Pay as you go Cafe

http://www.usatoday.com/money/industrie ... 53207382/1

Pretty interesting concept and results. People are actually willing to pay and volunteer when given a chance, unlike free entitlement programs. It may be interesting to see if this works on a national scale. Good idea?

The menus at Panera Cares Cafe wouldn't list prices, only suggested donations, and rather than handing money to a clerk, customers would drop their coins and bills into donation bins at the counter.

The company estimates that about 20% of patrons give more than the suggested donation, about 20% give less or nothing, and about 60% leave the suggested amount.

REDECULOUS. The government needs to step in and regulate this just like a kids kool aid stand.

We know the conservatives will hate it...someone who doesn't deserve it might get something for nothing. Maybe they could drug test everyone who doesn't make the suggested donation.

archer wrote: We know the conservatives will hate it...someone who doesn't deserve it might get something for nothing. Maybe they could drug test everyone who doesn't make the suggested donation.

Why would any consevative hate it?
It is not tax payer money. Sounds swell to me.

Perhaps you are just lost in a cesspool of liberal bile and hate.

neptunechimney wrote:

archer wrote: We know the conservatives will hate it...someone who doesn't deserve it might get something for nothing. Maybe they could drug test everyone who doesn't make the suggested donation.

Why would any consevative hate it?
It is not tax payer money. Sounds swell to me.

Perhaps you are just lost in a cesspool of liberal bile and hate.

The only bile and hate seems to be coming from you. Maybe its time to examine your own cesspool.

I have to wonder about how the demographics associated with this idea would effect the success or failure of a restaurant. IMHO this kind of cafe would probably do very well in a wealthy area like Cherry Creek, Vail, or Aspen. How well would the same cafe do in Five Points, Capital Hill, or North Denver?

Those who have the money to eat out are likely to feel generous in return for good food and good service, those who don't have the money to eat out but can because they don't have to pay would likely treat this like welfare.

From a business perspective I can't see how this would make a business viable, especially a restaurant. Food costs fluctuate with the seasons, cost of fuel, and demand for various products. Keeping a competent staff in a restaurant is difficult which can effect food quality and consistency, customer service, and ultimately harm customer loyalty. If paying for the food is optional then "customers" who have no money to begin with don't care so much about the quality of the food or the service, they just want to eat.

otisptoadwater wrote: I have to wonder about how the demographics associated with this idea would effect the success or failure of a restaurant. IMHO this kind of cafe would probably do very well in a wealthy area like Cherry Creek, Vail, or Aspen. How well would the same cafe do in Five Points, Capital Hill, or North Denver?

Those who have the money to eat out are likely to feel generous in return for good food and good service, those who don't have the money to eat out but can because they don't have to pay would likely treat this like welfare.

From a business perspective I can't see how this would make a business viable, especially a restaurant. Food costs fluctuate with the seasons, cost of fuel, and demand for various products. Keeping a competent staff in a restaurant is difficult which can effect food quality and consistency, customer service, and ultimately harm customer loyalty. If paying for the food is optional then "customers" who have no money to begin with don't care so much about the quality of the food or the service, they just want to eat.

What about a small town like Conifer or Bailey? I can see this also doing well in a place like Greenwich Village NYC. If people have a stake in the town and the success of it's businesses wouldn't they want such a place to succeed? Those who can afford to eat out would be willing to pay the donation or more if the food is good, and tip the staff.......and those who really need the help with the cost of food I would think they would still contribute something. I'm not much of a libertarian, but I do subscribe to the theory that given the opportunity people will do the right thing. (why am I not a libertarian? because I don't believe that theory holds true for big business)

archer wrote: [The only bile and hate seems to be coming from you. Maybe its time to examine your own cesspool.

Really? I invite you to point it out;
Examine your own. LOL, and around and around we go.

neptunechimney wrote:

archer wrote: [The only bile and hate seems to be coming from you. Maybe its time to examine your own cesspool.

Really? I invite you to point it out;
Examine your own. LOL, and around and around we go.

Yep....same old, same old. I make a statement you don't like so you hurl insults at me.....that sure is a productive way to handle a discussion. If you didn't like my assessment of conservatives then you are welcome to point out the error in my post.....but this insult really was over the top.

Perhaps you are just lost in a cesspool of liberal bile and hate.

I guess you didn't like it either when it came back at you, so why did you post it in the first place?

Come on archer, you are the one who immediately pulled out your conservative paint brush and I'm not sure why. It always starts with one person, and this time it was you. Why don't you backup your assumption...remember, this is not some government program, it's a private business that is risking nobody's money other than their own. Show us why you think conservatives would be upset by what this PRIVATE company is doing. I think you may be a bit confused.