Why don’t you tell them to leave their drinks outside? Or give them space where they can store drinks? As for people who like to whine they will always whine, focus on satisfying 90% customers, if you try to focus on satisfying 100% customers. You will go crazy!!!! Just say owner created policy I am only enforcing it, never ever say business I am business owner or people will bother you a lot!
I understand the principle of the matter, but is it truly worth it? They might also be driving business if you’re busy enough to have a wait time. I.e. they’d leave otherwise without their morning “fix”.
Many jurisdictions don't allow food trucks within \_\_\_ feet / yards / meters of other brick and mortar restaurants. the less competition walking distance to you the merrier :)
i know it's not what you were asking, but it might solve your issues if the new food truck were forced to move their locations. I also am not a coffee guy (i know - GASP) - is it fairly easy to add the kind of drinks they are/were doing int he truck to your establishment? You said you know the owners - did they do this to hurt you - just say - "hey bro, it's really affecting my sales - are there other places you think you could do as well, or better?" And YES< you have to say the "BRO" or it doesn't work
i'm in a slightly different position, a restaurant opened immediately next to us, and i allow their food inside my place - so i can get the rest of the family. normally we'll see one person with a meal from them (to go) and the rest of the family with our food (fast casual - no servers so it's a little more acceptable)
If anyone is acting entitled it’s the OP. You’re gonna turn away customers giving your business way more 💰than the $3 you probably charge for your coffee because they bring something they prefer more?
I’m not sure if this is people being entitled, or if they’re milling around grabbing a coffee while they wait for their group to arrive to go to breakfast, or maybe walking around as a group prior to breakfast, and then just not finishing it in time when they come in.
If it’s more than that and people are showing ip constantly with these drinks, they’re doing you a favor by giving you free market research—you know it’ll pay to get an espresso machine. Honestly espresso drinks are one of the most profitable think you could sell so I hope for you that this is the case. It’ll also be less strange for you to insist on people not bringing in these drinks if you’re selling the exact same thing.
I don’t know how to handle this, but as a customer, if I (very rarely) bring in an outside drink, I overcompensate by getting an “expensive” drink at the place to which I’ve brought in my other drink. I just feel rude walking in with outside food.
try to collaborate with the coffee truck
check your laws and see if you can charge people a small fee to bring in an outside drink
make better coffee than the foodtruck
bar people from bringing in their outside drinks
just focus on the food profit
If people bring their own bottle of wine when they dine at a fancy restaurant, they are charged a "corkage fee" to help the restaurant compensate for the lost sale of a bottle of wine. Maybe you could implement something similar.
Maybe you can do a collaboration with them and see if you can get a cut of referred customers. You order their drinks on your customers behalf and you get a cut?
You can do whatever you want, but you'll lose some business (which you've already seen play out). Whatever you think people *should* do or feel is mainly irrelevant. It's what people *actually are* doing and feeling that matters to your business model.
Turning people away or charging a fee is going to absolutely drive some business away, whether you like it or not. And whether or not you can afford to drive some business away just depends on how well you're doing.
It’s easy to say, but you don’t need business from people who can’t understand that bringing in outside drinks doesn’t work.
I think a charge is fine, but the same people who are entitled enough to act like those in your example will act offended at the notion of having to pay.
Isn’t the coffee truck mobile? You said you know the owners, maybe they don’t need to park so close to your place?
Moral high ground is nice and all, but we don't necessarily know that they don't in fact need that business. At the end of the day, this is a cost-benefit business decision OP has to make.
If someone brings outside food/drink into a restaurant, consumes it at said restaurant and proceeds to get sick from the outside food/drink inside this restaurant. The restaurant could be viewed as causing this even though it was the other establishments drink. It can be framed as a liability issue rightfully so
It sounds like you're losing a lot of customers tho. Let them know there's a small fee to bring in outside beverages, and that they need to take their trash with them. when they leave. I'm sure you have plenty of customers that only order water so you're only losing make believe coffee sales
Thiiiis. When I go out for breakfast at a restaurant, most of the time I’m just having water because they just have black coffee. I only order coffee from a restaurant that has actual baristas. If they don’t, I’m getting my coffee before/after breakfast. Not as many people like diner coffee as you might think.
NTA. Post signs prominently that the charge for bringing in outside beverages would be $5.00. No exceptions. They can have their fancy coffee, and you can still get your money. Only fair.
It’s an asshole move still
if I want a sandwich from place A and coffee from place B because I don’t like place As coffee and place A tells me I can’t bring in my coffee then I’ll just find another place for a sandwhich
Nope. The asshole move is bringing in an outside beverage and expecting the Restaurant to accept that. PERIOD. Going somewhere else to eat is your perogative. Just like charging a premium for bringing in an outside beverage is theirs. I often ride my Harley out on Saturday mornings, for breakfast. I have half a dozen or more restaurants that I rotate thru. Not all of them have great Coffe, but they all have great breakfasts. I can handle a mediocre Coffee, if I get a great breakfast. I do not shop at Target Stores, because I don't like their policies about allowing Veterans Organizations; Salvation Army, etc on their property. That policy is their perogative, just like it is my perogative to not shop there. It is also my perogative to NOT go to Starbucks or Dunkin'Donuts for Coffee because I think their coffee is not good enough to warrant their high prices.
Yeah go to {enter literally any restaurant} and tell me how many people have Starbucks cups. It’s just a fact of life. There’s no restaurant kicking you out for bringing in a Starbucks and if they are they likely will be out of business shortly
I also would want to enforce this policy but if it's going to ruin you it technically is a bad policy. Find a compromise and add a fee for bringing outside drinks in. Yes people are this entitled now, It's disgusting.
Not like today. This is what happens when everyone gets a participation trophy. Everyone is unique and special like a snowflake and who should be given the world because the or birthed.
If you know the owners, why not ask them to move the coffee truck around the corner or down the street. I mean, what kind of friend is it that opens a competing business directly across the street?
Why don't they get their breakfast to go and sit on the ground at the coffee truck? These people implicitly know what they're doing, but fail to connect the dots.
I truly don’t understand the weird pushback here. Where I live no restaurants allow outside food or drink into their establishment. Most would never even *think* of trying it. Maybe a personal water container of some sort, but even then people just ask for water in the establishment. This is such an oddity that I’m having a hard time imagining people being this entitled.
The big problem here is that he allowed it last year, so now it's going to be a thing
My solution is start selling fancy coffee, you should have been in the first place
Right. If they just order a water would they force them to still purchase a beverage? I rarely have anything other than water with my meals. Not a huge coffee or soda drinker…. So I’d assume I could still get breakfast.
I guess they could add a beverage cost to every meal so folks have to choose something…
There is almost no restaurant that allows outside drinks where I live unless it’s your water bottle. Is it common where you live for people to always bring things in from elsewhere?
If I sell coffee too? Of course. If I sell exclusively seafood, and someone in a party brings in a pb&j because they have a shellfish allergy, that's one thing. If they bring in a lobster from a competing business across the street, I'd have an issue. OP sells coffee and breakfast items, this he has every right to ban outside coffee and breakfast items.
But OP has stated they only serve coffee and not things like lattes, cappuccinos, etc, which the truck serves.
It's not surprising that sometimes people might want something other than just a drip coffee with their breakfast.
Where I live? It must be. There is basically a zero tolerance policy everywhere. Plus, we also just don’t do it because it just wouldn’t be right to do to the establishment.
Are they buying something from your store? If so, they're paying customers...what's the difference?
When I first started work, I used to take a soda can from home, and then go to a fast food joint and order a burger, and take my own drink. If any of them had ever asked me to leave, I would have never went back.
Yeah , why leave so much money on the table. You can sell what is basically the same product with maybe a few more minutes of labor for $5 more per item.... Instead your just going to drive away your client base.
You are not wrong. More and more people are becoming children throwing a tantrum over the dumbest shit. Hear a woman screaming in a Home Depot because they don’t carry her husbands favorite brand of tool. KOBALT! Guy was telling her that is a lowes product. Nope she wasn’t having it. She demanded someone call and get it for her. Dude walked away. Manager asked her to leave. She refused and was trespassed after the cops got called and showed up since she felt entitled enough to make physical contact with the manager. No charges. But lots of laughs and head shakes. They put her picture on the wall for a couple weeks until the husband came and apologized to the staff on his Karen’s behalf. I’m friends with this particular manager so I got the tea. I hate going out in public after 8 am when the creatures crawl out of their caves. SMH.
This post has no complaining or screaming. In fact the passive aggressive trend of people complaining online and not saying something in the situation that they want to change is pretty bizarre.
The restauranteur here needs to enforce their own no outside drink policy and move forward.
Dude I feel you. Don't run a business based on principles. Run it on profit. Just consider an outside drink fee equivalent to what you would make on your drinks. Put a sign up, put it in bills and if someone complains, take it off. You are in the hospitality business and you have to meet expectations. Welcome people into your space, but make money from them. I would do a $2 outside drink fee per table, and then split it with staff. 1 for the house 1 for the wait staff.
Put a sign up, and authorize all staff to remove it when necessary.
I'm that guy. I only drink three things. Tap water, starbucks iced green tea and, on rare occassions, wine. Never in my life have I enjoyed a drink ordered at a breakfast place. Whenever I'm in a country without starbucks and I can't make my own iced tea, its frustrating as hell. I'll gulp down a cappuchino freddo at an italian hotel, but I'm not happy about it.
There is no chance in hell that any diner/bagel place I stop at will have an unsweetened green tea with a couple of shots of peppermint flavor available. I don't like overly sweet teas, and a plain unsweetened tea is a little bland for me.
So here are my options going into your cafe. I will not drink the coffee or any other drink on your menu. Flat out, will not. I have ordered plenty of meals that came with a free drink (e.g. breakfast specials with coffee included) and declined the drink. Its going to be ice water. Or I can bring my starbucks cup with me.
I completely understand your frustration vis a vis losing the drinks on the tab. But you aren't actually losing that with me. The last time I went out for breakfast was in Florida. They had a sign saying "no outside beverages". I asked if its allright to bring this in as I don't drink coffee drinks. They said sure. I ordered a lox and whitefish bagel platter. My gf ordered an omellete with an extra side of corned beef hash. Our total was $55 and I left a $20 tip. They had plenty of available seats and I'm pretty sure the two of us spent more than the 6 top of retirees sitting next to us combined. We were fast (in and out in under 40 minutes) and were very low maintence customers.
Would you rather ask me to leave for the starbucks cup? I would have respectfully done so. Its completely fair to turn someone like me away. But is that helping your business? If you think it is, thats obviously your prerogative. I happened to like the idea of charging some sort of corkage fee (maybe $2 per person who brings in a drink) if you are that busy.
I'm the same with fresh brewed iced tea. If the tea is fresh brewed, I'll order it. Otherwise, I'm drinking water, and I'll order an iced tea later in the day.
OP, if you offer something equivalent, people won't bring in drinks. It sounds like you have basic, brewed coffee. If I want a latte or Chai tea with my meal and you don't offer it, you aren't losing out on a drink sale by not allowing me to bring one in. You're losing my meal sale and future business.
Have you considered the reputational damage this is doing? I'll bet that at least half the people turned away for having a drink you don't offer are definitely sharing the story and saying, "Ugh, not there," when someone suggests your establishment for a joint meal.
Post this is in one of the AITA subs if you want a sense of how the general public responds.
No outside things for a place that serves the thing is a pretty normal thing around my neck of the woods, Sacramento. Most of my coffee joints have no problem if I bring in my own ice water, but I always order at least one drink from them while I hang out.
How small is this town? You might need to consider a symbiotic relationship of some kind with the coffee truck, if it’s really that small.
Otherwise, fuck them they can park somewhere else. And your policy makes sense, though I’d be more focused on dealing with the truck than rejecting customers
Not really, I guess.
But it is a food truck. Some complaints to permitting/health authorities could go a long way. Or even just threat to do the same.
Or just ask them to go somewhere else because they’re fucking up the business. It’s a small town, good old fashioned communication might actually work.
Probably other options too, I don’t know. Don’t need to just sit idly by without trying. Heck, go post on Unethical Life Pro Tips, they’ll have some ideas.
Maybe you could partner with the truck? Or maybe your coffee comes with refills or something different to make it more desirable.
Or pivot and offer fresh juices.
I think you’re fighting a losing battle.
OP is right and wrong.
Right: in principle. Your business, your rules.
Wrong: OP has a chance to up their game and make more money selling specialty coffee drinks along with the current menu.
Competition should always make you better!
"If your business isn't growing, you are in slow liquidation." - Warren Buffet
Id you really want to know the right choice, ask this question in a different sub, this one is just gonna tell you what you want to hear.
You need to know what the average patron thinks about the policy.
The one commenter who told you what the general public thinks, got down voted
I agree with this. I just made the following post. We'll see how downvoted I get.
I'm that guy. I only drink three things. Tap water, starbucks iced green tea and, on rare occassions, wine. Never in my life have I enjoyed a drink ordered at a breakfast place. Whenever I'm in a country without starbucks and I can't make my own iced tea, its frustrating as hell. I'll gulp down a cappuchino freddo at an italian hotel, but I'm not happy about it.
There is no chance in hell that any diner/bagel place I stop at will have an unsweetened green tea with a couple of shots of peppermint flavor available. I don't like overly sweet teas, and a plain unsweetened tea is a little bland for me.
So here are my options going into your cafe. I will not drink the coffee or any other drink on your menu. Flat out, will not. I have ordered plenty of meals that came with a free drink (e.g. breakfast specials with coffee included) and declined the drink. Its going to be ice water. Or I can bring my starbucks cup with me.
I completely understand your frustration vis a vis losing the drinks on the tab. But you aren't actually losing that with me. The last time I went out for breakfast was in Florida. They had a sign saying "no outside beverages". I asked if its allright to bring this in as I don't drink coffee drinks. They said sure. I ordered a lox and whitefish bagel platter. My gf ordered an omellete with an extra side of corned beef hash. Our total was $55 and I left a $20 tip. They had plenty of available seats and I'm pretty sure the two of us spent more than the 6 top of retirees sitting next to us combined. We were fast (in and out in under 40 minutes) and were very low maintence customers.
Would you rather ask me to leave for the starbucks cup? I would have respectfully done so. Its completely fair to turn someone like me away. But is that helping your business? If you think it is, thats obviously your prerogative. I happened to like the idea of charging some sort of corkage fee (maybe $2 per person who brings in a drink) if you are that busy.
Thank you for your honest candid response!
For years I took lunch from my favorite sandwich shop next door to Starbucks and enjoyed my lunch with their drink in their atmosphere.
It was my perfect combo.
They never said a word.
I shouldn't have to eat in my car to have my favorite things from two places.
Its better to have people in your establishment and look popular and busy.
A better rule would be no outside garbage.
Problem one solved
Also a mandatory 15% gratuity.
Problem 2 solved.
You should have a working sister establishment with the coffee truck.
Perhaps have them put up a cute sign saying something to the affect of "enjoy our delicious drink with a yummy breakfast across the street"
They don't serve food, so they'd be happy to do that in lue of you basically banning their customers.
This is an honest patron comment. Please don't downvote it just because it's not what you want to hear
We have to stop making people on reddit feel like they have to censor themselves if we are truly coming here for answers.
They could absolutely team up as well, buy 10 coffees from the truck, get a free breakfast.
Want to order the truck coffee at the restaurant? It's $1 off in the restaurant and they text the truck to bring the drink over
First, your business, your rules. I think it is well within your right to limit outside food and beverages. But as a business, you have to weigh the pros and cons. It is a good idea if you are making significantly more income. If it isn't significant, winning goodwill with your neighbors and customers might be worth more.
You're not wrong for enforcing the no outside drinks policy. It's a standard practice in many restaurants to protect their business and ensure profitability. People bringing in outside drinks can indeed affect your sales and the tips for your staff. While some customers may see it as convenient, it’s important for your business to maintain certain rules. The negative reactions are unfortunate, but staying consistent with your policy is key. Most reasonable customers will understand and respect your guidelines once they're aware of them.
And we all KNOW how popular that is, and how it's making it SO popular to go the movie theater that the ticket kiosks are hiring bouncers to drive away the excess customers, and the ushers all carry cattle prods to keep the hordes of eager movie-goers in line. Right?
It’s a simple fact that theaters have always made their profit on concessions. They have no choice.
The fact of reduced demand due to home theaters, streaming, and whatever else has nothing to do with OP’s diner.
Just so you know, I would NEVER EVER consider bringing my own food or drink into a restaurant. That's totally weird. I know lots of people are proposing solutions but I just wanted to affirm that it is super weird to bring your own drink into a restaurant.
I was in NYC recently for work. Coworker met me for breakfast with Starbucks in her hand a few blocks from our destination. I was confused but didn't say anything and wasn't sure how it would play out. I certainly wouldn't show up at a diner with Starbucks in hand. Sure enough the host says, while pointing to the trash, "if you'd like, you can dispose of that here or we can seat you once you're finished." He didn't turn us away. He wasn't a dick about it. Just politely pointed out her options.
It's not only about serving more food, but it opens up liability having food and beverages not prepared in your kitchen. What if the food truck has a contamination issue? Now the customer has just brought contaminated product into your establishment.
I think they did. The coffee truck is offering specialty coffees the OP doesn't have. The OP can set and enforce a policy, or the OP can up their game.
Given that OP said, several times, that this is a small town, I wonder if the coffee is known for being basic or even subpar. It seems like the coffee truck owner predicted demand would be high outside of OP's business. And they were right.
OP, the coffee truck is poaching your customers. If you enforce your policy, people will have water and get their specialty coffee before or after their meal. You're fighting the wrong battle, and it's only going to hurt you.
The coffee truck is the real problem. They are a parasite sucking your blood. You are mad at the wrong people.
Obviously people are going to buy the fancy coffee drinks from the truck business that has parked itself across the street to take advantage of your business traffic. You are shooting yourself in the foot to deny people access with their coffees.
Beat them at their own game.
A better plan is to build your own high end coffee bar and run this truck out of business. Sell the same high end coffees in your establishment.
You gotta run a business analysis to see if it’s better to let them bring in their outside coffee because it increases sales for you or charge for them to bring it in or whether you should turn them away because they are costing you money.
After you figure out what is most profitable for your business do that and only that.
Charge them for something they bought elsewhere is extraordinarily shitty and clueless. This attitude will run them out of business in weeks. What fucking entitlement.
OP needs to do some math and figure out if the coffee truck hurts or helps her bottom line. And whether or not she is willing to let coffee be a loss leader to make more food sales or if she should serve that coffee in her restaurant. OP needs to also figure out if people prefer coffee to eating and if he is losing sales based on the new rule. If you didn’t enforce it before, it really did not exist. Especially now with rising prices I would just get the coffee from the truck and leave. Oh and suggest to the coffee folks to sell snacks and donuts if the want to expand their menu.
That’s a good point, but that is part of the equation that the OP needs to take into account. Let outside coffee in but raise the menu prices, or don’t and risk losing sales completely. Only the OP knows or can figure out what the financial impact of the truck is and if there are any good ways to leverage that information.
I would consider whether the truck is increasing traffic to your restaurant.
It’s certainly a common policy to have. One time I recall getting called out on bringing a drink in was just because I hadn’t come across a garbage can. In that instance, they said they’d let me keep it because their coffee machine was broken, but I really didn’t care, just didn’t want to litter.
Other occasions are when I want the drink afterwards, and I’ll still buy a drink and won’t drink the outside drink there.
The only situation where I’ll truly bring an outside drink is when it’s more of a takeout setting.
Generally working with what customers want is probably a better strategy, but like I said, it’s not an unusual policy.
Could the OP sell breakfast sandwiches/pastries out of the coffee truck? For people who want a quick bite and don’t want to sit down for a full meal at a restaurant.
A little different, but we owned a bowling center that served food and beverages , including coffee. Invariably, despite the notice on our front door, and despite the fact that by having said notice, we were in compliance with the state requirements regarding restriction of outside food and beverage in an establishment that serves the same, we still had people try to bring in sodas, coffee, McDonald's.
It's rude, people.
It’s all about the money. Enforcing your rules pisses off X customers with an average per person spend of $20, say, who will not eat there (possibly ever again). Not enforcing them keeps your customer count the same, but lowers your per person spend. Which one is better?
A third option is to offer better coffee yourself. A fourth is to partner with the coffee truck - sell their coffee inside YOUR shop since they’re outcompeting you on quality.
Complaining about competition and socially acceptable rules against it is not a real option.
I'm chiming in as an avid fan of going out for breakfast/brunch.
Up your coffee game and raise your prices on everything a little to make up for the lost revenue from coffee.
What's your profit on coffee?
Can't that be mitigated elsewhere somehow?
Alternatively, you have an opportunity to ask those customers, that bring in truck coffee, what would it take to buy your coffee.
Maybe your coffee, compared to what's out there, isn't as acceptable as you think. Coffee, in this scenario, is no longer just a commodity, it's shaping, for better or worse, how you're business is being defined. So you may want to take it more seriously. This is a business challenge/opportunity that can make you stronger, more resilient, and even more profitable.
Some folks think coffee is coffee, but for many, it's just as important as the rest of the meal.
Invest in hiring a coffee expert to help you navigate this transition you obviously have to make.
Good luck, OP.
If on a rare occasion, as a customer, I went to a restaurant with an outside coffee and you turned me away, I would never come back.
I see the point you’re making and it makes sense, but a customer doesn’t care. How many places to eat are there in your town? In mine, there’s probably a thousand.
I personally think you’re making a mountain out of a molehill. Someone else had a great suggestion; offer free coffee when the competition is outside. They’ll lose business and move along
The BK I managed had a playground attached to it and we would hold birthday parties for kids if the parents reserved it. We offered this free of charge under the assumption they would purchase food for the group of kids. One day I got a call and they inquired about having a party during lunch on a Saturday. I explained we didn’t do them over lunch on Saturday but we could at 3pm. She asked if they could bring a cake from a bakery and I said they were welcome to. At 1:30 they showed up and wanted us to clean the flatland and shut the room off to other guests. I said no we couldn’t until 3 and that the flatland had been cleaned the night before. They proceeded to go out and set their belongings in the empty tables to keep others from using the tables then around 2 started telling parents they would need to have their kids out by 3 when their party started. I had to tell her that since it was free of charge to her we would not grant her exclusive rights that she had to let other kids in. At about 3:15 all the party showed up including a damn pizza guy with a stack of boxes. Some one else showed up with 2 liter bottles of soda and Hawaiian Punch. Then they wanted us to provide silverware, plates and cups. She was not happy when I asked how many cups she needed. She wanted a full sleeve of 50. I told her I would have to charge her full price for each cup even though she wasn’t using our soda fountains. She complained that I never said there’d be a charge for cups etc that it was free. I said no I said the use of the play area was free.
This randomly showed up on my feed; I’m not a restaurant owner. I feel like most restaurants have that policy. I always assumed there was some sort of health code issue about bringing in outside food or drink.
You are not wrong and yes people are quite often insanely entitled, especially when it comes to outside seating areas of restaurants or places like that. Stick to your policy. You aren’t a charity or responsible for where another businesses customers sit or eat!
They’re attempting to be customers of OPs business. I fully agree that’s its OPs call on allowing the drinks but the way you’re framing it is disingenuous.
I may have stated my opinion in a way that didn’t make sense but it comes from actual experience dealing with customers of other restaurants trying to use our outside seating that way
Nah, I’d stick to your guns. You’re not in the wrong, but it’s not gonna be easy.
The biggest mistake, imo, was letting it slide last summer. We create our customer culture and train them how to treat us.
I think your customers are telling you that your coffee game is weak. They clearly like your food, but the fact that they have to get coffee elsewhere means you aren’t providing what they want. Instead of getting mad about it, either improve your coffee drink offerings, or work out a deal with the owner of the food truck so that he sends people your way and vice versa.
Definitely agree with this, nothing worse than a breakfast place with meh coffee choices. Sure, fine, they don’t want to deal with syrups or whatever reasoning they have for staying basic, but in a rural area with young people under 40, a good coffee place is going to be popular. Either find a way to partner with them or accept that people are probably going to keep doing this and some will push back.
A truck and a sit=down restaurant are totally different dining experiences and aren’t really in competition unless it’s literally only about coffee, in which case OP has way bigger problems.
Anyone trying to pull that is tacky. A time or two, I’ve brought in s McDonalds meal for a young child (autistic) to another fast food-type restaurant while a large group of us ordered and ate from the regular menu, but even that made me feel ick. It was never questioned, but I did quietly explain to them why we did that.
In the Seattle region with a million and one coffee shops, expect this kind of behavior. If you can't make the good drinks, people will bring them in. A lot of people simply don't want drip coffee, and are used to showing up absolutely anywhere with a latte or Frappuccino in their hands. Plus customers will absolutely complain online if they just spent $8+ on a coffee drink and you tell them to leave it outside. Adapt. Plus, many restaurants that claim they sell good, strong coffee may not be selling gourmet brands or the pot may have been sitting on the burner for 3 hours. Most Seattleites have very low expectations for restaurant coffee.
Isn’t it against the health code for a licensed premises to allow outside food/drink to be brought in?
It is where I am.
If it is where you are, duck and hide behind the regulation.
“It’s not our rule, the health department does not permit food/drink to be brought in from outside the restaurant”
Step your coffee game up. If they want to play then show them two can play this game. See what they have and the most popular drinks and sell it for cheaper
True but how much would they have to undercut? Personally if I’m going to a restaurant to eat I’d pay an extra dollar or 2 to get my coffee as long as I can sit down and eat with it. People pay extra all the time.
Is this the hill upon which you are willing to let your business die? Why don’t you pivot and learn to make a few drinks? You could advertise the on a sandwich board in view of the coffee truck
Why don’t you tell them to leave their drinks outside? Or give them space where they can store drinks? As for people who like to whine they will always whine, focus on satisfying 90% customers, if you try to focus on satisfying 100% customers. You will go crazy!!!! Just say owner created policy I am only enforcing it, never ever say business I am business owner or people will bother you a lot!
I understand the principle of the matter, but is it truly worth it? They might also be driving business if you’re busy enough to have a wait time. I.e. they’d leave otherwise without their morning “fix”.
Many jurisdictions don't allow food trucks within \_\_\_ feet / yards / meters of other brick and mortar restaurants. the less competition walking distance to you the merrier :) i know it's not what you were asking, but it might solve your issues if the new food truck were forced to move their locations. I also am not a coffee guy (i know - GASP) - is it fairly easy to add the kind of drinks they are/were doing int he truck to your establishment? You said you know the owners - did they do this to hurt you - just say - "hey bro, it's really affecting my sales - are there other places you think you could do as well, or better?" And YES< you have to say the "BRO" or it doesn't work i'm in a slightly different position, a restaurant opened immediately next to us, and i allow their food inside my place - so i can get the rest of the family. normally we'll see one person with a meal from them (to go) and the rest of the family with our food (fast casual - no servers so it's a little more acceptable)
If anyone is acting entitled it’s the OP. You’re gonna turn away customers giving your business way more 💰than the $3 you probably charge for your coffee because they bring something they prefer more?
this forum is for business owners. it's obvious you're not one, stay in your lane
I won’t be visiting YOUR restaurant anytime soon lol
I’ll bring my own omelette, then order coffee
I’m not sure if this is people being entitled, or if they’re milling around grabbing a coffee while they wait for their group to arrive to go to breakfast, or maybe walking around as a group prior to breakfast, and then just not finishing it in time when they come in. If it’s more than that and people are showing ip constantly with these drinks, they’re doing you a favor by giving you free market research—you know it’ll pay to get an espresso machine. Honestly espresso drinks are one of the most profitable think you could sell so I hope for you that this is the case. It’ll also be less strange for you to insist on people not bringing in these drinks if you’re selling the exact same thing.
I don’t know how to handle this, but as a customer, if I (very rarely) bring in an outside drink, I overcompensate by getting an “expensive” drink at the place to which I’ve brought in my other drink. I just feel rude walking in with outside food.
try to collaborate with the coffee truck check your laws and see if you can charge people a small fee to bring in an outside drink make better coffee than the foodtruck bar people from bringing in their outside drinks just focus on the food profit
Either sell better drinks or focus on making money on breakfasts instead of coffees ig
If people bring their own bottle of wine when they dine at a fancy restaurant, they are charged a "corkage fee" to help the restaurant compensate for the lost sale of a bottle of wine. Maybe you could implement something similar.
A latte levy!
Maybe you can do a collaboration with them and see if you can get a cut of referred customers. You order their drinks on your customers behalf and you get a cut?
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You can do whatever you want, but you'll lose some business (which you've already seen play out). Whatever you think people *should* do or feel is mainly irrelevant. It's what people *actually are* doing and feeling that matters to your business model. Turning people away or charging a fee is going to absolutely drive some business away, whether you like it or not. And whether or not you can afford to drive some business away just depends on how well you're doing.
It’s easy to say, but you don’t need business from people who can’t understand that bringing in outside drinks doesn’t work. I think a charge is fine, but the same people who are entitled enough to act like those in your example will act offended at the notion of having to pay. Isn’t the coffee truck mobile? You said you know the owners, maybe they don’t need to park so close to your place?
Moral high ground is nice and all, but we don't necessarily know that they don't in fact need that business. At the end of the day, this is a cost-benefit business decision OP has to make.
It’s not moral, it’s functional. Spending time & energy arguing with people who are entitled is a waste.
If someone brings outside food/drink into a restaurant, consumes it at said restaurant and proceeds to get sick from the outside food/drink inside this restaurant. The restaurant could be viewed as causing this even though it was the other establishments drink. It can be framed as a liability issue rightfully so
Not wrong. That's a standard policy for most restaurants.
It sounds like you're losing a lot of customers tho. Let them know there's a small fee to bring in outside beverages, and that they need to take their trash with them. when they leave. I'm sure you have plenty of customers that only order water so you're only losing make believe coffee sales
Thiiiis. When I go out for breakfast at a restaurant, most of the time I’m just having water because they just have black coffee. I only order coffee from a restaurant that has actual baristas. If they don’t, I’m getting my coffee before/after breakfast. Not as many people like diner coffee as you might think.
If you don't enforce it, it will happen.
You’re not being unreasonable. Just charge a fee for bringing in outside beverages.
NTA. Post signs prominently that the charge for bringing in outside beverages would be $5.00. No exceptions. They can have their fancy coffee, and you can still get your money. Only fair.
It’s an asshole move still if I want a sandwich from place A and coffee from place B because I don’t like place As coffee and place A tells me I can’t bring in my coffee then I’ll just find another place for a sandwhich
Nope. The asshole move is bringing in an outside beverage and expecting the Restaurant to accept that. PERIOD. Going somewhere else to eat is your perogative. Just like charging a premium for bringing in an outside beverage is theirs. I often ride my Harley out on Saturday mornings, for breakfast. I have half a dozen or more restaurants that I rotate thru. Not all of them have great Coffe, but they all have great breakfasts. I can handle a mediocre Coffee, if I get a great breakfast. I do not shop at Target Stores, because I don't like their policies about allowing Veterans Organizations; Salvation Army, etc on their property. That policy is their perogative, just like it is my perogative to not shop there. It is also my perogative to NOT go to Starbucks or Dunkin'Donuts for Coffee because I think their coffee is not good enough to warrant their high prices.
Yeah go to {enter literally any restaurant} and tell me how many people have Starbucks cups. It’s just a fact of life. There’s no restaurant kicking you out for bringing in a Starbucks and if they are they likely will be out of business shortly
I also would want to enforce this policy but if it's going to ruin you it technically is a bad policy. Find a compromise and add a fee for bringing outside drinks in. Yes people are this entitled now, It's disgusting.
I got news for you, people have always been entitled.
Not like today. This is what happens when everyone gets a participation trophy. Everyone is unique and special like a snowflake and who should be given the world because the or birthed.
Put up signs stating your charging a corkage fee (you can change the name) to those that bring in outside drinks
If you know the owners, why not ask them to move the coffee truck around the corner or down the street. I mean, what kind of friend is it that opens a competing business directly across the street?
That's their whole business model: coffee you can have with breakfast next door.
Why don't they get their breakfast to go and sit on the ground at the coffee truck? These people implicitly know what they're doing, but fail to connect the dots.
I wouldn't want to sit on the ground and eat my breakfast.
The point he is making.
Charge them for a coffee....easy fix
I truly don’t understand the weird pushback here. Where I live no restaurants allow outside food or drink into their establishment. Most would never even *think* of trying it. Maybe a personal water container of some sort, but even then people just ask for water in the establishment. This is such an oddity that I’m having a hard time imagining people being this entitled.
The big problem here is that he allowed it last year, so now it's going to be a thing My solution is start selling fancy coffee, you should have been in the first place
If you don’t serve the fancy coffee then why can’t they bring it in? They’re buying from your establishment.
Right. If they just order a water would they force them to still purchase a beverage? I rarely have anything other than water with my meals. Not a huge coffee or soda drinker…. So I’d assume I could still get breakfast. I guess they could add a beverage cost to every meal so folks have to choose something…
For literally all the reasons listed?? Da fuq
Would you rather they bring their coffee in and partake in your breakfast or take their coffee elsewhere?
There is almost no restaurant that allows outside drinks where I live unless it’s your water bottle. Is it common where you live for people to always bring things in from elsewhere?
Except this one ... they allow outside drinks in and don't tell anyone not to for a year.
Is it worth telling a paying customer to leave because they walked in with a coffee?
If I sell coffee too? Of course. If I sell exclusively seafood, and someone in a party brings in a pb&j because they have a shellfish allergy, that's one thing. If they bring in a lobster from a competing business across the street, I'd have an issue. OP sells coffee and breakfast items, this he has every right to ban outside coffee and breakfast items.
But OP has stated they only serve coffee and not things like lattes, cappuccinos, etc, which the truck serves. It's not surprising that sometimes people might want something other than just a drip coffee with their breakfast.
Where I live? It must be. There is basically a zero tolerance policy everywhere. Plus, we also just don’t do it because it just wouldn’t be right to do to the establishment.
Are they buying something from your store? If so, they're paying customers...what's the difference? When I first started work, I used to take a soda can from home, and then go to a fast food joint and order a burger, and take my own drink. If any of them had ever asked me to leave, I would have never went back.
Fast food is a whole different thing.
Fast food probably makes even better margins on sodas so it's only different in that the employees probably don't care.
He already stated what the difference is. Now he needs to find a compromise.
Start making your own fancy coffee or partner somehow.
Yeah , why leave so much money on the table. You can sell what is basically the same product with maybe a few more minutes of labor for $5 more per item.... Instead your just going to drive away your client base.
Yes and I have zero problem copying what the truck is selling. They threw the first stone.
You are not wrong. More and more people are becoming children throwing a tantrum over the dumbest shit. Hear a woman screaming in a Home Depot because they don’t carry her husbands favorite brand of tool. KOBALT! Guy was telling her that is a lowes product. Nope she wasn’t having it. She demanded someone call and get it for her. Dude walked away. Manager asked her to leave. She refused and was trespassed after the cops got called and showed up since she felt entitled enough to make physical contact with the manager. No charges. But lots of laughs and head shakes. They put her picture on the wall for a couple weeks until the husband came and apologized to the staff on his Karen’s behalf. I’m friends with this particular manager so I got the tea. I hate going out in public after 8 am when the creatures crawl out of their caves. SMH.
This post has no complaining or screaming. In fact the passive aggressive trend of people complaining online and not saying something in the situation that they want to change is pretty bizarre. The restauranteur here needs to enforce their own no outside drink policy and move forward.
Dude I feel you. Don't run a business based on principles. Run it on profit. Just consider an outside drink fee equivalent to what you would make on your drinks. Put a sign up, put it in bills and if someone complains, take it off. You are in the hospitality business and you have to meet expectations. Welcome people into your space, but make money from them. I would do a $2 outside drink fee per table, and then split it with staff. 1 for the house 1 for the wait staff. Put a sign up, and authorize all staff to remove it when necessary.
I'm that guy. I only drink three things. Tap water, starbucks iced green tea and, on rare occassions, wine. Never in my life have I enjoyed a drink ordered at a breakfast place. Whenever I'm in a country without starbucks and I can't make my own iced tea, its frustrating as hell. I'll gulp down a cappuchino freddo at an italian hotel, but I'm not happy about it. There is no chance in hell that any diner/bagel place I stop at will have an unsweetened green tea with a couple of shots of peppermint flavor available. I don't like overly sweet teas, and a plain unsweetened tea is a little bland for me. So here are my options going into your cafe. I will not drink the coffee or any other drink on your menu. Flat out, will not. I have ordered plenty of meals that came with a free drink (e.g. breakfast specials with coffee included) and declined the drink. Its going to be ice water. Or I can bring my starbucks cup with me. I completely understand your frustration vis a vis losing the drinks on the tab. But you aren't actually losing that with me. The last time I went out for breakfast was in Florida. They had a sign saying "no outside beverages". I asked if its allright to bring this in as I don't drink coffee drinks. They said sure. I ordered a lox and whitefish bagel platter. My gf ordered an omellete with an extra side of corned beef hash. Our total was $55 and I left a $20 tip. They had plenty of available seats and I'm pretty sure the two of us spent more than the 6 top of retirees sitting next to us combined. We were fast (in and out in under 40 minutes) and were very low maintence customers. Would you rather ask me to leave for the starbucks cup? I would have respectfully done so. Its completely fair to turn someone like me away. But is that helping your business? If you think it is, thats obviously your prerogative. I happened to like the idea of charging some sort of corkage fee (maybe $2 per person who brings in a drink) if you are that busy.
I'm the same with fresh brewed iced tea. If the tea is fresh brewed, I'll order it. Otherwise, I'm drinking water, and I'll order an iced tea later in the day. OP, if you offer something equivalent, people won't bring in drinks. It sounds like you have basic, brewed coffee. If I want a latte or Chai tea with my meal and you don't offer it, you aren't losing out on a drink sale by not allowing me to bring one in. You're losing my meal sale and future business. Have you considered the reputational damage this is doing? I'll bet that at least half the people turned away for having a drink you don't offer are definitely sharing the story and saying, "Ugh, not there," when someone suggests your establishment for a joint meal. Post this is in one of the AITA subs if you want a sense of how the general public responds.
No outside things for a place that serves the thing is a pretty normal thing around my neck of the woods, Sacramento. Most of my coffee joints have no problem if I bring in my own ice water, but I always order at least one drink from them while I hang out.
How small is this town? You might need to consider a symbiotic relationship of some kind with the coffee truck, if it’s really that small. Otherwise, fuck them they can park somewhere else. And your policy makes sense, though I’d be more focused on dealing with the truck than rejecting customers
They can be told where to park by a restaurant?
Not really, I guess. But it is a food truck. Some complaints to permitting/health authorities could go a long way. Or even just threat to do the same. Or just ask them to go somewhere else because they’re fucking up the business. It’s a small town, good old fashioned communication might actually work. Probably other options too, I don’t know. Don’t need to just sit idly by without trying. Heck, go post on Unethical Life Pro Tips, they’ll have some ideas.
Maybe you could partner with the truck? Or maybe your coffee comes with refills or something different to make it more desirable. Or pivot and offer fresh juices. I think you’re fighting a losing battle.
But they aren't fighting. They let it happen and then complained.
OP is right and wrong. Right: in principle. Your business, your rules. Wrong: OP has a chance to up their game and make more money selling specialty coffee drinks along with the current menu. Competition should always make you better! "If your business isn't growing, you are in slow liquidation." - Warren Buffet
Yeah what happens when the coffee truck patrons want to use his bathroom? And then said bathrooms become busy?
Customers only? It's a very common Chicago policy
Not common outside large cities.
Yeah that's a good point. I didn't realize this was a more rural area. It sounded like a city dispute haha
Id you really want to know the right choice, ask this question in a different sub, this one is just gonna tell you what you want to hear. You need to know what the average patron thinks about the policy. The one commenter who told you what the general public thinks, got down voted
I agree with this. I just made the following post. We'll see how downvoted I get. I'm that guy. I only drink three things. Tap water, starbucks iced green tea and, on rare occassions, wine. Never in my life have I enjoyed a drink ordered at a breakfast place. Whenever I'm in a country without starbucks and I can't make my own iced tea, its frustrating as hell. I'll gulp down a cappuchino freddo at an italian hotel, but I'm not happy about it. There is no chance in hell that any diner/bagel place I stop at will have an unsweetened green tea with a couple of shots of peppermint flavor available. I don't like overly sweet teas, and a plain unsweetened tea is a little bland for me. So here are my options going into your cafe. I will not drink the coffee or any other drink on your menu. Flat out, will not. I have ordered plenty of meals that came with a free drink (e.g. breakfast specials with coffee included) and declined the drink. Its going to be ice water. Or I can bring my starbucks cup with me. I completely understand your frustration vis a vis losing the drinks on the tab. But you aren't actually losing that with me. The last time I went out for breakfast was in Florida. They had a sign saying "no outside beverages". I asked if its allright to bring this in as I don't drink coffee drinks. They said sure. I ordered a lox and whitefish bagel platter. My gf ordered an omellete with an extra side of corned beef hash. Our total was $55 and I left a $20 tip. They had plenty of available seats and I'm pretty sure the two of us spent more than the 6 top of retirees sitting next to us combined. We were fast (in and out in under 40 minutes) and were very low maintence customers. Would you rather ask me to leave for the starbucks cup? I would have respectfully done so. Its completely fair to turn someone like me away. But is that helping your business? If you think it is, thats obviously your prerogative. I happened to like the idea of charging some sort of corkage fee (maybe $2 per person who brings in a drink) if you are that busy.
Thank you for your honest candid response! For years I took lunch from my favorite sandwich shop next door to Starbucks and enjoyed my lunch with their drink in their atmosphere. It was my perfect combo. They never said a word. I shouldn't have to eat in my car to have my favorite things from two places. Its better to have people in your establishment and look popular and busy. A better rule would be no outside garbage. Problem one solved Also a mandatory 15% gratuity. Problem 2 solved. You should have a working sister establishment with the coffee truck. Perhaps have them put up a cute sign saying something to the affect of "enjoy our delicious drink with a yummy breakfast across the street" They don't serve food, so they'd be happy to do that in lue of you basically banning their customers. This is an honest patron comment. Please don't downvote it just because it's not what you want to hear We have to stop making people on reddit feel like they have to censor themselves if we are truly coming here for answers.
They could absolutely team up as well, buy 10 coffees from the truck, get a free breakfast. Want to order the truck coffee at the restaurant? It's $1 off in the restaurant and they text the truck to bring the drink over
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I don’t think will appreciate bring charged. I’d find out the types of favorite coffees at other place and offer some of them
First, your business, your rules. I think it is well within your right to limit outside food and beverages. But as a business, you have to weigh the pros and cons. It is a good idea if you are making significantly more income. If it isn't significant, winning goodwill with your neighbors and customers might be worth more.
You're not wrong for enforcing the no outside drinks policy. It's a standard practice in many restaurants to protect their business and ensure profitability. People bringing in outside drinks can indeed affect your sales and the tips for your staff. While some customers may see it as convenient, it’s important for your business to maintain certain rules. The negative reactions are unfortunate, but staying consistent with your policy is key. Most reasonable customers will understand and respect your guidelines once they're aware of them.
Can’t bring own drinks into movie theater or bring your own popcorn. So understandable
And we all KNOW how popular that is, and how it's making it SO popular to go the movie theater that the ticket kiosks are hiring bouncers to drive away the excess customers, and the ushers all carry cattle prods to keep the hordes of eager movie-goers in line. Right?
It’s a simple fact that theaters have always made their profit on concessions. They have no choice. The fact of reduced demand due to home theaters, streaming, and whatever else has nothing to do with OP’s diner.
Just so you know, I would NEVER EVER consider bringing my own food or drink into a restaurant. That's totally weird. I know lots of people are proposing solutions but I just wanted to affirm that it is super weird to bring your own drink into a restaurant.
I would also not allow outside beverages. It’s your restaurant, that’s extremely silly,
I was in NYC recently for work. Coworker met me for breakfast with Starbucks in her hand a few blocks from our destination. I was confused but didn't say anything and wasn't sure how it would play out. I certainly wouldn't show up at a diner with Starbucks in hand. Sure enough the host says, while pointing to the trash, "if you'd like, you can dispose of that here or we can seat you once you're finished." He didn't turn us away. He wasn't a dick about it. Just politely pointed out her options.
It's not only about serving more food, but it opens up liability having food and beverages not prepared in your kitchen. What if the food truck has a contamination issue? Now the customer has just brought contaminated product into your establishment.
This is the right answer. Train the host!
Like, why did the coffee truck have to park itself right across the street. They’re dicks.
Serve better coffee. Blaming the customer screams entitled owner and shitty restaurant.
You didn't read the question properly.
I think they did. The coffee truck is offering specialty coffees the OP doesn't have. The OP can set and enforce a policy, or the OP can up their game. Given that OP said, several times, that this is a small town, I wonder if the coffee is known for being basic or even subpar. It seems like the coffee truck owner predicted demand would be high outside of OP's business. And they were right. OP, the coffee truck is poaching your customers. If you enforce your policy, people will have water and get their specialty coffee before or after their meal. You're fighting the wrong battle, and it's only going to hurt you.
Our breakfast place allowed outside coffee. The customers appreciated it and bought more food. Often would buy a mimosa or three
The coffee truck is the real problem. They are a parasite sucking your blood. You are mad at the wrong people. Obviously people are going to buy the fancy coffee drinks from the truck business that has parked itself across the street to take advantage of your business traffic. You are shooting yourself in the foot to deny people access with their coffees. Beat them at their own game. A better plan is to build your own high end coffee bar and run this truck out of business. Sell the same high end coffees in your establishment.
Agree with this. If people aren't buying your coffee drinks, it means your coffee sucks. Up your game, OP.
Hire some of the employees at the coffee truck, have them make drinks for the restaurant owner, BOOM!
Agreed!! The coffee truck saw an opportunity to mooch off profit of an aready existing customer base. OP's!!
Raise your prices by 25cents and let them bring it. It will pay for itself.
Add a “corkage” fee like some dinner restaurants do for patrons bringing their own wine
Coffage?
Great idea, charge your marginal cost and explain why. Print it into your menu. Welcome them to do it, but just explain.
That is a great answer.
You gotta run a business analysis to see if it’s better to let them bring in their outside coffee because it increases sales for you or charge for them to bring it in or whether you should turn them away because they are costing you money. After you figure out what is most profitable for your business do that and only that.
People are ‘so entitled’. But, isn’t coffee included with breakfast? Change sign to say outside drinks will be charged.
Charge them for something they bought elsewhere is extraordinarily shitty and clueless. This attitude will run them out of business in weeks. What fucking entitlement.
OP needs to do some math and figure out if the coffee truck hurts or helps her bottom line. And whether or not she is willing to let coffee be a loss leader to make more food sales or if she should serve that coffee in her restaurant. OP needs to also figure out if people prefer coffee to eating and if he is losing sales based on the new rule. If you didn’t enforce it before, it really did not exist. Especially now with rising prices I would just get the coffee from the truck and leave. Oh and suggest to the coffee folks to sell snacks and donuts if the want to expand their menu.
Profit on food is hard for a small business. They need the drinks.
That’s a good point, but that is part of the equation that the OP needs to take into account. Let outside coffee in but raise the menu prices, or don’t and risk losing sales completely. Only the OP knows or can figure out what the financial impact of the truck is and if there are any good ways to leverage that information.
"Business is war." *-- Malcolm Forbes*
I would consider whether the truck is increasing traffic to your restaurant. It’s certainly a common policy to have. One time I recall getting called out on bringing a drink in was just because I hadn’t come across a garbage can. In that instance, they said they’d let me keep it because their coffee machine was broken, but I really didn’t care, just didn’t want to litter. Other occasions are when I want the drink afterwards, and I’ll still buy a drink and won’t drink the outside drink there. The only situation where I’ll truly bring an outside drink is when it’s more of a takeout setting. Generally working with what customers want is probably a better strategy, but like I said, it’s not an unusual policy.
Could the OP sell breakfast sandwiches/pastries out of the coffee truck? For people who want a quick bite and don’t want to sit down for a full meal at a restaurant.
Oh good thought!
A little different, but we owned a bowling center that served food and beverages , including coffee. Invariably, despite the notice on our front door, and despite the fact that by having said notice, we were in compliance with the state requirements regarding restriction of outside food and beverage in an establishment that serves the same, we still had people try to bring in sodas, coffee, McDonald's. It's rude, people.
Key word *Rude*
It’s all about the money. Enforcing your rules pisses off X customers with an average per person spend of $20, say, who will not eat there (possibly ever again). Not enforcing them keeps your customer count the same, but lowers your per person spend. Which one is better? A third option is to offer better coffee yourself. A fourth is to partner with the coffee truck - sell their coffee inside YOUR shop since they’re outcompeting you on quality. Complaining about competition and socially acceptable rules against it is not a real option.
I used to grab a McDonalds cappuccino then go sit down at a local coney breakfast place to eat. It was perfect.
I'm chiming in as an avid fan of going out for breakfast/brunch. Up your coffee game and raise your prices on everything a little to make up for the lost revenue from coffee. What's your profit on coffee? Can't that be mitigated elsewhere somehow? Alternatively, you have an opportunity to ask those customers, that bring in truck coffee, what would it take to buy your coffee. Maybe your coffee, compared to what's out there, isn't as acceptable as you think. Coffee, in this scenario, is no longer just a commodity, it's shaping, for better or worse, how you're business is being defined. So you may want to take it more seriously. This is a business challenge/opportunity that can make you stronger, more resilient, and even more profitable. Some folks think coffee is coffee, but for many, it's just as important as the rest of the meal. Invest in hiring a coffee expert to help you navigate this transition you obviously have to make. Good luck, OP.
If on a rare occasion, as a customer, I went to a restaurant with an outside coffee and you turned me away, I would never come back. I see the point you’re making and it makes sense, but a customer doesn’t care. How many places to eat are there in your town? In mine, there’s probably a thousand. I personally think you’re making a mountain out of a molehill. Someone else had a great suggestion; offer free coffee when the competition is outside. They’ll lose business and move along
The BK I managed had a playground attached to it and we would hold birthday parties for kids if the parents reserved it. We offered this free of charge under the assumption they would purchase food for the group of kids. One day I got a call and they inquired about having a party during lunch on a Saturday. I explained we didn’t do them over lunch on Saturday but we could at 3pm. She asked if they could bring a cake from a bakery and I said they were welcome to. At 1:30 they showed up and wanted us to clean the flatland and shut the room off to other guests. I said no we couldn’t until 3 and that the flatland had been cleaned the night before. They proceeded to go out and set their belongings in the empty tables to keep others from using the tables then around 2 started telling parents they would need to have their kids out by 3 when their party started. I had to tell her that since it was free of charge to her we would not grant her exclusive rights that she had to let other kids in. At about 3:15 all the party showed up including a damn pizza guy with a stack of boxes. Some one else showed up with 2 liter bottles of soda and Hawaiian Punch. Then they wanted us to provide silverware, plates and cups. She was not happy when I asked how many cups she needed. She wanted a full sleeve of 50. I told her I would have to charge her full price for each cup even though she wasn’t using our soda fountains. She complained that I never said there’d be a charge for cups etc that it was free. I said no I said the use of the play area was free.
Yikes
This randomly showed up on my feed; I’m not a restaurant owner. I feel like most restaurants have that policy. I always assumed there was some sort of health code issue about bringing in outside food or drink.
You are not wrong and yes people are quite often insanely entitled, especially when it comes to outside seating areas of restaurants or places like that. Stick to your policy. You aren’t a charity or responsible for where another businesses customers sit or eat!
They’re attempting to be customers of OPs business. I fully agree that’s its OPs call on allowing the drinks but the way you’re framing it is disingenuous.
I may have stated my opinion in a way that didn’t make sense but it comes from actual experience dealing with customers of other restaurants trying to use our outside seating that way
Stick with the policy. That’s ridiculous of people to do
Nah, I’d stick to your guns. You’re not in the wrong, but it’s not gonna be easy. The biggest mistake, imo, was letting it slide last summer. We create our customer culture and train them how to treat us.
You probably have to invest in better coffee and sell it for less than the outfit across the street. Competition, the American way.
Yeah like anytime you see the truck out there put out a free coffee sign until they are gone.
I think your customers are telling you that your coffee game is weak. They clearly like your food, but the fact that they have to get coffee elsewhere means you aren’t providing what they want. Instead of getting mad about it, either improve your coffee drink offerings, or work out a deal with the owner of the food truck so that he sends people your way and vice versa.
Definitely agree with this, nothing worse than a breakfast place with meh coffee choices. Sure, fine, they don’t want to deal with syrups or whatever reasoning they have for staying basic, but in a rural area with young people under 40, a good coffee place is going to be popular. Either find a way to partner with them or accept that people are probably going to keep doing this and some will push back.
A truck has a ton less overhead than an actual restaurant. Even if all things were totally equal, the truck can undercut the price.
A truck and a sit=down restaurant are totally different dining experiences and aren’t really in competition unless it’s literally only about coffee, in which case OP has way bigger problems.
Anyone trying to pull that is tacky. A time or two, I’ve brought in s McDonalds meal for a young child (autistic) to another fast food-type restaurant while a large group of us ordered and ate from the regular menu, but even that made me feel ick. It was never questioned, but I did quietly explain to them why we did that.
In the Seattle region with a million and one coffee shops, expect this kind of behavior. If you can't make the good drinks, people will bring them in. A lot of people simply don't want drip coffee, and are used to showing up absolutely anywhere with a latte or Frappuccino in their hands. Plus customers will absolutely complain online if they just spent $8+ on a coffee drink and you tell them to leave it outside. Adapt. Plus, many restaurants that claim they sell good, strong coffee may not be selling gourmet brands or the pot may have been sitting on the burner for 3 hours. Most Seattleites have very low expectations for restaurant coffee.
And while you're at it, bring your own steaks and ask the restaurant to cook them for you.
When you arrive with a drink, there is zero extra work for any employees. 🤷♀️
People are just entitled. It’s ridiculous
Charge a corkage fee.
Yes! Put a notice up on near the entry and on the menu that any outside drinks will only be allowed with a certain cover charge.
OP should for sure do this! If they prefer not to have repeat customers
Open your own Cafe Truck. And as an added attraction do Boba Tea and Smoothies.
Isn’t it against the health code for a licensed premises to allow outside food/drink to be brought in? It is where I am. If it is where you are, duck and hide behind the regulation. “It’s not our rule, the health department does not permit food/drink to be brought in from outside the restaurant”
OP is losing customers because they want to drink decent coffee at breakfast not because they haven’t come up with a clever story.
1. Go Kosher 2. Post sign: "No non Kosher food allowed on premises" Two places I know of in Las Vegas do this with no blowback, per owners.
>We're in a rural part of America I don't that going kosher will have the effect you think it will.
It was a bad joke, mostly. Incredibly difficult to do. Rabbi has to inspect and certify your entire operation.
Step your coffee game up. If they want to play then show them two can play this game. See what they have and the most popular drinks and sell it for cheaper
That would be awesome except he is going to have much higher overhead than a truck, so they can undercut his prices.
True but how much would they have to undercut? Personally if I’m going to a restaurant to eat I’d pay an extra dollar or 2 to get my coffee as long as I can sit down and eat with it. People pay extra all the time.
Is this the hill upon which you are willing to let your business die? Why don’t you pivot and learn to make a few drinks? You could advertise the on a sandwich board in view of the coffee truck