Kowabunga Fred's or something, I wouldn't have a problem. Even if it was owned by Trader Vic's and they called it that, I wouldn't have a problem. I would just think it's a corporation who is opening up a new line of restaurants... just please don't use Trader Vic's... I think by dulling and cheapening their name, there is a good possibility they could kill their high in restaurants. Sure.. the company may be more profitable if all they have open is their grills.. but us as tiki fans will lose out.