restaurant/coupon etiquette

Yes sir, all of the time. I appreciate the input!

 

Is this the place? http://www.corkbistro.com/

I'll have to put that on my list the next time we head that way. Food looks great!

 

I have managed restaurants, big chains and mom and pop's, just like blackhawke said, as a friend he should be offering you a discount anyway, if he is not then you have every right to use the groupons. No matter the sales the store does, they should have some sort of budget or amount they can write off. If they are a good restaurant (which it looks and sounds like it) that amount will be higher because, well they are successful and making money. If you are a good friend, he should be discounting your food already. That being said, everyone I knew that would come in, weren't what I would consider a good friend.

 

The majority of restaurants mark up their booze much more than their food, booze is usually 40-60% sometimes even more and food is generally priced at a 23%-40% mark up over cost including labor and overhead.

While a lot of the sites like Groupon or other online sites do take a commission out of the sales the restaurant is still being compensated for the coupon, plus they expect that you will buy more than the value of the deal. And also hopefully they will get repeat business from how much you enjoyed your visit. I'm of the opinion that if he is a good enough friend that you are concerned about using something like Groupon that he should be giving you a discount of at least the amount on the Groupon voucher. I would say go for it if you're not getting a discount already.

 

Yip, yip. You got it! Do you live around Charleston (the place is in North Charleston)?

I've had plenty of comped drinks/desserts/apps in there over the past few years. The neighborhood I live in is very tight knit, so everybody knows everybody...he would go under if he gave everybody he knows a discount. We don't get to hang out like we did before he bought the business, had kids, etc., so we aren't exactly "best buds." Just good friends.

 

Thanks again everyone. As I said, we aren't blood brothers or anything but still...you know, I just wanted to make sure I'm not being a DB.

 

This. Send your other friends and pass on word mouth.