First, let it be said that my usage of nearly ALL of the restaurants has already assumed the `new normal’ of the Great Recession. Regardless of what cheerleading the media may be doing about the economy - most folks are now cautious on discretionary spending - of which, restaurant visits - even to a degree Fast Food restaurant visits - has been impacted.
In alphabetical order:
Arby’s - I `responded’ to the ads for the `Roast Burger’ earlier in the year and was not impressed. I refused to respond to the Marry a Goat `humor’ ad campaign and somewhat like the recent 5.01 combo or pricing (the one cent being for Quality). That said, generally, I perceive that Arby’s as expensive without having coupons from the coupon mail drop a few times a year. Additionally, they `streamlined’ their `fries’ - dropping my favorite the Homestyle. How can they NOT promote the Jamoca Shake?
Atlanta Bread Company (ABC) - Remodeled nicely. Upgraded to real plates and silverware. Messy to clean up. Can be crowded and slow service. Female favorite. Good soups and combo prices. Mellow atmosphere.
Burger Inn - Local legend - all fresh cooked. Great breakfast customer base. Friendly people; newspapers available often. Excellent onion rings. Beefy hamburgers. Male favorite.
Burger King - I like the current billboard promotion about the Double Cheeseburger for a buck, real value - but - haven’t gotten it. I have ordered the Mini burgers more than once however and view that as an excellent addition. Amazingly, the Woodstock BK got rid of Real Sweet Tea years ago (my assumption is that is still the case) and thereby nearly ended my usage — I can’t stand the fake sweet tea out of a machine. Operations should be aware that changing ICONic drinks can have a big effect. — Finally, where is the KING?
Capt. D’s - Perhaps my favorite FF in Woodstock. Quality, Quick, and Quantity with good value pricing. Covers all reasonable price points including lunch specials and on-going `specialities’ that have all prices. Excellent choice of sides. Funny ads earlier in the year comparing to Red Lobster pricing. Friendly greeting and thanking when exiting. Good inside music.
Checkers - Still a viable concept (double drive thru) - chicken wings were a good addition earlier in year - somehow it fits. Catchy phrase “you gotta eat” recognizable for smaller chain levels of advertising. Covers all price points well with a good mix of products. The Woodstock store does Sunday Pricing - good idea - hasn’t ever motivated me for their `down sized’ versions. Could probably `play-up’ the FUN theme a little bit more.
Chick-Fil-A - Woodstock’s Chick-Fil-A is amazingly busy. Overwhelmingly busy whenever they do a promotion like 2-1 for a chicken sandwich or free food giveaway. Excellent quick service regardless of how long the lines are - especially at the drive-thru. (However, I’ve detected a time or two a usage of `workers in India’ taking my orders — I’m not kidding - and, in this time of underemployment in America - that is NOT right to save a few cents that way.) Real Milk Shakes were genius. Consistent quality. Friendly employees. Clean. ————— All that said, the Woodstock inside service in the sit-down area can be horrid and when is Chick-Fil-A gonna get some normal fries? Also, one takes a chance when getting the baked potato.
Dairy Queen - The standard in Ice Cream desserts from the drive-thru. Haven’t used but really like the new pricing structure in ads 2/3 3/4 4/5.00 - interesting approach. Unfortunately, for me, the food hasn’t broke thru.
Dunkin Donuts - Right on the Strip - I’ve never used location. Certainly they can advertise donuts and donut prices more. (IF I knew a quick Donut sweet was 99 cents for example - it would come to mind for `dessert’ or breakfast purchase more often. Never seen a place less concerned with establishing a price point understanding. Just how much does a dozen donuts cost?)
Firehouse Subs - Expensive but Excellent. Can be slow. Friendly employees. TV’s to watch. Good real sweet tea. Small, can be crowded.
Five Guys Hamburgers - Tangential to Woodstock in Sandy Plains area — good operation - waiting for a Woodstock Location (several good places available perhaps too).
IHOP - Expensive, right? What specials?
KFC - Closed but not forgotten. Also was one, like BK, to drop sweet tea for a time.
Krystal’s - Krystal `fix’ a must a few times a year. (Canton Road.) Ad’s featuring Crispy Onions on burger looks very compelling. Wi-Fi add - good idea.
McDonald’s - Woodstocks unit re-designs and updates the interiour often - which is nice. Clean. Service can range from excellent to very poor (weekends). Can often find an AJC or USA today in newspaper bin. Separate kids area - thumbs up. Fries can vary in quality. Best FF fish sandwich.
New China Buffet - Lunch value leader. Good quality food. Friendly employees. Priced by the pound to go. Widest variety of food.
O’Charlies - Stopped going shortly after changed menu restricting Prime Rib to Sundays only.
Panda Express - Have never used. Pass by back of lot 3 times a week on way to Walmart.
Po Folks - AKA Folks —> Expesive for what you get.
Ruby Tuesday’s — How could they get rid of German Potato Salad? (pet peeve). Good miniburgers and platter pricing. Easy to split orders. Great salad bar still.
Sonic - I really like their ad’s inside the car with the main guy and his friend and the main guy and his wife. Classic. Best onion rings in Woodstock at FF. To me, tasteless burgers. Fun to use. Daypart pricing on drinks in the afternoon. Fun music playing.
Steak And Shake - Best Milkshake in Woodstock. Can be very expensive without coupons and very reasonable with coupons. Great variety of sides. Great music inside.
Subway - Good with pricing with coupons. Good quality. Can be SLOW service. GOOD real sweet tea. Fresh. Daily specials a good way to address pricing. Excellent variety of sandwiches.
Taco Bell - Good cheap price positioning. Good Chalupa’s. Good real sweet tea. Good service speed. Good quality overall.
Wendy’s - Huge variety in quality - excellent one time - poorish the next. What the heck happened to the fries - almost tasteless compared to yesteryear. I’m told good salads. Expensiveish compared to McD’s. Baked potato good price/quality.
Thanks for reading - feel free to comment.
Here’s some links also:
KFC Closes Its Doors to Fight Hunger - http://www.slashfood.com/2009/09/30/kfc-closes-its-doors-to-fight-hunger/?icid=main|htmlws-main|dl5|link6|http%3A%2F%2Fwww.slashfood.com%2F2009%2F09%2F30%2Fkfc-closes-its-doors-to-fight-hunger%2F Community involvemet matters - look at the results of the survey on this page too.
A Real Whopper? NASCAR’s Stewart to take live polygraph test in ad - http://www.walletpop.com/blog/2009/09/30/a-real-whopper-nascars-stewart-to-take-live-polygraph-test-in//?icid=main|htmlws-main|dl1|link5|http%3A%2F%2Fwww.walletpop.com%2Fblog%2F2009%2F09%2F30%2Fa-real-whopper-nascars-stewart-to-take-live-polygraph-test-in%2F%2F BK, attention grabber again.
Eat, drink, and spend money: Restaurants ply diners with cheap booze - http://www.dailyfinance.com/2009/09/29/eat-drink-and-spend-money-restaurants-ply-diners-with-cheap-b/#continued?icid=main|htmlws-main|dl3|link3|http%3A%2F%2Fwww.dailyfinance.com%2F2009%2F09%2F29%2Feat-drink-and-spend-money-restaurants-ply-diners-with-cheap-b%2F%23continued
