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Post by trackrat on Mar 14, 2008 14:42:06 GMT -5
Keith, as a long time Northfield patron, I remember when the concession stands had hot chocolate machines, which I always preferred to the brown water that Northfield claims is "coffee."
Two questions that I probably already know the answer to, but what the heck:
1) Is there any chance at all that Northfield can upgrade their coffee? McDonald's did it with their premium coffee, which was a big improvement. Even Bob Evans now has a "Signature" coffee blend. Doesn't GFS sell a premium coffee?
2) I don't suspect there is any chance that Northfield can resurrect a hot chocolate machine?
Thanks for taking to time to tell me:
1) No.
2) No.
Just kidding. Sorta. Hey, I'm still waiting for that Kosher hot dog too!! Did you see where Consumer Reports rated Hebrew National as the best hot dog in America?
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Post by thegiss on Mar 14, 2008 15:03:10 GMT -5
Keith, as a long time Northfield patron, I remember when the concession stands had hot chocolate machines, which I always preferred to the brown water that Northfield claims is "coffee." Two questions that I probably already know the answer to, but what the heck: 1) Is there any chance at all that Northfield can upgrade their coffee? McDonald's did it with their premium coffee, which was a big improvement. Even Bob Evans now has a "Signature" coffee blend. Doesn't GFS sell a premium coffee? 2) I don't suspect there is any chance that Northfield can resurrect a hot chocolate machine? Thanks for taking to time to tell me: 1) No. 2) No. Just kidding. Sorta. Hey, I'm still waiting for that Kosher hot dog too!! Did you see where Consumer Reports rated Hebrew National as the best hot dog in America? I will forward it and get you a response. My lil brother's company (Con Agra) makes Hebrew Nationalk puppies-- the best there are ( I ha dtheir knockwurst for lunch today, in fact) |
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Post by poohollar on Mar 14, 2008 22:53:27 GMT -5
( I ha dtheir knockwurst for lunch today, in fact) Is that what smelled? ;D FYI----We all loved the comment you made on how to get Sherman's horses beat........GISS OF DEATH! All of us but Kent that is.  |
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Post by thegiss on Mar 17, 2008 9:22:26 GMT -5
Keith, as a long time Northfield patron, I remember when the concession stands had hot chocolate machines, which I always preferred to the brown water that Northfield claims is "coffee." Two questions that I probably already know the answer to, but what the heck: 1) Is there any chance at all that Northfield can upgrade their coffee? McDonald's did it with their premium coffee, which was a big improvement. Even Bob Evans now has a "Signature" coffee blend. Doesn't GFS sell a premium coffee? 2) I don't suspect there is any chance that Northfield can resurrect a hot chocolate machine? Thanks for taking to time to tell me: 1) No. 2) No. Just kidding. Sorta. Hey, I'm still waiting for that Kosher hot dog too!! Did you see where Consumer Reports rated Hebrew National as the best hot dog in America? Rat- Here is a respoonse from Jae R Cho- Keith, In the 9 months I have been here at Northfield Park, there have been 3 comments about coffee (Maybe from the same person). We can change the coffee but we would have to increase the cost we charge. Coffee is the Number One item we sell (by far) and we would be upsetting a whole lot of people by increasing our prices. (Our margins are decreasing for the last two years already since we have not changed prices even though our food cost has increased.) Having said that, I am still looking into other coffees as well as bring in a Hot Chocolate/Cappuccino machine. (Yes it will cost more then what we have sold for in the past.) Any other issues please let me know. Jae R. Cho Director of Food and Beverage Northfield Park Associates, LLC |
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Post by jay44224 on Mar 17, 2008 10:27:50 GMT -5
Keith,
I can understand where trackrat is coming from. I drink on average about 8 - 10 cups of coffee a day. Got addicted to it when I was in sales. There are 2 places I do not order coffee Northfield is one of them - never complained - just do not order it. If they had an option for a good dark roast, with real half and half - I would purchase.
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Post by trackrat on Mar 17, 2008 14:37:24 GMT -5
In the 9 months I have been here at Northfield Park, there have been 3 comments about coffee (Maybe from the same person). We can change the coffee but we would have to increase the cost we charge. Coffee is the Number One item we sell (by far) and we would be upsetting a whole lot of people by increasing our prices. Keith, your food guy hasn't been at Northfield long enough to know that Northfield patrons don't complain about the products (food, beverage, ) because they have been subjected to so many years of hearing that the food service was contracted out and there was nothing that could be done about the food/beverages, etc. I would venture to say that IF Northfield provided a premium coffee and it actually tasted like a premium, full-bodied cup of coffee, you would get no complaints about the price increase. Rather than constantly cut corners worrying about cost margins, why not be proactive and look to see how you can bring in more money. Like Jay, I am a dyed-in-the-wool coffee drinker who does not mind paying extra for a good cup of Joe. If the Northfield coffee was good, patrons would buy more than one cup while they are sitting in the simulcast carrels for 6-8 hours at a time. Let's be real. Keith, can you find even ONE person who thinks Northfield's coffee tastes good? No fair getting any of the stable hands whose taste buds were killed off by crystal meth, chewing tobacco or loco weed. |
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Post by thegiss on Mar 18, 2008 10:59:08 GMT -5
In the 9 months I have been here at Northfield Park, there have been 3 comments about coffee (Maybe from the same person). We can change the coffee but we would have to increase the cost we charge. Coffee is the Number One item we sell (by far) and we would be upsetting a whole lot of people by increasing our prices. Keith, your food guy hasn't been at Northfield long enough to know that Northfield patrons don't complain about the products (food, beverage, ) because they have been subjected to so many years of hearing that the food service was contracted out and there was nothing that could be done about the food/beverages, etc. I would venture to say that IF Northfield provided a premium coffee and it actually tasted like a premium, full-bodied cup of coffee, you would get no complaints about the price increase. Rather than constantly cut corners worrying about cost margins, why not be proactive and look to see how you can bring in more money. Like Jay, I am a dyed-in-the-wool coffee drinker who does not mind paying extra for a good cup of Joe. If the Northfield coffee was good, patrons would buy more than one cup while they are sitting in the simulcast carrels for 6-8 hours at a time. Let's be real. Keith, can you find even ONE person who thinks Northfield's coffee tastes good? No fair getting any of the stable hands whose taste buds were killed off by crystal meth, chewing tobacco or loco weed. I have suggested that we begin offering a premium coffee in addition to the current product (I drink neither-- I bring in my own and use a Krups in our office kitchen). This would be a an easy way to test the premise and I am hopeful that Jae R will try it. |
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Post by trackrat on Mar 18, 2008 11:50:18 GMT -5
Keith, psychologically, if a consumer saw the Northfield's wall menu that said:
Regular coffee: $1.00 small, $1.50 large
Premium coffee: $1.50 small, $2.00 large
Chances are that the consumer would pick the premium coffee. It is a well tested marketing theory, that given the choice between an item and a "premium" item, the consumer will opt for the premium IF the cost difference is not outrageous and if there is a discernable difference in the quality of the two versions of the product. Since I already know how bad the regular coffee is, I would buy the premium coffee just to see if it is a better blend.
Worth testing for a couple of weeks.
Thanks Keith.
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Post by thegiss on Mar 18, 2008 12:45:02 GMT -5
Keith, psychologically, if a consumer saw the Northfield's wall menu that said: Regular coffee: $1.00 small, $1.50 large Premium coffee: $1.50 small, $2.00 large Chances are that the consumer would pick the premium coffee. It is a well tested marketing theory, that given the choice between an item and a "premium" item, the consumer will opt for the premium IF the cost difference is not outrageous and if there is a discernable difference in the quality of the two versions of the product. Since I already know how bad the regular coffee is, I would buy the premium coffee just to see if it is a better blend. Worth testing for a couple of weeks. Thanks Keith. Spot on. |
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Post by tautog on Mar 18, 2008 13:21:00 GMT -5
I may be crazy (don"t answer that!!!) but seriously how many people look at prices at the concessions when they are buying food or coffee? Yonkers makes a great burger I haven't a clue what they charge. If we order food at the bar we rarely look at the menu they can rob us blind lol. Meadowlands sells DD coffee at a concession same deal there no idea what it costs.
I think just by Jay buying coffee there will make it a successful financial endeavor ;D
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Post by thegiss on Mar 18, 2008 13:36:46 GMT -5
I may be crazy (don"t answer that!!!) but seriously how many people look at prices at the concessions when they are buying food or coffee? Yonkers makes a great burger I haven't a clue what they charge. If we order food at the bar we rarely look at the menu they can rob us blind lol. Meadowlands sells DD coffee at a concession same deal there no idea what it costs. I think just by Jay buying coffee there will make it a successful financial endeavor ;D So true. And if we can add the Rat to our customer base, our sales will double |
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Post by trackrat on Mar 18, 2008 15:42:35 GMT -5
So true. And if we can add the Rat to our customer base, our sales will double To paraphrase a movie line ["build it and they will come"], serve it (premium coffee) and the Rat will buy it. |
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Post by trackrat on Mar 27, 2008 14:39:49 GMT -5
Doing some surfing today and came upon this site for hot chocolate/cappachino machines. I bet the hot chocolate machine would pay for itself in a couple weeks @$2.00 per cup. www.yourdelight.com/bunn_hot_cocoa.htm |
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Post by jay44224 on Mar 28, 2008 7:19:04 GMT -5
Tautog, As far as looking at the prices on the concession stands - you are probably correct with the regulars - they pretty much know what they are getting - a new person (not to many of those) will look. But everyone knows what they are getting and if the value is there and competitive.
I look at the big picture - lets say a cup of coffee - if I have the urge and I am out and about and I know there is a starbucks around or Arabicca I will pay a little more for the enjoyment of having that cup. A good burger lets see $3 or $4 dollars for a glorified Mc'Donalds Type burger or maybe $6.95 or a little more for a great tasting burger with a good slice of a Kosher pickle on the side - tough choice. Beer $1.75 to $2.50 for domestic is acceptable in almost any establishment without question. A good steak will draw people with a price between $15 and $29 depending on cut and sides. (Look how many people flock to Outback and such for a little more than an average piece of beef)
I do have dinner at the track but only when I do not have time to get a meal on the way of which I always spend a little more and feel like a had a much better meal.
I am sure The Giss will agree - a good cigar is worth a few pennies more than an average one.
Thats my 2 cents
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Post by longshotmike on Mar 28, 2008 11:07:57 GMT -5
In the overall aspect of this topic, I think I can sum things up with this. Northfield can make a bunch of little changes that can go a very long way with its customers, nobody is asking for Valet parking or Kobe beef, its just the need to have the feeling that when you order something you don't have the prior thought of "(sigh) I guess I'll get something from the snack bar and I guess I'll just have to like it I personally would be willing to pay a little extra for whatever if the whatever is worth it. The coffee is down right terrible, motor oil like, and I don't mean to bash it but I just don't think that it would take very much to make improvements. And whatever happened to The Customer Is Always Right?
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