Non profit restaurant -- pay what you wish -- what are your thoughts?

[imagine]

Here is an article about a non profit - pay a donation - restaurant.

New Panera location says pay what you want - Food Inc.- msnbc.com

What are your thoughts?

[Greebo]

I think that's going to be a "STORE FRONT FOR LEASE" spot very soon.

[mama2James]

I love the concept.. curious to see how it will work out!

[imagine]

So you don't think it will stay afloat based on the honor system?

Like they suggest in this paragraph of the article

"Other similar experiements have worked. The One World Salt Lake City restaurant has operated as a nonprofit with pay-what-you-want prices since 2003, said founder Denise Cerreta. She works for a foundation that helps similar restaurants open around the county. She said the places don't get swarmed by crowds and emptied, but have managed to stay afloat based on the honor system."

[Greebo]

So you don't think it will stay afloat based on the honor system?

Like they suggest in this paragraph of the article

"Other similar experiements have worked. The One World Salt Lake City restaurant has operated as a nonprofit with pay-what-you-want prices since 2003, said founder Denise Cerreta. She works for a foundation that helps similar restaurants open around the county. She said the places don't get swarmed by crowds and emptied, but have managed to stay afloat based on the honor system."

Do they serve people who make NO donation?

[imagine]

Do they serve people who make NO donation?

Interesting question. The article just said that you didn't have to pay if you didn't want to and pointed to the tip jar. It went on to say that most people paid full price but some gave themselves a few dollar discount and some paid half price.

Sounds like this store wanted you to donate something as it said "Customers are told to donate what they want for a meal, whether it's the full suggested price, a penny or $100."

[Russ]

I think that's going to be a "STORE FRONT FOR LEASE" spot very soon.

Because no matter what, SOMEONE will ruin it. SOMEONE will take advantage.

[Greebo]

If they require at least SOMETHING then most people will pay what they think is right.

If they don't require payment at ALL then the freeloaders will eventually destroy it.

[druthb00]

I see it crashing and burning rather quickly....especially with how many people are jobless right now. 'Pay what you want' easily translates to 'Eat for free' for people who are desperate. It'll turn into a soup kitchen in no time...and then it'll be gone.

[imagine]

If they require at least SOMETHING then most people will pay what they think is right.

If they don't require payment at ALL then the freeloaders will eventually destroy it.

So their suggestion of paying what you want and suggesting regular price, a penny, or $100 more than full price would make people pay what they think is right/fair? That they would do the right thing?

"It all depends on whether customers will abide by the motto that hangs above the deli counter: "Take what you need, leave your fair share."

[Greebo]

So their suggestion of paying what you want and suggesting regular price, a penny, or $100 more than full price would make people pay what they think is right/fair? That they would do the right thing?

I'm trying to parse your question here but I'm having a hard time grasping the meaning of your question.

Would suggesting an amount *make* people pay? No. Requiring that people pay *something* but letting them decide how much will, I think, resulting in people *choosing* to pay a fair price.

Most people believe in the golden rule - they don't want to be freeloaders and they don't want to be ripped off.

I think it will also depend a lot on the neighborhood this gets tried in.

[imagine]

Greebo If they require at least SOMETHING then most people will pay what they think is right.

If they don't require payment at ALL then the freeloaders will eventually destroy it.

Russ
Quote:
Originally Posted by Greebo View Post
I think that's going to be a "STORE FRONT FOR LEASE" spot very soon.


Because no matter what, SOMEONE will ruin it. SOMEONE will take advantage.

Hmm thinking thinking... ( definitively not arguing just exploring the concept)

What if there was a free toys store. Where you could get free toys for your kids ( no charge for anyone). Once a month you could get two toys free for your children. All you had to do was write down your name so they knew you had already picked something up that month.

Would that work? or since they don't charge anything it would be destined to be store front for lease too?

[imagine]

I'm trying to parse your question here but I'm having a hard time grasping the meaning of your question.

Would suggesting an amount *make* people pay? No. Requiring that people pay *something* but letting them decide how much will, I think, resulting in people *choosing* to pay a fair price.

Most people believe in the golden rule - they don't want to be freeloaders and they don't want to be ripped off.

I think it will also depend a lot on the neighborhood this gets tried in.

You understood my question and answered in very nicely.

Do you think some people would pay the share of others? Say someone knows that some can't/don't pay much and some they pay "that other person share too" Would some pay the $100 so to speak?
Is that what the whole experiment hinges on?

[imagine]

Here is another article that looks at the pay what you want Panera Bread restaurant
Non-profit Panera cafe: Take what you need, pay what you can - USATODAY.com

quotes from the article:

"Imagine walking into a Panera Bread and picking out anything you wanted to eat or drink — then, at the end of the line, instead of handing your money to a cashier, you faced a donation box.

What would you do if you knew that some of the money you placed in the box would be used to train at-risk youths or to feed folks lacking funds to feed themselves?"

"A sign at the entrance says: "Take what you need, leave your fair share." Customers who can't pay are asked to donate their time. The cafe opened Sunday and will operate seven days a week from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m."

"It's a fascinating psychological question," says Shaich, who says he's dreamed of doing something like this for years. "There's no pressure on anyone to leave anything. But if no one left anything, we wouldn't be open long."

"Experts are divided on whether the concept can work."

[imagine]

The thoughts with the "Mommy school pick up" crowd was that a the non profit panera bread resturant will fail.

I guess I just want to be a bit more optimistic about human nature.