sweetpeasmom
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 2,577
Jun 27, 2014 14:04:01 GMT
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Post by sweetpeasmom on Mar 25, 2023 12:34:47 GMT
Lots of times if I go to a fast food place like Zaxby's, McDonald's or Chick Fil A, I'll order a kids meal. It's enough food for me. Heck, for lunch sometimes I'll order a kids sirloin and salad at Longhorns. Again, it's the right size. If there is a toy with it, I typically tell them no toy. There is a bbq place near us that has a kids rib meal. Comes with 3 bones, a side and a small drink (not kids size, just a small), no toy. For a long time, both dh and I have been ordering this because it's the right portion for us. They do have a 12 and under policy. But they've never made it an issue. Until last night. I ordered and they charged me a la cart.
My question is what difference does it make if I'm 12 or 46 eating a kids meal? I'm not being snarky. I honestly want to know, from a business point of view, what difference it makes?
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twinsmomfla99
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 3,974
Jun 26, 2014 13:42:47 GMT
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Post by twinsmomfla99 on Mar 25, 2023 12:47:21 GMT
I think a kids meal is often a “loss leader” that is intended to get parents in the door, and the real profit is on the adult meal. The restaurant knows that most families are not going to go out to eat with their kids if they have to pay full price.
While the kids meal does contain less food, it still comes with the same overhead cost to prepare and serve it. A kids meal may be 1/3 to 1/2 of the price of the adult meal, but it costs nearly the same to produce it, which means it’s being sold at a loss. With a 12 and under policy, the restaurant makes up some of that loss on the adult meals since the under-12 isn’t dining alone.
ETA: It’s similar to a loss-leader item in a grocery store sale. The store advertises a great price on a few items to get you in the door, knowing that you are going to buy other items while you are there. They often put limits on those items so one person can’t buy them all.
“What difference does it make if I buy 5 or 100? The store is getting the same amount of money whether I buy them or a bunch of others buy them.” No, they aren’t getting the same amount. One person is not going to pick up 20 gallons of milk, 20 loaves of bread, 20 cartons of Pepsi, etc. on that one trip to the store.
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Post by Merge on Mar 25, 2023 13:27:07 GMT
I hear you. We often order kids meals or the “junior” version of whatever. If they want to charge me a la carte, oh well. My goal is to get an appropriate sized meal and an extra buck or two isn’t going to sway me.
DH and I will sometimes split a larger meal and many restaurants have a fee for that as well.
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Post by myshelly on Mar 25, 2023 13:34:49 GMT
Kids meals are often priced at a loss.
They are being offered as a courtesy by the restaurant assuming that you will be ordering adult meals and drinks, which they will make a profit on, in addition to the kids meal, which they won’t make a profit on.
The restaurant can’t afford to give you the kids meal price if you aren’t also ordering adult meals.
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Post by crazy4scraps on Mar 25, 2023 17:04:39 GMT
Back in the day, McDonald’s used to have an All American Meal which was a hamburger (or cheeseburger), a small fry and a small drink, basically the kid’s meal without the toy. It was cheaper than ordering a kid’s meal or the items individually. But I don’t see it on the menu anymore.
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StephDRebel
Drama Llama
Posts: 6,663
Location: Ohio
Jul 5, 2014 1:53:49 GMT
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Post by StephDRebel on Mar 25, 2023 17:35:53 GMT
Back in the day, McDonald’s used to have an All American Meal which was a hamburger (or cheeseburger), a small fry and a small drink, basically the kid’s meal without the toy. It was cheaper than ordering a kid’s meal or the items individually. But I don’t see it on the menu anymore. I always got the all American meal. It's no longer but they have bundles now- it's a 6pc, or I think double cheeseburger or mcchicken and small fry for 3 or 3.50 but it's only at the store, not on the app.
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PLurker
Prolific Pea
Posts: 9,738
Location: Behind the Cheddar Curtain
Jun 28, 2014 3:48:49 GMT
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Post by PLurker on Mar 25, 2023 17:49:25 GMT
Kids meal is my go to when I treat myself to Culver's. Sometimes I trade out the fries for soup. As it fills me up, I usually save the free ice cream coupon for another time, another treat. Win, win.
They never question but I'm also usually in the drive thru so...
I can't say that there's any sit down places that I regularly order a kids meal from. I'd be tempted though,I'm sure. Always too much food.
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Post by lucyg on Mar 25, 2023 18:21:46 GMT
What the others said. They’re trying to get the adults in the door so they can make a living, while keeping the total price affordable for the whole family. I would not order off the children’s menu if it says 12 and under. Order an adult meal and take home your leftovers, or leave them if you don’t want the leftovers. Or split a complete meal with your DH, and resign yourself to the fact that you may have to pay an extra charge for the split plate.
And please tip generously, since you’re basically paying for one meal to feed two people.
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Post by katiekaty on Mar 25, 2023 18:51:29 GMT
I like to order the senior meal. Took me a while to into the idea of it because it took me an idea to deal with reality that most restaurants don’t question anyone just a touch of grey or having an AARP card or being over 55 ordering from that part of the menu. A good portion of food at a reduced priced usually halfway between a regular entree meal price and the price of a kids meal. Just right for an adult.
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iowgirl
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 4,119
Jun 25, 2014 22:52:46 GMT
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Post by iowgirl on Mar 25, 2023 18:56:06 GMT
Back in the day, McDonald’s used to have an All American Meal which was a hamburger (or cheeseburger), a small fry and a small drink, basically the kid’s meal without the toy. It was cheaper than ordering a kid’s meal or the items individually. But I don’t see it on the menu anymore. My go-to at McD's was a small fry, small drink, and a McDouble. It used to be $1 each, so $3. It's more than that now, but that is still my order. But lord, it can be trying sometimes to get them to give me a small drink. All drinks are a $1 and they really want to give me a quart of Coke! I love their Coke (and Sprite and HiC Orange!) .. but I only want a small. I'd drink the entire big one just the same. I only buy the small cans of pop, even though they cost more. I just want a little... and I have no will power...
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snyder
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 3,931
Location: Colorado
Apr 26, 2017 6:14:47 GMT
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Post by snyder on Mar 25, 2023 19:23:06 GMT
Restaurant competition in America got out of hand it still is as I see commerical with the 4 patty burger with 2 types of cheese, 4 strips of bacon, onion rings, tomato, lettuce, onion, poppers and pickles and don't forget the mushrooms. They think the bigger the better and wonder why America has an overweight problem. lol People wouldn't be trying to order kid's meals if there were appropriate portions of their other entrees. Eons ago I was on my way home from work and we were going to a place to have dinner that I knew my grandson would not care for the food being served, (delayed speach and texture issues) so I stopped at McD's and ordered a happy meal. Said I couldn't order one and I said it wasn't for me, but for grandson and they said the child needed to be in the car.
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Post by littlemama on Mar 25, 2023 23:02:51 GMT
Reataurants could always offer appropriately sized meals, but they choose not to. I dont always have a desire or ability to use leftovers and I hate food waste. Dh and ds are fine with restaurant sized meals. I am not, so sometimes if they have decent kids meals (not chix nuggs or mac and cheese), I'll get one. We do takeout, so it isnt a big deal
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Post by Lexica on Mar 25, 2023 23:08:24 GMT
Restaurant competition in America got out of hand it still is as I see commerical with the 4 patty burger with 2 types of cheese, 4 strips of bacon, onion rings, tomato, lettuce, onion, poppers and pickles and don't forget the mushrooms. They think the bigger the better and wonder why America has an overweight problem. lol People wouldn't be trying to order kid's meals if there were appropriate portions of their other entrees. Eons ago I was on my way home from work and we were going to a place to have dinner that I knew my grandson would not care for the food being served, (delayed speach and texture issues) so I stopped at McD's and ordered a happy meal. Said I couldn't order one and I said it wasn't for me, but for grandson and they said the child needed to be in the car. Now that would upset me. I can certainly see if you were sitting alone inside the restaurant and ordered the kids meal like the OP is discussing, but how many parents stop on their way home from the office to get kid’s meals for their little ones? I would think that is a very common occurrence. I have no problem with any restaurant refusing you when you are eating the meal inside, but they should be giving you the benefit of the doubt when you are using the drive through window. Sure, people can order a kid’s meal for themselves via the drive through, but I would bet more often it is situations like yours, taking it home.
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snyder
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 3,931
Location: Colorado
Apr 26, 2017 6:14:47 GMT
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Post by snyder on Mar 25, 2023 23:16:30 GMT
Restaurant competition in America got out of hand it still is as I see commerical with the 4 patty burger with 2 types of cheese, 4 strips of bacon, onion rings, tomato, lettuce, onion, poppers and pickles and don't forget the mushrooms. They think the bigger the better and wonder why America has an overweight problem. lol People wouldn't be trying to order kid's meals if there were appropriate portions of their other entrees. Eons ago I was on my way home from work and we were going to a place to have dinner that I knew my grandson would not care for the food being served, (delayed speach and texture issues) so I stopped at McD's and ordered a happy meal. Said I couldn't order one and I said it wasn't for me, but for grandson and they said the child needed to be in the car. Now that would upset me. I can certainly see if you were sitting alone inside the restaurant and ordered the kids meal like the OP is discussing, but how many parents stop on their way home from the office to get kid’s meals for their little ones? I would think that is a very common occurrence. I have no problem with any restaurant refusing you when you are eating the meal inside, but they should be giving you the benefit of the doubt when you are using the drive through window. Sure, people can order a kid’s meal for themselves via the drive through, but I would bet more often it is situations like yours, taking it home. It was long ago and haven't had to buy a kid's meal in a very long time, so could be different. Come to think about it, my son does occasionally pick up food for my mom when he goes to see her. He said its always more food than she will eat and she refuses to eat reheated meat, so she insists on him eating part of it with her. He's never said anything about anyone saying he couldn't get a kids meal. Maybe they are more understanding now a days.
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