Sneaky tricks restaurants are using to cut cost

[kst$]

I have recently gone to dinner and I did not notice smaller portions or that much of a difference in the prices. However I do live in a small town so maybe this is hitting the big cities more. But look what to watch out for the next time you can afford to go to dinner.

Cut back on portions:
Restaurants normally spend between 25% and 40% of their budgets on food, according to Barry Brown, president of Profit Strategies Solutions, which sells software for restaurants to manage inventory and profitability.

So if they can make a smaller hamburger and still sell it for the same price, their profits go up.

Cut back on the most expensive ingredients:
The chef may prefer to load up on shrimp when preparing his signature gumbo, but he knows his job depends on restricting the number to four or five per serving.

See what else to look for in
Sneaky Restaurants tricks for cutting cost.

By Carol Vinzant

I can't really blame the restaurant industry for doing some of these trick after all that is what is done by most businesses. Passing the buck to the consumer.

[moneysense]

I for one cant afford to eat out much, so I intend to eat where the servings are the same size as before, and the same amount of ingredients are used or I will quit eating out altogether.

The answer to these things are simple. Take the restaurants off your list of things to do. We are actually the ones in control if you stop and think about it. Without us, they have no business period.

[dollardaze]

I see this in a different light, I guess. I think that the portion sizes of food served in Americas restaurants are way too large in the first place. Hence we have a television show called "The Biggest Loser". I believe that if the portion sizes were more in keeping with the portion sizes we should be eating, Americans wouldn't be the fat people that we are. I for one am glad that the portion sizes are getting smaller, perhaps our children and grandchildren won't have to battle the bulge as much as we do.

[I-luvmoney]

if the portions sizes are getting smaller ok but let the price reflect it also i mean dont charge us more for less

i know the cost of food is going up and as the gas prices go up
so will everything else so i say by in bulk and stay home and cook

[pennypinch]

I agree that the portion sizes probably should be smaller in a lot of restaurants. I also agree that the prices should be cheaper in that case.

Here is another little tidbit about restaurants that my brother-in-law tells me. I do not have facts to base this on, it is purely what he says. He has to eat lunch out a lot due to his job. When he goes to the drive thru at a fast food restaurant he will not request any condiments until he has paid because they charge you for every one they give you! I would think for the amount they charge you for some french fries that they could give you some ketchup but thats apparently not the case. So, if you are like him and eat at fast food restaurants alot, ask for your extras after you have paid. Maybe by the end of the work week you will have saved enough for your friday burger!

[kst$]

Nice tip pennypinch. I recently ate at Dennys and I have to say they have not raised there prices yet and they are still serving the same amount of food. No its not outback or red lobster but I still like to go there and eat a good full meal when I'm hungry. But I also have to agree the portions could be small in most cases and the price should reflect as such.