Can ‘Surge Pricing’ Really Take Off at Restaurants?

I think these are some intriguing ideas - especially offering less expensive while same quality/quantity dishes at off-peak times. The discounts leading to less waste are a major plus, too.

In principle, it sounds like a good idea. But I couldn’t really tell whether the lower prices would be pre-set (like cheap matinees) or fluid (like flash sales). The former appeals to me; the latter does not.

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I can see both. That Super Bowl example was a good one IMO.

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Oh, I agree. And I’m not opposed to that strategy. I’m just unlikely to base a decision about where to eat on what’s suddenly on sale. But who knows, I could be converted.

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Chez Panisse has been doing a form of that for years.

http://www.chezpanisse.com/menus/restaurant-menu/

Happy-hour menus are the same idea, especially at places that have them both early and late.

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As you can imagine, in Reno there are generally two happy hours due to the 24/7 nature of the casinos.