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system
Guest
Hi,
We are in the process of putting together a business lunch program. This is business that we really haven’t gone after in the two years since we’ve been open, instead focusing more on dinner business. But, we have so much excess capacity during the day that we can really go after this now.
Because of some complaints that we’ve heard about the ways other pizza places have handled business customers, we’ve decided to put together a “Program” for them. This includes:
My question is, what do you all think of this program, and should I add or remove anything? This is new territory for us; I want to make sure all the bases are covered.
Also, have any of you done the free lunch thing with LARGE businesses? We have a few very close by with a couple hundred employees. It seems like a big risk, but one order could make it all worth while.
We are in the process of putting together a business lunch program. This is business that we really haven’t gone after in the two years since we’ve been open, instead focusing more on dinner business. But, we have so much excess capacity during the day that we can really go after this now.
Because of some complaints that we’ve heard about the ways other pizza places have handled business customers, we’ve decided to put together a “Program” for them. This includes:
- Them filling out an information sheet with name, address, fax number and contact. They agree on this form to allow us to send lunch special faxes no more than twice per week.
- Once signed up, the ability to order from us outside of our hours, early or late, provided they give us one day notice. We have two owners, a GM and an AM that can work extra hours outside of normal business hours on short notice.
- Consistent, scaled discounts. This is the biggest complaint we’ve heard about other pizza places. Sometimes they would order and get a 10% discount, then the next time on the exact same order they would get no discount… all depending on who answered the phone. We’re thinking of discounts ranging from 10% on all orders up to 30-35% on large orders, graduated in between.
- Credit terms. This one’s touchy for me, but I believe this could bring a lot more business. Businesses love terms; I know I do. It also facilitates the billing for them. We’re thinking 30-day terms, with a 2% discount for payments made within 10. Businesses with no D&B rating or with a poor D&B rating will have to leave a credit card on file with us. If collections get out of hand, I’ll just have to cut it off… we don’t want to hire a full time receiveables department.
- Member-only specials, faxed to them in the morning.
- Discounts are only valid if we are delivering to their address on file, or to a remote location where they are working (like a construction company). This is the only way I can think of to stop their employees from taking advantage of discounts on their personal time… just by saying it’s for company “XYZ”
- The ability to fax orders directly to us using an order form. I’m working on an online order form that would e-mail the order to us as well.
- Must have at least 5 employees. No “basement businesses” or independant contractors or anything like that. If we’re giving discounts, we need volume in return.
- A company “sales rep” that they can contact directly for order questions, problems, comments, complaints, etc. This will be me for now, but we have the idea of using one of our employees as a commissioned sales rep for business sales. InfoUsa reports that we have 2,261 businesses with over 5 employees in a 5-mile radius. Somebody could make themselves some decent money selling these accounts.
My question is, what do you all think of this program, and should I add or remove anything? This is new territory for us; I want to make sure all the bases are covered.
Also, have any of you done the free lunch thing with LARGE businesses? We have a few very close by with a couple hundred employees. It seems like a big risk, but one order could make it all worth while.