Trader Vic's vs. McVic's...Pros, Cons or Double Edged? - General Tiki

TS Tom Slick Tiki Socialite The Beaches of South Bay, SoCal Joined: Aug 26, 2005 Posts: 1093	TS Tom Slick Posted posted on Wed, Feb 24, 2010 9:08 PM Dewey, for me its the simple fact that it is a bastardization of an established brand, plain and simple. They've cheapened the name and reputation, and I cannot emphasize this fact any easier. Part of it IS the name, part of it IS the watered down decor, part of it IS the limited food and drink selection compared to the original restaurants. It would have set alot easier with me, had they chose another name as not to compete or be compared. That is why i threw out the Menehune Market name as an example. I highly doubt this will be the only Bar & Grill, unless it fails miserably. If this concept helps TV's bottom line and strengthens TV corporate, isn't it better than the alternative of them all going away? Seriously, if these Bar and Grills catch on, start thinking of what will become of the formal TV restaurants. I can see this as the beginning of the Devolution of the formal Trader Vic's. Maybe I am jumping the gun, but nonetheless, it poses a ponderance... It seems people are not looking that far down the road, but like a good mirror says, "The objects* are closer than they appear". (In this case, replace the word "objects" with "closures of Trader Vic's restaurants") I'm not saying it is eminent, but it remains a strong possibility. Why prevent Trader Vics from expanding their market to those who are not going to patronize the formal Trader Vic's establishment? It would be different if TV Corporate actually OFFERED to build a formal TV location in Sarasota. And my question to you is "How do we KNOW if Sarasotans wouldn't support a Vic's original, if they haven't even been given a chance?"* If my points haven't come across clear enough, I appologize for my writing skills. I really just wanted to hear what other TC'ers thought about this "experiment". I would like to see Trader Vic's survive and endure the test of time, but not by cheapening the experience or quality of the world famous tiki establishment, even as much as I may hound, and criticise their decisions. I appreciate people chiming in on this. [ Edited by: Tom Slick 2010-02-24 21:13 ]

Dewey, for me its the simple fact that it is a bastardization of an established brand, plain and simple. They've cheapened the name and reputation, and I cannot emphasize this fact any easier. Part of it IS the name, part of it IS the watered down decor, part of it IS the limited food and drink selection compared to the original restaurants.
It would have set alot easier with me, had they chose another name as not to compete or be compared. That is why i threw out the Menehune Market name as an example.

I highly doubt this will be the only Bar & Grill, unless it fails miserably.

If this concept helps TV's bottom line and strengthens TV corporate, isn't it better than the alternative of them all going away?

Seriously, if these Bar and Grills catch on, start thinking of what will become of the formal TV restaurants. I can see this as the beginning of the Devolution of the formal Trader Vic's. Maybe I am jumping the gun, but nonetheless, it poses a ponderance...
It seems people are not looking that far down the road, but like a good mirror says, "The objects* are closer than they appear". (*In this case, replace the word "objects" with "closures of Trader Vic's restaurants") I'm not saying it is eminent, but it remains a strong possibility.

Why prevent Trader Vics from expanding their market to those who are not going to patronize the formal Trader Vic's establishment?

It would be different if TV Corporate actually OFFERED to build a formal TV location in Sarasota. And my question to you is "How do we KNOW if Sarasotans wouldn't support a Vic's original, if they haven't even been given a chance?"

If my points haven't come across clear enough, I appologize for my writing skills. I really just wanted to hear what other TC'ers thought about this "experiment".
I would like to see Trader Vic's survive and endure the test of time, but not by cheapening the experience or quality of the world famous tiki establishment, even as much as I may hound, and criticise their decisions. I appreciate people chiming in on this.

[ Edited by: Tom Slick 2010-02-24 21:13 ]

Post #513278 by Tom Slick on Wed, Feb 24, 2010 9:08 PM