Restaurant owners are a fickle bunch. They basically dedicate themselves to a lifestyle, toiling away long hours to make a living. Yet one thing they all seem to agree on is kids need to be watched.
Let’s think about making a pizza. For purposes of this post, let’s assume the owner has $6 profit on every pie sold. And let’s assume re-upholstering a booth costs $1000, or 166 pizzas. One hundred sixty six pizzas. That’s a lot of dough.
Is it any surprise restaurant owners bristle when the soccer team comes in for a celebratory pizza and jump up on the upholstered seats with their cleats on?
To be clear, the restaurant owner wants the soccer team to come celebrate and have a nice time. What restaurant owners do not understand is why parents allow their kids to “run free” in their restaurant.
Many owners are hesitant to say anything as they don’t want to offend the parents. However, if a running child knocks down an elderly patron, who is at fault? The child’s parents or the proprietor.
We recently saw a funny sign at a restaurant we frequent. While keeping with the theme of the restaurant it gives parents a subtle hint at appropriate behavior.
I celebrate this. It’s only common sense, and something some parents seem to lose when they go out with children.
To be clear, I am not suggesting children be “little angels.” It’s just they can have a nice time without destroying the efforts of others.
What’s your view?