|
BUZZTIME REPORT
Making Money From the Game
The people have once again spoken in
this month’s Buzztime Report. OK, well, they didn’t speak so much as
mash a button, but from those fingertips comes a wealth of knowledge
for you on-premise players out there looking for the winning cash
combination this fall. Autumn is, after all, under the domain of the
lazy boy, the bowl of pretzels, the can of beer. Get them up, get them
out and serve them well. It will mean repeat business and friendships
discovered –– and often rediscovered. Sports seasons at bars are a
perfect place for old friends to catch up and socialize.
All Around 
From this entire report, the most brilliant information comes in the
fact that all the sports options offered in the first question came out
with a fighting chance.
While professional football still took the lead for viewers, it is by
no means a runaway category at 30 percent. This is great news for every
type of bar. For those with the budget to buy an NFL viewing package
this fall, it is –– as always –– a wise investment. However, trying
something new such as promotions run around an NCAA football team (25
percent), NASCAR (17 percent) or even Formula One might be better
suited to your establishment, especially if your place isn’t a
straight-out sports bar. There are sports fans, and then there are
sports fans. So, get creative and entice those every-so-often,
one-game-a-season viewers. Make your bar the place to catch a game for
those fans who don’t want to endure curse words and chicken wings
flying every time there’s a bad pass.
The second question asked to bar guests should hold no shock value. The
bar business is a combination of many things, but your bottles on your
back bar are the paddle to your canoe. You can't get anywhere with
great service on a terrible product, and people frequent your bar
because it is a bar. And for the upcoming sports season, nothing goes
with a game like a cold beer, as stated by a 48-percent portion of
those polled.
 A suggestion for increased profits would be checking out some of the
seasonal microbrews in your area. It is beneficial to you and another
local business, it shows you are serious about providing unique and
refreshing service, it is a hot trend right now and your customers will
appreciate it.
Friends At the Finals
The final two questions are fairly one-sided. People will watch their
favorite games, no matter the hour. If it is an early game, stock up on
Bloody Marys and Mimosas, and add some lighter appetizers or a brunch
menu. Later in the evening, focus your bar-backs on restocking the
energy drinks and the popular items such as Jägermeister, and don’t be
afraid to let it get a little wild –– and it just might. This fall, it
is all about friends, as 65 percent of those polled reported. So, make
new ones — your
customers.
NCB
|
